Doctoral Candidate (PhD student position) / DC9 for MSCA Doctoral Network “Brain Health in Meno[...]

Institute National De La Santé Et De La Recherche Médicale; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in France is offering a PhD position focused on the study of microbiome-epigenome-nutrition interactions in menopause. This role involves analyzing metagenomics data and modeling microbiome communities to understand their impact on cognitive health. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field and possess strong programming skills in Python or MATLAB. The position offers a fully funded fellowship under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program.

Prestations

Fully funded MSCA fellowship

Network-wide training

International conference participation

Interdisciplinary training

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate must have a Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Good programming skills in Python or MATLAB required.
• Very good language skills in English are mandatory.

Responsabilités

• Analyze metagenomics data using statistical methods.
• Build personalized microbiome community models.
• Integrate findings with clinical and cognitive parameters.

Connaissances

Programming skills in Python

Programming skills in MATLAB

Knowledge of biochemistry

Experience with COBRA

Formation

Master's degree or equivalent in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Institute National De La Santé Et De La Recherche Médicale Department Division for Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure Research Field Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 30 Nov 2025 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number MenoBrain-DC9 Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227102 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Division for Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure at Inserm, Lorraine, France offers a PhD position for a doctoral candidate/MSCA fellow for the project: “Microbiome-epigenome-nutrition interactions in menopause and their links with cognition.” The position is part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain “Brain Health in Menopausal Women” with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in February 2026.

Objective of the project:This project focusses on the relationship between the gut microbiome, epigenetic regulation of metabolism, and cognitive health in menopausal women. Metagenomics data from a cohort of pre-and postmenopausal women will be analyzed through constraint-based modeling combined with metabolomics, proteomics, methylome sequencing, and statistical methods. Briefly, the project will use the AGORA2 resource of genome-scale metabolic reconstructions to build personalized microbiome community models of participants. Microbiome community models will be integrated with a human genome-scale reconstruction combining both metabolism and regulation. Finally, predicted metabolic fluxes will be correlated with clinical and cognitive parameters to gain mechanistic insight into the gut-brain axis in the context of menopause.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Computer science Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Requirements for the applicant: The ideal applicant has a master’s degree or equivalent in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, or a similar field. The candidate should have good programming skills in Python or MATLAB, and ideally R. Good knowledge of biochemistry and metabolism is also desirable. Experience in Constraint-Based Reconstruction and Analysis (COBRA) is of advantage. The applicant should be able to work both independently and in a team. Very good language skills in English are required.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Computer science

Additional Information

What we offer: We offer a fully funded MSCA fellowship with network-wide training weeks, summer schools, international conference participation, and interdisciplinary training through secondments (Kiel, Vilnius). The candidate will join the Inserm institute NGERE, which focusses on the role of metabolism and the epigenome in complex diseases and during the course of life, and is located in the vibrant city of Nancy.

Salary and allowances are provided according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) funding rules, including mobility and, if applicable, family allowances.

Eligibility criteria

MSCA eligibility (must-have): At the time of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, must not hold a doctoral degree, and must not have resided in France or carried out their main activity (work or study) there for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date.

Selection process

Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarized in one pdf) to [e-mail] . Please indicate the DC position (DC9) you are applying for. Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered. Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 30 November 2025.