Postdoctoral Position - HIV 1 Innate Sensing (F/M)

Imagine - Institut des maladies génétiques; Paris; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Imagine - Institut des maladies génétiques in Paris invites applications for a postdoctoral project on lipid metabolism, HIV-1 sensing, and dendritic cell pathways. The work combines lipidomics, scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, and computational analyses to understand antiviral immunity.

We seek a PhD in Immunology, Virology, or related field with a strong publication record and experience with primary human immune cells. Proficiency in flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blotting or CRISPR is expected.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology, Virology, Cell Biology, or a closely related field.
• Strong publication record relative to career stage.
• Experience with primary human immune cell culture (e.g., dendritic cells, macrophages, PBMCs).
• Expertise in molecular and cellular biology techniques such as Flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blotting, CRISPR-based approaches.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Characterize HIV-1-induced alterations in lipid metabolism and signaling in human dendritic cells.
• Investigate how lipid metabolism influences HIV-1 replication, innate sensing, and type I interferon responses.
• Employ lipidomics, scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, and systems biology analyses.

Education

PhD in Immunology/Virology/Cell Biology

Tools

Flow cytometry

qPCR

Western blotting

CRISPR-based approaches

Job description

The SCInflaNet laboratory, led by Dr. Mickaël Ménager, investigates the molecular mechanisms controlling inflammatory responses using advanced single-cell and multi-omics approaches.

https://www.institutimagine.org/en/mickael-menager-187

Research Project: Lipid Metabolism, Innate Sensing of HIV-1, and Pathways Engaged by Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical sensors of viral infection and orchestrators of adaptive immunity. However, HIV-1 has evolved mechanisms that largely evade detection by these cells, limiting antiviral immune responses and facilitating viral spread.

Recent work from our laboratory identified an unexpected link between HIV-1 infection, lipid metabolism and type I interferon production in dendritic cells. Building on these findings, this postdoctoral project aims to uncover how lipid metabolic pathways regulate HIV-1 sensing and antiviral immunity.

The successful candidate will:

• Characterize HIV-1-induced alterations in lipid metabolism and lipid-mediated signaling pathways in human dendritic cells.

• Investigate how lipid metabolism influences:

  • HIV-1 replication,

  • innate viral sensing mechanisms,

  • type I interferon responses.

• Employ cutting-edge approaches including:

  • lipidomics,

  • scRNA-seq,

  • scATAC-seq,

  • systems biology and computational analyses.

What we offer:

• A vibrant and international research environment at Institut Imagine.

• Access to world-class technological platforms, including:

  • Single-cell genomics,

  • Flow cytometry,

  • Advanced imaging,

  • Bioinformatics support,

  • BSL-3 facilities.

• Strong mentoring and career development opportunities.

• Support for conference attendance, networking, and grant-writing activities.

• Competitive salary according to institutional scales.

• The opportunity to live and work in Paris, one of Europe's leading scientific hubs.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Immunology, Virology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field.

• Strong publication record relative to career stage.

• Experience with primary human immune cell culture (e.g., dendritic cells, macrophages, PBMCs).

• Expertise in molecular and cellular biology techniques such as:

  • Flow cytometry,

  • qPCR,

  • Western blotting,

  • CRISPR-based approaches.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in HIV-1 or retrovirology research.

• Experience working in BSL-3 environments.

• Knowledge of lipid metabolism and/or lipidomics.

• Experience with single-cell omics technologies.

• Computational and bioinformatics skills (R, Python, Seurat, Scanpy).