Postdoctoral position on FGFR3-related disorders and aging - Paris, France - INSTITUT IMAGINE

Description

About us

The Imagine Institute (IHU, 'Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire', INSERM U1163) is a recent research structure located within Necker Children's Hospital (Paris).

Its research labs are focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms of genetic diseases that affect the adaptive and innate immune systems, the skeletal dysplasia, the nervous system, stem cell differentiation, kidney physiology, metabolism, etc.

Imagine offers a unique environment in which clinical and basic science synergize to produce astonishing contributions in areas as diverse as osteochondrodysplasia, immunology, molecular genetics, cell biology, and clinical and translational research.

Imagine is internationally recognized ensuring high-quality, well-published, multi-disciplinary research.

Mission

Presentation :

A postdoctoral position is available in the laboratory of Molecular and physiopathological bases of osteochondrodysplasia, led by Dr Laurence Legeai-Mallet, to define the impact of FGFR3 signaling alterations on bone functions and premature aging.

The laboratory studies rare skeletal disorders affecting bone and/or cartilage formation from early embryonic development until adulthood. The team is conducting pre-clinical studies to test and identify drugs able to correct long bone growth plate, craniofacial and spine anomalies in FGFR3-related animal models.

Project :

The project is designed to define the cellular and molecular regulatory pathways involved in these effects, to decipher the complexity of multi-systemic impairments in FGFR3-associated disorders and to the development novel potent therapeutic approaches for adult FGFR3-related patients and premature bone aging.

Characterize the impact of FGFR3 mutation in skeleton, bone repair and aging. The objective is to explore the functional impact of Fgfr3N534K/+ mutation on bone physiology, repair and aging using mouse models of ubiquitous or bone selective expression of this mutation. To this end, it will perform deep bone phenotyping approaches paired with molecular, morphometric studies to understand the ageing-associated bone pathologies in this monogenic disorder associated with early onset osteoporosis.

Investigate the therapeutic potential of FGFR3 antagonists in bone disorders and premature aging. Using Fgfr3N534K/+ adult animals, our preliminary data suggest that subcutaneous administration of FGFR3 antagonists modified the balance bone formation/bone remodeling. The objective is to better define the mechanisms of action of FGFR3 antagonists, to screen novel potent drugs and to test their therapeutic potential on osteochondrodysplasia and bone premature aging.

Profile

Profile : We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with solid experience in molecular and cell biology, and in mouse model. The candidate must have a PhD in a relevant field. The candidate must be self-motivated, organized, creative, able to work independently, to lead the project, to optimize and/or develop new study systems, to communicate and to work effectively with the team and external collaborators. The candidate must be fluent in English.

Contract : The position is offered for two years with salary depending on experience

Application : Please send a concise cover letter with a summary of previous and current research activity, detailed curriculum vitae, and the contact information (to be contacted only with the expression permission of the candidate) for two references