Junior Professor Position in Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics – Université d’Évry / I-Stem

The Université d’Évry Paris-Saclay is recruiting a Junior Professor (Chaire de Professeur Junior – CPJ) to join the Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics team at I-Stem, Corbeil-Essonnes, France.

Admin details :
Job no. 253173
Sections: 64 – Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; 65 – Cell Biology; 69 – Neurosciences
Contract: 3-year fixed-term contract, renewable
Research location: I-Stem, 28 rue Henri Desbruères, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
Teaching location: Université d’Évry, UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées, Évry-Courcouronnes, France

This position offers an opportunity to develop an independent research programme at the interface of human pluripotent stem cell biology, neurodevelopment, neuronal network plasticity and innovative therapeutic strategies.

Research environment

The Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics team at I-Stem develops differentiation protocols from human pluripotent stem cells to generate a broad range of neural cell types and neuronal populations.

Our research aims to reproduce key stages of human neurodevelopment and brain plasticity in vitro, using both two-dimensional cultures and advanced three-dimensional models, including brain organoids.

These models are used to investigate the consequences of disease-causing genetic variants associated with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Current research programmes notably focus on:

• genetic forms of autism spectrum disorder, including SHANK3-associated disorders;
• Lesch-Nyhan disease, caused by HGPRT deficiency;
• neurological manifestations associated with muscular dystrophies, including Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies caused by mutations in the DMD gene.

The team combines disease modelling with high-throughput and high-content screening to identify pharmacological compounds capable of correcting disease-associated cellular phenotypes. In collaboration with clinicians and industrial partners, promising therapeutic strategies are subsequently evaluated for their translational potential.

The research project

Under the supervision of the team leader, the successful candidate will exploit the unique properties of human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESCs and hiPSCs) to develop physiologically relevant neuronal network models and investigate the mechanisms regulating neuronal network plasticity.

The project will combine fundamental studies of neural development and plasticity with the development of therapeutic approaches, including small-molecule drug discovery, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and viral vector-based gene therapy strategies.

The Junior Professor will be encouraged to establish a distinctive scientific programme and develop collaborations across the academic, clinical and biotechnology communities.

Main research activities

The successful candidate will contribute to several complementary areas of research:

• Development of 2D and 3D human pluripotent stem cell-derived models representing distinct embryonic brain regions.
• Characterisation of the consequences of disease-associated loss-of-function mutations and protein deficiencies.
• Investigation of neuronal network plasticity in healthy and pathological models using advanced imaging and electrophysiological approaches, including multi-electrode array recordings.
• Molecular characterisation of neuronal network plasticity using multi-omics, biochemical and molecular biology approaches.
• Evaluation of pharmacological compounds and gene therapy strategies for their ability to rescue disease-associated cellular and functional phenotypes.
• Development of translational research programmes designed to advance therapeutic candidates toward clinical applications.
• Establishment of collaborative projects with academic, clinical and industrial partners in the fields of neurodevelopmental disorders, regenerative medicine and advanced therapies.

Candidate profile

We are seeking a scientist with strong expertise in human pluripotent stem cell biology and neuroscience.

Candidates should have demonstrated experience with hESCs and/or hiPSCs and their differentiation toward neural lineages, together with a solid background in developmental neurobiology, neuronal plasticity or the modelling of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Experience with advanced cellular models, including 3D cultures and brain organoids, is particularly relevant.

Expertise in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• electrophysiology, including multi-electrode arrays or patch-clamp;
• cellular and functional imaging;
• transcriptomics and other omics technologies;
• genome engineering using CRISPR/Cas9;
• gene therapy;
• antisense oligonucleotide-based therapeutic approaches.

Applicants are expected to have a strong scientific track record, including publications in international peer-reviewed journals and substantial postdoctoral research experience.

Teaching

The teaching activities associated with the position will cover fundamental and applied aspects of:

cell biology, molecular biology, physiology, therapeutic development and clinical applications.

Teaching will primarily contribute to programmes within the Université Paris-Saclay Graduate School Life Sciences and Health, particularly the Master’s programmes in Biologie-Santé and BTCG – Biothérapies Tissulaires, Cellulaires et Géniques.

The position therefore provides an opportunity to combine high-level research with the training of Master’s students in rapidly developing areas of biotechnology, cell and gene therapy, neuroscience and regenerative medicine.

A multidisciplinary and translational environment

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary environment bringing together expertise in:

stem cell biology • neurodevelopment • disease modelling • functional genomics • electrophysiology • high-content screening • pharmacology • gene therapy • translational research

The position is particularly suited to scientists interested in working at the interface between fundamental neuroscience and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for rare neurological, neurodevelopmental and neuromuscular disorders.

Practical information

Position: Junior Professor – Chaire de Professeur Junior
Institution: Université d’Évry Paris-Saclay
Offer number: 253173
Academic unit: UFR Sciences Fondamentales et Appliquées
Research laboratory: I-Stem
Research team: Neuroplasticity and Therapeutics
Research location: 28 rue Henri Desbruères, 91100 Corbeil-Essonnes, France
Teaching location: Université d’Évry, Évry-Courcouronnes, France
Contract: 3-year fixed-term contract, renewable
Research fields: Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Biological Sciences, Biology, Medical Sciences and Technology

More information about the research team is available at:
https://istem.eu/en/neuroplasticity-therapeutic/

Contacts

For scientific questions concerning the research project:

Dr Alexandra Benchoua
abenchoua@istem.fr

For questions concerning teaching:

Prof. Christelle Monville
cmonville@istem.fr

Researchers with expertise in human pluripotent stem cells, neural differentiation, brain organoids, neurodevelopment, neuronal network physiology or advanced therapeutic approaches are encouraged to consider this opportunity and circulate the announcement within their networks.