Post-doctoral position « DC-based therapeutic approach against prostate cancer»

Inserm / VRI; Créteil; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading immunology research institute in Île-de-France is seeking a researcher to develop prostate cancer vaccines. The role involves collaboration to evaluate vaccine candidates and assess therapeutic efficacy using animal models. Candidates should have a PhD in Immunology and two years of research experience, with expertise in immunological techniques and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in an academic research laboratory.
• Authorization to handle laboratory animals is required.
• High level of rigor and organizational skills.

Responsabilités

• Develop prostate cancer vaccines using AI-based tools.
• Evaluate immunogenicity and perform immune responses analysis.
• Assess the therapeutic potential of vaccines in tumor-bearing mice.

Connaissances

Cell culture techniques

Immunological techniques

Office and bioinformatics tools

Teamwork

Effective communication

Formation

PhD in Immunology, Cellular or Molecular Biology

Outils

Flow cytometry

Luminex

ELISA

ELISpot

Prism

FlowJo

SnapGene

Description du poste

Position and assignments

Research Project Summary

The recruited researcher at the VRI will be responsible for adapting the laboratory’s vaccine approaches, specifically the targeting of vaccine antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs), to induce lymphocyte responses against prostate cancer and to demonstrate the protective effect of these responses using preclinical models. The candidate will explore the impact of adjuvants, combinations with other immunotherapies, and optimization of vaccination regimens. Vaccine efficacy will be assessed through a dual approach, both prophylactic and therapeutic, to prevent the onset of cancer or treat established disease.

Missions

• Development of prostate cancer vaccines: In collaboration with VRI “DC Vaccine” division, the researcher will propose prostate cancer antigens (PCA) of interest, selected through literature review, whose fusion to anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies (CD40.PCA) will be validated using AI-based structural prediction tools (e.g., AlphaFold).
• Evaluation of immunogenicity: In collaboration with VRI “Preclinical” division, the candidate will immunize hCD40 transgenic mice with various CD40.PCA vaccine candidates, with or without adjuvant (poly-ICLC), followed by analysis of immune responses (ELISpot, flow cytometry, multiplex ELISA); perform in vitro expansion of circulating memory T lymphocytes from patients with advanced-stage disease.
• Evaluation of therapeutic efficacy: The researcher will assess the therapeutic potential of the vaccine by administering it to tumor‑bearing mice (TRAMP‑C1 ectopic model), either alone or in combination with adjuvants and immunomodulatory antibodies, to measure tumor regression and CD8⁺ T cell activation in tumor and lymphoid tissues.

Geographic mobility

European

Telework: Occasional

Starting date

01-01

Profile

Position Constraints

• Work in a confined laboratory environment (L1 / L2) and in an animal facility.
• Regular interactions with collaborating research teams.

Competencies

• Authorization to handle laboratory animals.
• Strong theoretical and practical background in cell culture and immunological techniques (flow cytometry, Luminex, ELISA, ELISpot).
• Proficiency with office and bioinformatics tools (Prism, FlowJo, SnapGene).
• High level of rigor, organizational skills, autonomy, and effective communication and teamwork abilities.
• Ability to ensure task follow-up and manage laboratory supplies and reagents.
• A good command of English is required.

Personal Qualities

• Leadership and ability to supervise students.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Required Education and Professional Experience

• PhD in Immunology, Cellular or Molecular Biology.
• At least two years of experience in an academic research laboratory.

Goals

• Decipher the immune profiling of vaccine candidates in vivo (mouse models) and in vitro (human PBMCs).
• Characterize tumor-bearing mouse models to assess disease progression and therapeutic response.
• Propose and develop initial DC-based therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer immunotherapy.