Open Call: Research Group Leaders at the interface of evolution, development and physiology

IGFL Lyon, France

The Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon (IGFL) is a unique scientific environment where teams address basic research questions at the interfaces of evolution, physiology and development, using functional genomics, bioinformatics, genetics, imaging, and comparative approaches. The institute houses diverse conventional and emerging animal models, with a focus on integrative, organism-level research.  The environment fosters rich intellectual exchanges and collaborations, supported by excellent facilities/services on campus. The IGFL is part of the vibrant research community of the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon encouraging interdisciplinary collaborations with neighboring institutes on campus. The institute is international and the working language is English.

We have openings for up to three independent group leader positions (junior or established). Talented scientists with research programs falling within the scientific scope of the Institute are encouraged to apply. We are seeking to increase the number of women team leaders and we strongly encourage applications from women scientists.

The institute will provide a financial package to establish each team (‘seed money’). Teams will also benefit from a fully equipped laboratory for up to 10 people and furnished office spaces. The IGFL will support the selected candidates to secure a research position in France and research funding. Candidates who already hold a position in France, both junior and established, are welcome to apply. Junior candidates should be eligible for start-up programs (ERC Starting Grant, ATIP-Avenir, or equivalent).

The institute is housed in a dedicated building situated on the ENS de Lyon campus in Gerland. It comprises approx. 100 members, including recipients of international and national distinctions. The Institute benefits from in-house or on-campus access to state-of-the-art core services, including high throughput sequencing technologies (including single cell and spatial transcriptomics), advanced microscopy facilities, X-ray microtomography and morphometrics, transgenic animal facilities, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, proteomics and cell sorting and analysis. See http://igfl.ens-lyon.fr/ and http:// www.sfr-biosciences.fr/ for details. Access to platforms is subsidized for IGFL teams and the institute also applies a policy of zero cost associated with using in-house equipment.

Applications should be in English and must include curriculum vitae, a short description of achievements and records of self-financing, a proposed research program of maximum 5 pages and contact details for 3 professional references.

Applications must be sent as a single PDF saved as LASTNAME_IGFL_CALL.pdf to groupleadercall.igfl@ens-lyon.fr. We will be happy to provide further information on the interview process and selection criteria; enquiries can be sent to the same email address.

There is no fixed deadline for applications; the call will remain open until all the available positions are filled. Candidates will be evaluated in two waves per year, in the summer (applications received by early May) and winter (applications received by early November), with interviews held in Lyon in July and in January, respectively.