International PhD Position France - Brasil (M/F) in Immunology & Structural Biology

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research organization in France is seeking a motivated PhD researcher to investigate the role of post-translational modifications and protein interactions in lung inflammation and fibrosis. The position involves international collaboration with teams in Brazil and France, utilizing techniques from structural biology to biochemistry. A Master's degree in a relevant field and experience in related methodologies are required. Good English skills are essential, with additional languages being a plus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• Strong interest in molecular immunology and lung disease.
• Experience in protein expression/purification or related techniques.
• Motivation to work in an international environment.
• Good English communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Investigate how PTMs and protein interactions regulate immune pathways.
• Combine structural biology and biochemistry to assess immune signaling.
• Conduct research embedded in a Franco-Brazilian collaboration.

Connaissances

Protein expression/purification

Structural biology

Cell culture

Immunological assays

Animal models

Transcriptomics

Good English communication

Formation

Master's degree in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Immunology, or related fields

Outils

X-ray crystallography

Cryo-EM

Biochemical assays

Metabolic profiling

High-content imaging

Description du poste

Biological sciences » Biological engineering

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Physics » Biophysics Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 11 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This three-year international PhD, funded by a CNRS MITI (Mission pour les Initiatives Transverses et Interdisciplinaires) doctoral contract, is conducted in co-tutelle (double degree) between the University of Orléans (France) and USP (Brazil). The project involves the immunology teams of Dr Nicolas Riteau and Prof Larissa Dias da Cunha in Brasil and the biochemistry/structural biology team led by Dr Bertrand Castaing and Dr Marcin J. Suskiewicz in France. The mobility is planned with the first and last year in Brazil, and the second year in France.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycosylation, and SUMOylation, are key regulators of protein function, shaping immune signaling and inflammation. Dysregulated PTMs are increasingly linked to pulmonary diseases of infectious and non-infectious origin, yet remain underexplored. Protein function is also shaped by noncovalent oligomerisation and other protein:protein interactions, but these often are poorly understood as well.

The PhD project will investigate how PTMs and noncovalent protein interactions regulate innate immune pathways relevant to lung inflammation and fibrosis. The student will combine structural biology, protein biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology to assess how these processes influence immune signaling proteins and their role in models of pulmonary disease. The research is embedded in a Franco–Brazilian collaboration at the interface of immunology and structural biology, providing exposure to complementary expertise and cutting-edge methodologies.

The methods explored in the project include: biochemical and cellular assays in macrophages and other immune cell types; preclinical models of respiratory inflammation and fibrosis; transcriptomic and imaging approaches (RNA-seq), high-content imaging (ImageStream), and metabolic profiling (Seahorse); recombinant protein engineering; structural biology techniques: X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM

Candidate profile

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Immunology, or related fields.
• Strong interest in molecular immunology and lung disease.
• Experience in one or more of: protein expression/purification, structural biology, cell culture, immunological assays, animal models, or transcriptomics.
• Motivation to work in a highly international and multidisciplinary environment.
• Good English communication skills (French and/or Portuguese a plus, not mandatory).

How to apply

1. Motivation letter (1 page).
2. CV with research experience and skills.
3. Academic transcripts (Bachelor's + Master's).
4. Contact details of two referees.

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering