Postdoctoral Fellow – Viral Infections, Brain Organoids & Neuroimmune Interactions

The Mechanisms and Therapy of Genetic Brain Diseases team (Dr. Michela Deleidi, Imagine Institute, Paris) is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow in Cell Biology to join the ViroBrain consortium (involving IRIM Montpellier, Imagine Institute, Institut Pasteur, ICM Paris), a research program investigating how viral infections impact brain function and neuroimmune interactions. Our laboratory develops advanced bioengineering systems, including human brain organoids and organ-on-chip platforms, to model disease-relevant pathways in neurodegenerative disorders. These models incorporate immune cells and endothelial components to recreate the neurovascular and neuroimmune environment, providing a powerful platform to study how external factors affect brain health. As part of this project, we aim to uncover the mechanisms by which viruses affect the brain, with a particular focus on their long-term neurodegenerative consequences. These pathogens, which exhibit varying degrees of neurotropism, represent an underestimated threat to neurological health. Using our cutting-edge models, we will investigate how viral infections disrupt brain homeostasis, activate inflammatory pathways, and alter neuronal function, ultimately providing insights that may guide future therapeutic strategies.

Your Role

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:

• Generate human iPSC-derived brain organoids and complex co-culture systems.
• Incorporate immune cells into organoid models and perform infection studies in close collaboration with consortium virology teams.
• Apply advanced imaging techniques (confocal, light-sheet microscopy) and a range of cell biology assays to assess infection patterns, neuroinflammatory responses, and neuronal integrity.
• Conduct single-cell transcriptomic and image-based analyses to dissect cell-type-specific responses to viral infections.

Profile:

We are looking for a highly motivated scientist with:

• A PhD in Cell Biology, Neuroscience, Virology, or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience with human iPSC culture and differentiation; prior experience with brain organoids or other 3D cultures is highly desirable.
• Strong expertise in cell-based assays, advanced microscopy (confocal/light-sheet), and molecular biology techniques.
• Experience working with viral infections and familiarity with BSL2/BSL3 environments is an advantage.
• A keen interest in neurobiology, virology, and host-pathogen interactions, combined with a collaborative mindset and strong problem-solving skills.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing preparedness against emerging viral threats and advancing our understanding of virus-induced neurological disorders using cutting-edge human brain models. The role provides excellent opportunities to work within a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary biomedical environment, engaging with distinguished scientists, physicians, and physician-scientists, and to become a valued member of a collegial and expanding research team. As part of the Imagine Institute and the Paris scientific community, the successful candidate will be immersed in a vibrant environment rich in stem cell biology, virology, molecular biology, and advanced imaging technologies. The annual salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and institutional guidelines.

Please note that the formal advertisement and job description may appear quite generic; for any questions or further information, feel free to contact me directly at michela.deleidi@institutimagine.org.

to: michela.deleidi@institutimagine.org

Language: English is the working language; French proficiency is not required.
Closing date: September 15th 2025