SmartAge ESR project 3
Host: Cherry Biotech, France
Secondments: University Hospital Jena, Germany / University of Vienna, Austria
Cherry Biotech, France (head of project: Dr. Pierre Gaudriault), offers a PhD position for an Early-Stage Researcher (ESR) for the project: Development of a microfluidic perfusion-station (gut-on-a-chip). The position is part of the EU-funded Innovative Training Network (ITN) SmartAge (“Gut-brain-axis: Targets for improvement of cognition in the elderly”) with full-time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in March 2021.
Objective of the project: High-resolution microscopy coupled to live-cell analysis is a state-of-the-art technique for deciphering basic cellular mechanisms. Observing living cells on a microscope requires control of environmental parameters such as temperature, flow rate, nutrients and inflammation to analyse immediate and long term physiological effects. The ESR will develop an automated microfluidic advice allowing for precise control of intestinal micro-environment. An Organ-on-a-chip is a microfluidic 3D cell culture device. Here, the living intestinal epithelium (mice and humans) will be analysed by modifying several factors: co-culture with commensal microbes (useful and harmful ones) and immune cells, flow rate pattern (mimicked peristalsis), temperature and also after addition of metformin and oat β-glucans. The objective of this study is the development of a micro-engineered model mimics the features of an aged gut (increased inflammation, decreased peristalsis) to test our interventions with respect to gut permeability and inflammaging.
The PhD student will join a multidisciplinary team of 15 people with 7 Nationalities passionate about our missions, helping each other, and adapting to all situations. to be at the forefront, our mission is to develop the most advanced technological platform for predicting the impact of molecules (drug, endocrine perturbators, cosmetic, etc.) on the human body to better treat pathologies (orphan diseases, cancer, bacterial resistance, virus pandemic). Moreover, this platform is an alternative to ineffective animal models by combining new microfluidic technology, artificial intelligence, and most advanced imaging techniques.
Our culture: To succeed in our mission, we have also built a strong culture based on 3 major axes which combine:
– Sense of humor with performance, a taste for effort and surpassing oneself
– Respect for the chain of command with sincere feedback in both directions
– Speed of execution with the pleasure of sharing time with everyone
Requirements for the applicant: We expect a Master´s degree (or equivalent) in computational science and Informatics technology. Furthermore, the applicant should be able to perform team-oriented as well as independent work. Desirable methodological skills: excellent background in computational language (python, C++, java), signal processing, knowledge in artificial intelligence and a strong interest for biology.
Very good language skills in English are required.
Please note the eligibility criteria for researchers: Candidates must be in the first four years of his/her research career, not have a doctoral degree, and not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
Selection process: Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e-mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarized in one pdf) to . Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 30 November 2020.
For more information concerning the research project please contact Dr. Pierre Gaudriault (email: ).