Research Engineer in Microbiology/Chemistry

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

You will join the MicrobAdapt team (Determinants of Microbial Adaptation) within the Micalis Unit (Innovative Research in Food Microbiology for Health), based in Jouy-en-Josas (20 km southwest of Paris and 8 km from Versailles).

As part of a project co-funded by the Prometheus Hospital-University Institute (IHU) and the MICA department of INRAE, we are looking for a Research Engineer (IE) in Microbiology/Chemistry. The project aims to develop innovative lipid-based strategies for the therapy of sepsis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

The objectives of the project are to understand the role of bioactive lipids in Staphylococcus aureus sepsis and to develop innovative therapeutic strategies.

You will work directly with the research engineer in charge of the project.

Your responsibilities will include:

1. Screening the bacterial response to patient sera.
2. Contributing to the lipidomic analyses of biological samples: extraction of fatty acids and lipids, gas chromatography within the host team, and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry in partnership with an analysis service at Paris-Saclay University.Studying the lipid mechanisms involved in S. aureus's response to bioactive lipids.
3. Developing and applying bioinformatic and statistical models to identify lipid signatures that can predict which patients are at high risk of severe complications or fatal outcomes.
4. Contributing to the development and evaluation of combinatory therapeutic strategies using an insect model (Galleria mellonella, larval stage).
5. Analyzing and interpreting experimental data, writing reports, and contributing to the dissemination of results (publications, scientific presentations).

Specific activity conditions: Handling S. aureus and human-derived samples in a BSL-2 environment.

The Micalis unit is subject to the regulations of a Zone à Régime Restrictif (restricted zone), which means that recruitment is subject to validation by the Ministry.

Training and skills

Recommended training: Master's degree or Engineering degree.

Desired knowledge: : Microbiology, lipid analysis, bioanalysis, statistics, modeling, molecular biology.

Appreciated experience: Laboratory work in BSL-2 (Biosafety Level 2) environment.

Skills: Ability to work in a team, scientific rigor, interest in multidisciplinary work, ability to write and present results.

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 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.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter