Postdoctoral position in virology
You will be welcomed in the Virology Joined Research Unit (UMR Virologie 1161) managed by INRAe (French National Institute for Agricultural Research), ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety) and ENVA (National veterinary school of Alfort) that is located at the veterinary school at Maisons-Alfort, close to Paris (Metro line 8). This unit is composed of five research groups studying several viruses of importance for animal and/or human health. One of the main objectives of the unit is to better understand virus/host interactions at the molecular and cellular level and to identify factors contributing to interspecies transmission of these viruses of interest.
A 2-year postdoctoral fellowship funded by the French national research agency (ANR) is available within the « Enteric Viruses and Species Barrier » team that studies two viral families causing emerging zoonosis: hepatitis E viruses (HEV) and coronaviruses (CoV). The group investigates particularly the reservoirs (domestic and wild fauna) and the routes of transmission (foodborne and environmental) of these zoonotic viruses. An important objective is also to characterise the interactions between these viruses and the innate immune system and to identify virulence factors involved in species barrier crossing. The team is funded by projects from the National Agency for Research (ANR) (EPICOREM and HEVISTAR), the National Agency for AIDS and viral hepatitis Research (ANRS) and European projects (PREDEMICS, ICRAD MUSECOV and CoVetLab projects).
You will be hired as a post-doc to work on a research project funded by the ANR “EMERCOV”. The main objective is to assess the ability of bat coronaviruses to evade human & bat innate immune response. You will focus on identifying viral proteins able to counteract the interferon system in bat and/or human cells and characterising the underlying mechanism responsible for this antagonist function. You will also be involved in the investigation of the physiopathology and modes of transmission of this coronavirus using in vivo models. This project will take place in collaboration with Meriadeg Le Gouil (Université de Caen Normandie) and Nolwenn Jouvenet (Institut Pasteur).
You will use molecular and cellular biology techniques such as cloning, cell culture, luciferase-based reporter assays, gene silencing, lentiviral expression system, viral infections, immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting.
You will be in charge of:
– Designing, optimising and implementing the techniques required for the project.
– Processing and analysing samples from in vitro experiments.
– Scientific and technological monitoring.
– Data analysis (result analysis, interpretation and validation) using appropriate software.
– Promoting and communicating the results of this project in English by writing scientific papers and presenting oral communications.
Special conditions of activity: Work in biosafety level 3 laboratories.
TRAINING AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Required training: PhD in biological sciences
Knowledge required: Cellular biology, virology, biochemistry, molecular biology and laboratory
biosafety regulations.
Appreciated experience: Expertise in cellular biology, molecular biology, virology, immunology and
dedicated software.
Skills sought: Motivation, rigour, excellent communication skills to interact with multiple persons,
planning skills, ability to adapt easily to new environment and to act independently and take
initiatives.
Reception modalities
Unit: UMR Virologie 1161
Postal code + city: 94700 Maisons-Alfort
Type of contract: CDD
Duration of the contract: 24 months
Starting date: Beginning of 2025
Remuneration: (depending on experience)
How to apply
Send a motivation letter end a CV to : Sophie Le Poder and Virginie Doceul
sophie.lepoder@vet-alfort.fr
virginie.doceul@vet-alfort.fr
Par postal way:
UMR Virologie 1161 INRAE-ANSES-ENVA
Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort
Bâtiment Bressou
7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle
94700 MAISONS-ALFORT
FRANCE
