Job offer: 2-year post-doctoral position in Montpellier University (09/23-09/25)

PEPR CARN (BBIT) – Development of biotherapies based on the local delivery of therapeutic RNAs by hybrid functionalized extracellular vesicles (EVs) for musculoskeletal regeneration

Description

CARN project (PEPR) aims at developing bio-drugs using EVs and synthetic lipid vesicles as RNAs delivery systems for skeleton regeneration. Indeed, besides their intrinsic content, EV need to be “improved” to achieve optimal therapeutic effect. Therapeutic RNAs including microRNAs (miRNA, small, non-coding, regulatory but unstable nucleosides) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are part of the therapeutic arsenal for tissue regeneration. To allow for efficient RNA vectorization, lipid nanoparticles currently act as key actors, but also exposed limits. In this context, CARN project aims at combining the delivery potential of EV with the RNA loading capacities of lipid nanoparticles. The obtained hybrid delivery systems will be validated on relevant in vitro and in vivo targets in our partner teams (P2 and P5). In short, CARN focuses on developing the next generation of RNA delivery system based on RNA encapsulation in biologically active EVs.

Work environment

The post doctoral fellow will evolve in a highly recognized consortium of 6 labs gathering multidisciplinary expertise and technologies: (P1) MSC Med / IVETh industrial integrator (CNRS/Université Paris Cité); (P2) Inserm UMR 1229, Regenerative medicine and Skeleton RMeS; (P3) Inserm UMS 55-ART ARNm, Université d’Orléans; (P4) Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, UMR CNRS 8612; (P5) ICGM UMR CNRS/UM 5253; (P6) IRMB Inserm U1183, Montpellier. In practice, most of the experimental work will be carried out on ICGM premises in Montpellier.

She/he will be in charge of EV hybrid’s formulation and characterization (physico-chemical, biochemical and biological characterization), with a special care on drug loading and identification of formed subpopulations. For this, she/he will rely on a set of high cutting edge tools available at ICGM and in our partners’s laboratories (access to IVeth integrator).

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow trained to formulation and characterization of lipid nanoparticles and nucleic acids. An expertise in different processes used to produce the nanoparticles, especially microfluidics, will be appreciated. To work in this consortium, good communication skills and team spirit will be necessary, as well as a high level of personal motivation, excellent time management skills and the ability to be creative and discerning.

Contact (Deadline 1st July 2023)

Please send a curriculum vitae, a description of your research experience, a statement of your research interests, and the names of three referees to:
Marie Morille
Pôle Chimie Balard Recherche, CNRS Occitanie Est,

1919 Route de Mende,
34293 MONTPELLIER cedex 5
Tel : +33 (0)4 48 79 20 89
Mail : marie.morille@umontpellier.fr