Junior research scientist on orbivrus receptors

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INRAE presentation

INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, is a public research organization bringing together 12,000 employees across 272 units in 18 centers across France. As the world’s leading institute specializing in agriculture, food, and the environment, INRAE plays a key role in supporting the necessary transitions to address global challenges.

Faced with population growth, food security challenges, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, INRAE is committed to developing scientific solutions and supporting the evolution of agricultural, food, and environmental practices.

INRAE is recruiting researchers by open competition and offering permanent position.

Work environment, missions and activities

You will be based at the INRAE-ANSES-ENVA joint research unit of virology (UMR Virologie), comprising around fifty staff members organised in five research teams. The joint research unit is located on the premises of the 'Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort' in Maisons-Alfort, and has several technological platforms. There is an intercompany restaurant on site (subsidised by INRAE).
The fundamental and applied research conducted within the joint research unit of virology focuses on strict animal viral diseases or those with zoonotic potential. You will join the Virus-Host intrefaces and Therapeutics (InViT) team and more particularly the group studying the molecular mechanisms that influence the replication and transmission of orbiviruses. You will be responsible for developing a research programme aimed at identifying and characterising orbivirus cell-surface receptors.
Genus Orbivirus includes economically important animal pathogens as well as zoonotic viruses. You will lead the research programme aimed at identifying and characterising orbivirus cell-surface receptors and will establish the methodological processes necessary to ensure the success of this research programme.
You will collaborate primarily with researchers working on the theme “Cellular mechanisms involved in the replication and transmission of orbiviruses”. The research programme will draw on the use of cellular models derived from arthropod vectors of orbiviruses or specific tissues from ruminant hosts, new gene editing technologies, and mass spectrometry. Innovative methodologies of protein coupling, imaging, and construction of cDNA libraries from susceptible cells (presence of receptors) will be used to identify and characterise orbivirus cell-surface receptors. The work considered relates primarily to virology and will draw on disciplines including molecular and cellular biochemistry, cellular biology, functional genomics, and structural genomics.
You will develop and coordinate a research programme aimed at characterising the entry mechanisms and identifying the cell-surface receptors, this programme will help charaterise determinants of tissue tropism, host/vector specificity, and the zoonotic potential of orbiviruses. You will have access to 44 cell lines derived from vector arthropods (Culicoides, ticks, mosquitoes, phlebotomine flies) and will maintain diverse cell lines essential to your research.
You will handle pathogenic viruses (animal and human pathogens) in containment laboratories (containment level: BSL2, BSL3). The collection of viruses required for this project is available within the joint research unit of virology. You will produce recombinant proteins of the orbivirus capsid and VLP (virus-like particles) using existing methods within the unit, and will purify various forms of infectious virus particles.
You will establish protein coupling and purification techniques and prepare the protein complexes for sequencing using mass spectrometry. You will express the proteins identified as potential receptors in non-susceptible cells (cells that do not naturally have orbivirus receptors) to confirm the specificity of these receptors. You will collaborate with structural biologists to determine the atomic structure of the receptors, which will require travelling both nationally and abroad.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent).
Recommended training: PhD (or equivalent), preferably in virology. 
Desired knowledge: Knowledge of virology is highly recommended. Experience in the field of virus-host interactions and cell signalling pathways involved in viral replication is highly recommended. Experience in handling class 3 animal/zoonotic pathogens would also be an asset. Experience in protein biochemistry is very important.
Desired experience: Experience in arbovirology would be a major asset. 
Desired skills: A good command of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics tools would be desirable. 
Candidates should have a good command of English (both written and spoken), and long-term international experience would also be desirable. Successful candidates who have not yet acquired this experience abroad will be required to do so after their probationary period (1st year).

Your future role explained in video

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from:

- 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

For international scientists: please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE. 

How to apply

1. I download the applicant guide Guide for applicants 2026 pdf - 1.41 MB
2. I write down the profile number CR26-SA-2
3. I apply GO