Translational Pharmacology & Microbiology intern

Eligo Bioscience; Paris; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A biotechnology company based in Paris is seeking a Translational Pharmacology intern. This role involves developing preclinical models to test Eligobiotics, performing microbiological assays, and applying molecular biology techniques. Ideal candidates are Master's or Engineering students with a background in microbiology or related fields and strong micro techniques. Excellent communication skills in English are essential, and prior experience with skin models is desirable.

Qualifications

• Strong foundation in microbiology techniques including sterile handling and plating.
• Experience with PCR-based methods and DNA/RNA extraction.
• Familiarity with microbial community characterization is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Set up microbiome models relevant to human skin for Eligobiotic testing.
• Apply Eligobiotics to the models and evaluate impact on bacteria.
• Perform molecular biology techniques to analyze microbial composition.

Connaissances

Microbiology techniques

Molecular biology methods

Communication in English

Formation

Master's or Engineering student in related life sciences

Description du poste

Overview

Join our Translational Pharmacology team, based in Paris, as an intern (for a minimum period of 5 months) and contribute to the development of innovative preclinical models to test the efficacy of Eligobiotics. You will be supervised by a translational scientist specialized in skin immunology and microbiology, and work closely with an international team at the interface of microbiology and drug development.

Eligo Bioscience develops a new class of biotherapeutics called Eligobiotics that enable precision-editing of the microbiome. These phage-derived particles deliver synthetic DNA payloads into bacteria in situ. Eligobiotics are developed for three types of applications:

1. Sequence-specific antimicrobials: Eligobiotics deliver a DNA payload into specific bacteria, which then express a CRISPR-Cas complex. An RNA guides the CRISPR-Cas complex to a specific complementary DNA sequence (target sequence), causing double-strand breaks and the subsequent death of the bacteria. Only bacteria carrying the specific target DNA sequence are killed, while other bacteria remain intact.
2. Gene editing: Eligobiotics deliver a DNA payload into specific bacteria, which then express a base editor complex. An RNA guide steers the base editor complex to a specific complementary DNA sequence (target sequence), leading to the substitution of a selected nucleotide with another. Specific mutations can be introduced without killing the bacteria.
3. Function addition to the microbiome: Eligobiotics deliver a DNA payload into specific bacteria, which then express one or multiple transgenes of interest. The protein of interest is typically a therapeutic protein.

Responsibilities

During the internship, you will contribute to the development and optimization of ex vivo preclinical models to evaluate the performance of Eligobiotics. This will involve:

• Setting up microbiome models relevant to human skin for Eligobiotic testing
• Applying Eligobiotics to these models and evaluating impact on commensal bacteria and drug delivery
• Carrying out microbiological assays such as plating, colony-forming unit (CFU) quantification, and bacterial isolation
• Performing molecular biology techniques (e.g., (dd)PCR, NGS sequencing) to analyze microbial composition and characterize microbial communities in human-derived samples, thereby supporting model design and validation

Applicant profile

• Master’s or Engineering student in microbiology, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomedical sciences, or a related life sciences field (from an EU country)
• Strong foundation in microbiology techniques (sterile handling, plating, CFU counting, bacterial isolation)
• Experience with molecular biology methods (PCR based methods, DNA/RNA extraction and purification); familiarity with microbial community characterization is a plus
• Prior exposure to skin models, tissue explants, or human-derived samples is desirable
• Comfortable working in a multi-disciplinary and international environment, with excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written)
• Demonstrated autonomy, initiative, adaptability, and team spirit
• Motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to contribute to translational drug development research