Post-doc: Tumor hierarchy and microRNAs in Drosophila

A post-doctoral position (2 years + renewable 1 year)in molecular biology is open for recruitment within the “Neural stem cell plasticity” team led by Cédric Maurange at the IBDM, to study how microRNAs regulate the cellular hierarchy of pediatric tumors.

The successful candidate will work on a pediatric brain tumor model developed in Drosophila (PMID: 27296804 ; PMID: 31566561 ; PMID: 35544555). He/she will use a new technology developed by the team enabling in vivo isolation of microRNAs expressed at different stages of the cell hierarchy. Bioinformatic analysis of the microRNAs will enable us to identify modules specifically targeting the regulators of the tumor cell hierarchy. The generation of “multi-sponge” transgenic lines will enable inactivation of the microRNA module targeting the regulators of the cell hierarchy. This study will provide proof of concept that the inactivation of microRNA modules can be used as a therapeutic means of controlling tumor cell hierarchy with a view to eliminating cancer stem cells.

The post-doc will benefit from the scientific environment of IBDM (https://www.ibdm.univ-amu.fr/), a world-renowned institute working on embryonic development and associated diseases.

Activities

– Drosophila genetics
– Purification of microRNAs
– Cloning
– Basic bioinformatics analysis
– Immunolabeling and confocal microscopy analysis.

Progress reports will be presented regularly in English at team meetings and scientific conferences.

Skills

In addition to their own motivation and enthusiasm to participate in the advancement of scientific knowledge, the successful candidate must possess the following skills or experience:

Skills required:
– Proficiency in molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, cloning, immunochemistry, immunoprecipitation).
– Solid knowledge of cell biology, developmental biology and cancer.
– Ability to discuss and write in English.

Skills appreciated but not mandatory:
– Drosophila genetics
– Bioinformatics (sequencing data alignment, enrichments etc)

Profile required:
– Recent PhD in molecular biology
– Good communication skills
– Ability to work as part of a team, and to listen and make suggestions.
– Self-motivated.

Work Context

Located on the Luminy Campus in Marseille, in the heart of the Parc National des Calanques, IBDM employs around 240 permanent researchers, professors, engineers and technicians, as well as non-permanent staff on fixed-term contracts, post-docs, PhD students and trainees, spread across 21 research teams and 11 technical platforms and services.
IBDM is a joint research unit under the supervision of CNRS and AMU, exploring the field of developmental biology and associated pathologies.
The position will be based in the “Neural stem cell plasticity” team, headed by Cédric Maurange (cedric.maurange@univ-amu.fr).

Neural stem cell plasticity

As the team is made up of several nationalities, fluency in English is essential.