Research Engineer / Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) – 24 months – Biostatistics and Multi-Omics Data

SFBI; Rouen; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The INSERM U1311 DYNAMICURE unit at Rouen invites applications for a Research Engineer or Postdoctoral Researcher in Biostatistics to join the MICROBIOSTHME project on severe infant asthma and preschool wheeze. The position is 24 months starting early 2027, based on Rouen campus with access to NGS and HPC resources.

Responsibilities include analysis of metatranscriptomic and transcriptomic data, multi-omic integration, longitudinal modeling, biomarker discovery, and co-supervision of students;

Qualifications

• PhD in biostatistics, computational biology, mathematics, or an equivalent field.
• Strong proficiency in R (required) and good skills in Python, the Linux/Bash environment, and the use of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.
• Experience in NGS data analysis (RNA-seq, metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics) and multivariate statistics.

Responsibilities

• Analysis of respiratory metatranscriptomic data.
• Analysis of human transcriptomic data from the same samples.
• Statistical integration of multi-omic data (metatranscriptomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical data).
• Development of statistical models for the analysis of longitudinal data.
• Identification of microbial and immune biomarkers associated with different endotypes of preschool wheezing.
• Development of predictive models using statistical learning and machine learning.
• Authoring articles for leading international journals and presenting at conferences.
• Co-supervising master’s students or interns.

Skills

R programming

Python

Linux/Bash

HPC

Education

PhD in biostatistics

Tools

R

Python

HPC clusters

Job description

Research Engineer / Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) – 24 months – Biostatistics and Multi-Omics Data

Biostatistics, Metatranscriptomics, Respiratory microbiome, Transcriptomics, Mixed models, Longitudinal data, Preschool wheezing, Inflammation, Biomarkers, Modeling, Translational research

Description

Job description
Organization: INSERM U1311 DYNAMICURE – Rouen School of Health Sciences (University of Rouen Normandy)
Project: MICROBIOSTHME (Severe Infant Asthma / Preschool Wheezing)
Contract type: Fixed-Term Contract for Postdoctoral Researcher / Research Engineer (24 months)
Starting Date: Early 2027
Workload: 100%
Principal Investigators: Dr Chervin Hassel
Keywords: Biostatistics, Metatranscriptomics, Respiratory microbiome, Transcriptomics, Mixed models, Longitudinal data, Preschool wheezing, Inflammation, Biomarkers, Modeling, Translational research.

Working laboratory:
INSERM U1311 DYNAMICURE is a research unit spanning two towns (University of Rouen Normandy and University of Caen Normandy). It specializes in the study of respiratory and urinary tract infections, their associated microbiomes, and host–microorganism interactions. The unit develops translational research approaches combining microbiology, genomics, immunology, bioinformatics, and clinical research. It benefits from a state-of-the-art technological environment (Asgard NGS platforms, HPC computing clusters).

Job description:
The INSERM 1311 DYNAMICURE unit is recruiting a research engineer or postdoctoral researcher specializing in biostatistics. He or she will participate in the MICROBIOSTHME project, a translational research project aimed at understanding the role of the respiratory microbiota and immune responses in the pathophysiology of severe asthma in infants (preschool wheeze). This project is based on a prospective, multicenter cohort of 100 infants followed for one year, from whom upper and lower respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavages, and sputum) are collected. The project generates more than 1,000 respiratory samples, metatranscriptomic data (microbiome and host), proteomic profiles (Olink), and longitudinal clinical data, providing a unique platform for the development of statistical approaches and multi-omic integration.
The candidate will be based at UMR 1311 DYNAMICURE on the Rouen campus of the University of Rouen Normandy (Rouen School of Health Sciences, CRRIS research building, 22 Boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen). The position is available starting in early 2027 for a term of 24 months, and funding has already been secured. The project began in 2022 and has since involved the establishment of a prospective cohort, obtaining regulatory approvals, and developing metatranscriptomics and bioinformatics analysis techniques through a doctoral program. Thirty percent of the omics data has already been generated and will be available for the candidate to work with upon arrival.

Responsibilities

• Analysis of respiratory metatranscriptomic data.
• Analysis of human transcriptomic data from the same samples.
• Statistical integration of multi-omic data (metatranscriptomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and clinical data).
• Development of statistical models for the analysis of longitudinal data.
• Identification of microbial and immune biomarkers associated with different endotypes of preschool wheezing.
• Development of predictive models using statistical learning and machine learning.
• Authoring articles for leading international journals and presenting at conferences.
• Co-supervising master’s students or interns.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in biostatistics, computational biology, mathematics, or an equivalent field.
• Programming: very strong proficiency in R (required) and good skills in Python, the Linux/Bash environment, and the use of high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.
• Experience in NGS data analysis (RNA-seq, metagenomics, or metatranscriptomics) and multivariate statistics.

Also valued

• Experience in multi-omic data integration.
• Experience in microbiome or metagenomic analysis.
• Experience in machine learning applied to biological data.

Scientific and Work Environment

The candidate will work in a highly multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with microbiologists, immunologists, pediatric pulmonologists, and bioinformaticians. He or she will have access to a clinical cohort that is unique in France, as well as high-throughput sequencing and high-performance computing infrastructure. The candidate will have a high degree of scientific autonomy and will be encouraged to propose new methodological or statistical approaches to make the best use of the data generated by the project.

Living conditions

Located just 1 hour and 15 minutes from Paris, Rouen is the capital of Normandy and a metropolitan area with more than 500,000 residents. A dynamic university city, it offers an excellent balance between quality of life and a vibrant academic environment, with a cost of living significantly lower than that of the Paris region. Its historic center, ranked among the most remarkable in France, its numerous cultural facilities, its natural spaces, and its proximity to the Normandy coast (less than an hour away) make it a particularly attractive place to live. Rouen also benefits from excellent rail connections to Paris and the rest of Normandy.
The University of Rouen Normandy is home to nearly 30,000 students and conducts renowned research in the fields of health, life sciences, and technology. The Health Campus brings together the Health Faculty (UFR Santé), the Rouen University Hospital (CHU), and several INSERM units, providing an environment particularly conducive to translational research.

For further information regarding the position or the research project, please contact:
Chervin Hassel (PhD)
Associate Professor – University of Rouen Normandy - [e-mail]