진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

The University of Caen Normandy is recruiting for the Laboratory of Pathophysiology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders (PhIND) A POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER IN BIOLOGY.
UNICAEN, with its 29,000 students, is a major player and a driving force for the development of higher education and research in Normandy. UNICAEN is a member of Normandy Université.

Statutory Framework of the Position :
Category: A
Corps / Grade: IGR BAP A

Main Missions of the Position
The mission will be carried out within the framework of the "Caen - Strategy for Acceleration in Research" (CaeSAR) project, presented by the University of Caen Normandy (UCN), with its partners on the Caen site (CNRS, Inserm, CEA, CHU, EnsiCaen) (ExcellenCES France 2030). The bulk of the ExcellenCES funding is focused on 3 centers of excellence and 1 platform, among which is the Blood and Brain at Caen Institute (BB@C). The latter stands out for its unique capacity in France and Europe to investigate blood and brain interactions, relying on a cutting-edge imaging platform.

In the context of the CaeSAR project, BB@C aims to develop the first-in-human molecular MRI system in Europe, and the first MPI (Magnetic Particle Imaging) machine for the imaging of neuroinflammation in human subjects. The imaging technology resulting from our teams' efforts could be applied not only to assist in the treatment of neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke), but also for heart diseases (endocarditis, atrial fibrillation, etc.), Crohn's disease, or cancers (e.g., tertiary lymphomas) — all involving inflammatory processes. The expected impact and results are a key advance in neurovascular imaging and therapy concerning a series of immune diseases or diseases involving inflammatory processes, as well as a boost in visibility, positioning UCN as the European leader for Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI).

The postdoctoral researcher will thus work on developing, based on our previous and current preclinical data, innovative in vivo molecular imaging tools using MRI, PET, and MPI modalities, to visualize inflammation-related events. He/she will also be required to conduct studies concerning the biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of the developed contrast agents, and assess the efficacy of our candidate diagnosis and prognosis biomarkers.

Activities and Tasks of the Position
- Execution of Experimental Protocols:
• Synthesis and development of targeted contrast agents, adapted to different imaging modalities. Validation of targets of interest and appropriate antibodies. Anticipating their transfer towards clinical use.
• Experimental models of acute and chronic, central and systemic inflammation, on an animal cohort. Ensuring animal welfare during and after procedures. Longitudinal monitoring of animals to assess the biocompatibility and degradability of the developed contrast agents.
• Execution of imaging protocols (MRI, MPI, PET).
• Collection of biological samples and associated histological studies.
- Data Analysis and Exploitation: Ensuring the processing and formatting of generated data, statistical analysis, and interpretation of the results obtained.
- Involvement in the Scientific Life of the Team: Contributing to the organization of scientific activities, regularly interacting with researchers, engineers, and students, and supporting the collective dynamic of the laboratory.
- Dissemination, Valorization, and Scientific Partnerships: Ensuring the communication of project advancements through scientific articles, presentations at conferences, and intellectual property procedures. Writing detailed reports on the experiments conducted, including methods, results, and interpretations.

Contract
Fixed-term research contract (CDD) of 18 months, full-time.
Start date: January 2026.

Hierarchical Positioning:
The recruited researcher will be based in the "tPA and neurovascular pathologies" team of the INSERM UMR-S 1237 PhIND unit, under the responsibility of the team director.