PhD position – Antigen–RNA complexes and immune tolerance in cancer vaccination

INSERM; France; On-site; EUR 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

IRCAN – Inserm / CNRS / Université Côte d’Azur in Nice invites applications for a 3-year fully funded doctoral contract. The project focuses on therapeutic vaccination against established cancers using antigen–RNA complexes to overcome immune tolerance.

You will work with state-of-the-art immunology and RNA biology techniques, including cell culture, RT-qPCR, imaging and flow cytometry, in a collaborative, multilingual team. English proficiency is required; nationality open.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in life sciences or equivalent, with hands-on laboratory experience.
• Hands-on laboratory experience is required.
• Experience in cell culture, RT-qPCR and protein analysis is desirable.
• Knowledge of immunology and RNA biology, as well as experience in imaging, flow cytometry or RNA and protein biochemistry, would be an asset.
• Candidates should demonstrate scientific rigour, critical thinking, organisational skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and a good command of written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Characterise the cellular and molecular determinants of immunogenicity for antigen–RNA complexes, including the innate sensors engaged and responsive cell types.
• Determine how these determinants shape antigen presentation and therapeutic efficacy in preclinical tumour models.

Skills

Cell culture

RT-qPCR

Protein analysis

Immunology

RNA biology

Imaging

Flow cytometry

Education

Master degree in life sciences

Job description

Organisation/Company INSERM Department IRCAN – Équipe Patrick Brest Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Medical sciences » Cancer research Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number IHU RespirERA” France 2030 program # ANR-23-IHU-0007 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A 3-year doctoral contract is available at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging of Nice (IRCAN – Inserm / CNRS / Université Côte d’Azur), within the University Hospital Institute RespirERA (IHU RespirERA), supported by the France 2030 programme.

Therapeutic vaccination against established cancers remains limited by immune tolerance to self antigens. Complexes associating a protein antigen with an RNA component can engage innate nucleic acid sensing pathways and may help overcome this tolerance, but the determinants of their immunogenicity are still poorly defined.

This project aims to:

• Characterise the cellular and molecular determinants of immunogenicity for antigen–RNA complexes, including the innate sensors engaged, the responsive cell types and the contribution of the RNA component.
• Determine how these determinants shape antigen presentation and therapeutic efficacy in preclinical tumour models, and assess their potential as a broader vaccine platform.

Approaches

Reporter cell lines and primary immune cells, imaging and flow cytometry, in vitro RNA and protein biochemistry, preclinical tumour models and immune monitoring.

Candidate profile

• Master’s degree (M2 or equivalent) in life sciences, including cell or molecular biology, immunology or cancer biology, with hands-on laboratory experience.
• Skills in cell culture, RT-qPCR and protein analysis are an asset.
• Experience in immunology, RNA biology, imaging, flow cytometry or RNA and protein biochemistry will be highly valued.
• Rigour, autonomy, critical thinking and team spirit.
• Good command of English.

Funding and employment conditions

A 3-year, full-time doctoral contract funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under France 2030 – IHU RespirERA (ANR-23-IHU-0007).

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree (M2 or equivalent) in cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, cancer biology, or a related life sciences discipline by the start of the contract.

Hands-on laboratory experience is required. Experience in cell culture, RT-qPCR and protein analysis is desirable. Knowledge of immunology and RNA biology, as well as experience in imaging, flow cytometry or RNA and protein biochemistry, would be an asset.

Candidates should demonstrate scientific rigour, critical thinking, organisational skills, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and a good command of written and spoken English.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages FRENCH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7284 / INSERM U1081 / IHU RespirERA Country France State/Province France Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur City NICE (06000) Postal Code 06107 Nice Cedex 02 Street 28 Avenue de Valombrose Geofield