PRR Project

Summary

The selected candidate will be expected to bring strong and innovative research value to reinforce the scientific interests and strategy of the Cancer integrative program of i3S. Applicants must hold a PhD in Health/Life Sciences, or related areas for 5 or more years, an excellent scientific track record, and are expected to contribute to the mission of i3S by: a) contributing to develop highly innovative research projects in basic, translational and clinical research in life and health sciences, in the framework of Cancer integrative program research groups; b) promoting knowledge and technology transfer; c) supporting advanced training by participating in graduate and PhD programs, supervising PhD, Master and other students, and by promoting advanced training courses; and d) increasing science awareness by participating in the i3S educational program and outreach activities.The mission of the Cancer integrative program at i3S is to translate cutting-edge fundamental science into knowledge and practical benefit for cancer patients. Cancer is a major health concern and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Numbers are expected to rise due to, among other factors, aging of the population. Thus, cancer research is a crucial field of action in health sciences. Through major discoveries in fundamental and translational research, the Cancer integrative program at i3S has established an international reputation in the fields of gastrointestinal, endocrine and breast cancer, hereditary cancer, cancer glycobiology, cancer molecular genetics, cell division and cell cycle control. Reflecting this international status, the integrative program has developed new prognostic, diagnostic and treatment tools by identifying: risk factors and molecular mechanisms that trigger cancer; molecules involved in cell growth and invasion; biomarkers for therapy stratification; and new molecular targets and vehicles for treatment. The Cancer integrative program includes 23 research groups working on molecular and cellular biology, oncobiology, pathology, metabolism, cancer genetics and population genetics, in association with groups working on bioengineering. The groups routinely use cancer cell-lines, organoids, and animal models such as zebrafish, fruit fly and mice, and recur to live imaging, advanced microscopy, high-throughput genomics and proteomics and gene manipulation. The Cancer Integrative Program aims to bolster its research environment by cultivating a vibrant and diverse team, recognizing the pivotal importance of attracting and retaining Assistant Researchers.This Assistant Researcher position will be attributed to an outstanding candidate working in cancer research, in one or more of the following strategic areas: 1) Genomics and Precision Oncology: identification of genetic mechanisms predisposing to or involved in cancer initiation and progression and/or therapy response; 2) Epigenetic Reprogramming: identification of cancer reprogramming mechanisms involving transcription factors, small molecules, microRNAs and exosomes, and evaluation of the their potential value as drug targets in pre-clinical models; 3) Phenotypic Plasticity and Cellular Differentiation: characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer phenotypic plasticity namely response to therapies; 4) Glycomics: identification and characterization of glycosylation-mediated mechanisms involved in cancer initiation and progression and assessing their value as biomarkers or therapeutic targets; 5) Metabolomics: characterization of the mechanisms involved in metabolic reprogramming in cancer and their usefulness as therapeutic targets; 6) Invasion and Metastasis: understanding the mechanisms involved in invasion and metastasis of tumor cells namely those involved in cell adhesion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, evasion of the immune system, intravasation and extravasation, survival of tumor cells in circulation, as well as organotropism and colonization of organs such as the bone, brain, liver and lung; 7) Inflammation and Immunology: characterization of the role of chronic inflammation as well as immunological mechanisms in cancer initiation and progression and understanding the mechanisms of tumor cell immunological evasion; 8) Microenvironment: identification of molecular (including genomic, proteomic and glycomic approaches), cellular and tissue (spatial distribution) characteristics of the tumor microenvironment, such as the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, adipocytes, immune cells, macrophages and endothelial cells; 9) Microbiome: identify bacteria that produce toxins that can induce mutations, or that mimic ligands that induce cell proliferation or that produce metabolites that lead to cell senescence.