Postdoctoral Fellow in Translational Cancer Biology

Université de Caen Normandie; France; Sur place; EUR 36 000 - 48 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Université de Caen Normandie, Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE – François Baclesse Comprehensive Cancer Center, Caen, France, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow for the RESTOR project. You will study UBE2N inhibition to restore sensitivity to DNA-damaging therapies in ovarian, pancreatic and head & neck cancers, using PDTOs, PDXs and cellular models.

The role combines cancer biology, DNA damage response, functional precision oncology and translational preclinical research within a

Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology or closely related discipline.
• Strong background in translational cancer research.
• Experience with in vivo experiments in mice, preferably including PDX models.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture; 3D culture systems, organoids, spheroids or primary cultures desirable.
• Solid knowledge of DNA damage response, repair, HR, replication stress or genome stability.
• Experience in pharmacological studies and evaluation of anticancer treatments desirable.
• Ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary consortium.
• Excellent scientific English, written and spoken.

Responsabilités

• Characterize DNA damage response, HR, replication stress and fork stability.
• Evaluate combinations of UBE2N inhibitors with platinum-based therapy, PARP inhibitors and radiotherapy.
• Validate findings in PDTO and PDX models.
• Investigate mechanisms of treatment resistance.
• Identify molecular determinants and predictive biomarkers of response.
• Perform transcriptomic and functional genomics analyses with consortium partners.

Connaissances

PhD in cancer biology

Translational oncology

In vivo mouse work

PDX models

Organoid culture

English proficiency

Formation

PhD or equivalent in related field

Outils

Molecular biology techniques

Bioinformatics basics

Organoid platforms

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université de Caen Normandie Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 3 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 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

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE at the François Baclesse Comprehensive Cancer Center in Caen, France, and contribute to the RESTOR project (Restoring sensitivity to DNA-damaging therapies through UBE2N inhibition), funded by the French National Cancer Institute (INCa). RESTOR aims to develop an innovative therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance to DNA-damaging treatments through inhibition of UBE2N, a key regulator of DNA repair, replication fork stability and genome integrity. The project investigates whether UBE2N inhibition can induce a therapeutically exploitable homologous recombination-deficient (HRD)-like phenotype and restore sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors and radiotherapy. The successful candidate will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying UBE2N inhibition and its therapeutic effects using patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs), patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and cellular models from ovarian cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The project combines mechanistic cancer biology, DNA damage response, functional precision oncology, pharmacology, functional genomics and translational preclinical research.

The candidate will contribute to:

• characterization of DNA damage response, homologous recombination, replication stress and replication fork stability;
• evaluation of combinations of UBE2N inhibitors with platinum-based chemotherapy, PARP inhibitors and radiotherapy;
• functional validation in PDTO and PDX models;
• investigation of mechanisms of treatment resistance;
• identification of molecular determinants and predictive biomarkers of treatment response;
• transcriptomic and functional genomics analyses in collaboration with consortium partners.

The position offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary translational cancer research environment. The postdoctoral fellow will interact with cancer biologists, clinicians, bioinformaticians and technology platforms within a consortium involving research teams in Caen and Lille.

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology or a closely related discipline.
• Strong background in translational cancer research.
• Demonstrated experience with in vivo experiments in mice, preferably including patient‑derived xenograft (PDX) models.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture; experience with 3D culture systems, organoids, spheroids or primary cultures is highly desirable.
• Solid knowledge of DNA damage response, DNA repair, homologous recombination, replication stress and/or genome stability.
• Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques.
• Experience in pharmacological studies and/or evaluation of anticancer treatment combinations is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and to interact effectively within a multidisciplinary research consortium.
• Strong organizational, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent scientific English, written and spoken.

Specific Requirements

• The candidate must have obtained their PhD less than three years before the starting date of the postdoctoral contract.
• Practical experience with in vivo mouse experimentation is required.
• Experience with PDX models is strongly desirable.
• Experience with patient‑derived tumor organoids is considered an advantage.
• Knowledge or practical experience in cancer immunology and/or immuno‑oncology would be considered a strong advantage, particularly regarding STING signaling, the tumor microenvironment or antitumor immune responses.
• Experience with transcriptomics, bioinformatics or functional genomics would be considered an asset.
• The candidate must be able to work autonomously while contributing effectively to a collaborative, multidisciplinary project.

Research experience

Biological sciences - Cancer biology / Molecular biology / Translational oncology: 1-4 years

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Biological sciences Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

36-month full-time postdoctoral position at Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE, François Baclesse Comprehensive Cancer Center, Caen, France.

• Work within ORGAPRED, an IBiSA‑labelled and ISO9001‑certified tumor organoid research platform.
• Access to clinically annotated patient‑derived tumor models, including PDTOs and PDXs.
• Access to advanced technologies for functional precision oncology, imaging, drug screening and molecular characterization.
• Interaction with clinicians, cancer biologists, bioinformaticians and technology platforms within a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Participation in consortium meetings, scientific conferences and dissemination activities.
• Opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and future research projects.

Eligibility criteria

• Candidates must: hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in cancer biology, molecular biology, cell biology, pharmacology or a related discipline;
• have obtained their PhD less than three years before 01/03/2027;
• have documented experience in experimental cancer research;
• have practical experience with in vivo mouse experimentation;
• demonstrate the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• have sufficient proficiency in written and spoken scientific English.

Selection process

• academic and research background;
• relevance of previous research experience to the RESTOR project;
• practical expertise in cancer biology and in vivo experimentation;
• experience with PDTO/PDX models and/or DNA repair biology;
• scientific publications and research achievements;
• ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary research environment;
• motivation and interest in the proposed research.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with the research team. The final selection will be based on the candidate's qualifications, research experience, motivation and suitability for the project.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Université de Caen Normandie - Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE – François Baclesse Comprehensive Cancer Center Country France City Caen Postal Code 14076 Street 3 avenue du général Harris Geofield