Biologie à France

Position: Post-doctoral Position

Deadline: 24 December 2025

Contract Length: one year renewable

City: Paris

Country: France

Department: Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology

Description:

Postdoctoral position to study how the early life environment controls synapse diversification and mammalian brain development and function

The Selimi Lab (www.fekrijeselimilab.com) at CIRB-Collège de France is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral scientist to lead a project that aims to understand the interplay between the early life environment, neuronal activity, synapse diversification during postnatal development and the long-term functioning of the mammalian brain at the synapse-specific level.

Brain function relies on the development of complex neuronal circuits and specific synapses. Mutations in synaptic protein genes and environmental factors such as early life adversity are major factors in the etiology of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. The cerebellum’s involvement in a broad range of cognitive functions, beyond its well-known role in motor coordination and adaptation, is now recognized. Our research using cerebellar Purkinje cells as a model has recently shown that synapse diversity is generated in a stepwise manner during postnatal development and that each synapse type follows specific rules for its specification (Paul et al. Nat. Neurosci. 2025; Veleanu et al. PNAS 2022). In addition, some synapse types might be more sensitive to changes in neuronal activity during the postnatal period (Paul et al. Nat Neurosci. 2025).

Stemming from this work, our project, funded by the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, is to unravel the molecular factors, in particular epigenetic factors, that underlie these synapse-specific rules and the impact of the early life environment on brain circuit development and function. Using neuron- and synapse-specific approaches in mice, in combination with a broad range of molecular, biochemical and imaging techniques, you will dissect how early life adversity modulates epigenetic marks in the mouse cerebellum, and the relationship with the development of molecular synapse identity and neural circuitry.

Profile

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with a strong interest in neurobiology and/or epigenetics and:

• A PhD in Life Sciences.
• Experience in molecular and cellular biology, experience in epigenomics and/or bioinformatic analysis of “omics” data is a plus.
• Experience with animal experimentation, more specifically mouse models.

We offer

• A world-class research environment, with various opportunities to broaden your expertise, in the middle of the Latin quarter in Paris and surrounded by other top research institutes (Curie Institute, Ecole Normale Supérieure, …), operating at an international level.
• A salary based on expertise and experience according to the CNRS salary grid.
• Financial support is available for at least 2 years. However, the successful candidate is encouraged to apply for a fellowship (Marie-Curie, HFSP, EMBO, or National funding organizations).
• Starting Date: as soon as possible

How to apply

Please send a detailed CV, including a list of publications, a motivation letter, and the contact information of three referees.

11 Place Marcelin Berthelot, Paris, France