Post-doc Position in population dynamics, PDE/PBPK models

ESMTB - European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

ESMTB - European Society for Mathematical and Theoretical Biology offers a postdoctoral position for projects on reproductive biology and ecotoxicology at INRIA Saclay, starting between January and March 2025. The role involves enriching qAOP models, designing simulations, and assessing reprotoxic effects.

Applications are welcome until 31 Oct 2024. The position is positioned for researchers from applied mathematics to biological sciences.

Responsabilités

• Enrich a qAOP model through coupling various models relevant to reproductive biology.
• Design numerical schemes for simulations in physiological and toxicological contexts.
• Interpret models for reprotoxic effects, focusing on long-term impacts.
• Optional qualitative analysis of model behaviors relevant to reproductive function.

Description du poste

Positional Overview

The postdoctoral position is open in the framework of two projects led by MUSCA, the OVOPAUSE ANR project and the OVOTOX FC3R project, gathering researchers from different institutions and scientific backgrounds (applied mathematics, developmental and reproductive biology, ecotoxicology). The contract is expected to start at the beginning of year 2025, from January to March.

Location

INRIA Saclay.

Closing Date

31 Oct 2024

Responsibilities

• Enrich a qAOP model developed by the hosting team and collaborators. The first task is to couple a size‑structured (PDE‑based) mechanistic model of oogenesis, considering all maturation stages and their control, with a physiologically‑based pharmacokinetic (compartmental ODE‑based) model representing the hormonal dynamics within the reproductive (hypothalamo‑pituitary‑gonadal) axis. This coupling will be based on careful mapping of functions involved in the different models, addition of missing variables when needed, and, when possible, timescale separation to enforce model parsimony.
• Design appropriate numerical schemes to simulate the coupled model in both physiological and toxicological situations (exposure to endocrine disruptors). Perform extensive parameter estimation and sensitivity/identifiability analysis.
• Interpret the calibrated coupled models to assess reprotoxic effects in detail, with particular focus on long‑term effects and on rebound/compensation mechanisms affecting the oocyte population and hormonal feedback loops.
• Optionally, undertake a qualitative analysis of the coupled model to explore the structural influence of parameters on model behaviour and the associated impact on reproductive function.

References

• G. Ballif, F. Clément and R. Yvinec, Nonlinear compartmental modeling to monitor ovarian follicle population dynamics on the whole lifespan, J. Math. Biol., 89:9, 2024.
• C. Bonnet, K. Chahour, F. Clément, M. Postel, R. Yvinec. Multiscale population dynamics in reproductive biology: singular perturbation reduction in deterministic and stochastic models. ESAIM Proc. Surveys, 67: 72‑99, 2020.
• R.B. Conolly, G.T. Ankley, W.Y. Cheng, M.L. Mayo, D.H. Miller, E.J. Perkins, D.L. Villeneuve, K.H. Watanabe. Quantitative adverse outcome pathways and their application to predictive toxicology. Environ. Sci. Technol., 51(8):4661‑4672, 2017.
• T.-K. Ly, J. De Oliveira, E. Chadili, K. Le Menach, H. Budzinski, A. James, N. Hinfray, R. Beaudouin. Imazalil and prochloraz toxicokinetics in fish probed by a physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model, 04 December 2023 (preprint available at 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3580808).
• A. Pery, J. Devillers, C. Brochot, E. Mombelli, O. Palluel, B. Piccini, F. Brion, R. Beaudouin. A Physiologically‑Based Toxicokinetic Model for the Zebrafish Danio rerio. Environ. Sci. Technol., 55848: 781‑790, 2014.