Postdoc Positions

Offer Description

Duration: 18 months

UMR: Intertryp in Montpellier

Employer description

As a French institute for international scientific research, the IRD (Institut de recherche pour le développement) contributes to strengthening the resilience of societies in the face of global change. The Institute is present in more than 50 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, as well as in mainland France and the French Overseas Territories.

Its research activities address priority needs in practical ways, including climate change mitigation and adaptation, the fight against poverty and inequalities, biodiversity conservation, access to healthcare, and understanding social dynamics. Research questions are developed together with stakeholders in the field and local communities. Our teams bring together different perspectives, disciplines and forms of knowledge through long-term partnerships to build robust, high-impact solutions.

The research unit you will join

UMR Intertryp (IRD/Cirad/Univ Montpellier) is a research unit dedicated to combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), in particular those caused by trypanosomatids, with the aim of improving human and animal health.

Our research focuses on an integrated study of humans, animals, vectors and parasites and their interactions through a One Health approach, addressing in particular trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis and Chagas disease in order to improve the control and elimination of these NTDs. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre (for HAT) and a WOAH Reference Laboratory (for Animal Trypanosomoses).

An exciting research position

Under the supervision of a researcher holding an academic position called “Junior Professor Chair”, and the co-supervision of the Director of the Research Unit, your mission will focus on the discovery of new drugs for Chagas disease.

You will contribute to the discovery and development of new drugs targeting the protozoan parasite T. cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease.

There are currently two antiparasitic drugs available: benznidazole and nifurtimox, which have similar chemical structures. Both are effective during the acute phase of infection, but their efficacy is reduced and they may cause toxicity when administered during the chronic phase, which is the stage at which most diagnosed patients are found.

The position will involve research aimed at understanding the pathogenesis mechanisms associated with infection, in order to identify new therapeutic targets and enable targeted drug development. It will also involve the design and development of new phenotypic biological assays for the unbiased identification of potent and specific inhibitors of parasite replication.

Your main activities will include:

• Applying knowledge of chemistry and synthetic chemistry to the synthesis of compounds based on structure activity relationship (SAR) studies.
• Maintaining host cell cultures and parasite life cycles, including genetically modified parasites, in a biosafety laboratory (L3 laboratory) at the Agropolis Campus of the IRD in Montpellier.
• Designing and implementing biological assays for the evaluation of anti-T. cruzi compounds.
• Investigating the mechanisms of action of identified compounds and their potential relationship with changes in pathogenicity during infection.
• Analyzing and presenting results at internal research unit meetings and at national and international conferences, as well as writing original research articles and literature reviews.

Your future team

You will join a research unit comprising around 60 staff members, with expertise spanning a range of disciplines, including parasitology, genomics, genetics, epidemiology, ecology and entomology.

Together with our partners, we conduct research across four continents: Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Your work will be carried out primarily in the L3 laboratory located on the IRD Agropolis Campus in Montpellier.

Where to apply

Website: https://emploi-recrutement.ird.fr/offre-de-emploi/emploi-chercheur-lutte-contre…

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

You have developed the following skills and expertise:

• Experience in chemical synthesis and medicinal chemistry approaches.
• Experience in handling cell cultures, as well as conducting and developing biological assays involving T. cruzi.
• Proven experience in writing and publishing original research articles.
• Experience in preparing and submitting scientific research proposals would be an advantage.
• English: C1 level. Knowledge of Spanish at B2–C1 level would be an additional asset.

You have the following personal qualities:

• Curiosity.
• Ability to work independently.
• Team spirit and collaborative skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and implement solutions.

We are looking for a candidate who will complete our team by bringing in-depth expertise in chemistry. Candidates with postdoctoral experience in multidisciplinary projects combining chemistry and biology and aimed at discovering new antiparasitic chemical entities will be particularly considered, especially those with previous experience in T. cruzi research and Chagas disease.

You hold a PhD in chemical, biochemical or biomedical sciences, together with at least two years of postdoctoral research experience.

Languages

English: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

Throughout your career at IRD, the Institute will support you in developing your skills and professional career.

IRD provides a range of tools and opportunities, including a digital onboarding program, access to continuing professional development and training, career development and mobility opportunities.

Depending on the activities associated with the position, IRD offers the possibility of teleworking one to three days per week. The activities associated with this position are compatible with teleworking.

By joining IRD, you will benefit from:

• 32 days of annual leave + 13 RTT days for full-time staff working 38.5 hours per week.
• Access to collective catering facilities.
• Optional annual membership of the Association des Œuvres Sociales, providing access to holiday, leisure, sports and cultural activities.
• Membership of the MGEN supplementary social protection scheme, providing comprehensive health and welfare coverage.
• A pleasant working environment close to nature, served by Tram Line 5, accessible by bicycle and benefiting from a car-sharing scheme under a mobility agreement with the Montpellier metropolitan authority.

Website for additional job details: https://emploi-recrutement.ird.fr/offre-de-emploi/emploi-chercheur-lutte-contre…

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: IRD

Country: France

Contact

State/Province: Occitanie

City: Montpellier

Website: https://www.ird.fr/occitanie

Street: 911 Avenue Agropolis, 34394 Montpellier

Postal Code: 34000