Assistant Engineer Position in Cell Biology (M/F)

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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 Commensal and Probiotic Microorganism–Host Interactions Team (acronym: ProbiHôte) at the Micalis Institute, INRAE (Jouy-en-Josas, 78350, France). The selected candidate will take part in a project funded by the Carnot Institute Qualiment, specifically the SPECIFIC project, which focuses on the crucial role of the microbiota during the perinatal period, particularly in babies born via cesarean section.

The Micalis Institute is a joint research unit affiliated with INRAE, AgroParisTech, and Université Paris-Saclay. Its mission is to develop innovative research in food microbiology to support human health.

The institute comprises more than 340 staff members, including 130 researchers, engineers, and academic faculty, 70 technical and administrative staff, and 140 PhD students, postdocs, and other trainees, organized into 21 research teams and 3 thematic areas. The institute also hosts 2 technological platforms and a gnotobiotic (axenic) animal facility. Moreover, Micalis is closely linked to Metagenopolis, a pre-industrial demonstrator for functional and quantitative metagenomics.

The ProbiHôte laboratory consists of approximately 50 members. The team’s main goals are to:

• Study intestinal and pulmonary microbial ecosystems to identify (i) potential beneficial effects on the host and (ii) their mechanisms of action;
• Explore host immune and physiological responses to commensal, traditional, and recombinant probiotic bacteria and fungi in various nutritional contexts;
• Investigate host–microbiota interactions through diet and prebiotic supplementation;
• Integrate findings into physiological and pathophysiological contexts (such as inflammation, colorectal cancer, and asthma) to support translational research and propose complementary preventive and therapeutic strategies.

You will be in charge of:

• Culture and maintain various eukaryotic cell lines
• Perform co-culture experiments with bacteria
• Contribute to the development of new co-culture protocols involving eukaryotic cells and bacteria
• Carry out cytokine quantification using ELISA or multiplex assays
• Analyze cell markers by flow cytometry
• Manage reagents and ensure traceability of experimental procedures
• Organize, analyze, and present data from these experiments
• Write a report compiling all information related to the project

 

 

Special conditions of activity: Work in BSL-1 and BSL-2 facilities.

The Micalis unit is a restricted area and recruitment is therefore subject to validation by the Ministry.

Training and skills

Recommended training: : BTS, DUT, DEUST or equivalent degree, with expertise in cell biology, molecular biology and/or biochemistry.

 

Knowledge required:

• Cell biology (eukaryotic cell culture and marker analysis by flow cytometry)
• Biochemistry (cytokine quantification and analysis via multiplex or ELISA)
• Experience working in BSL-2 (biosafety level 2) environments

Appreciated experience: Ideally 2 to 3 years of laboratory experience

Skills sought:

• Reliability
• Technical precision and rigor
• Team spirit
• Organizational skills (ability to manage daily tasks)
• Ability to produce results and communicate them both orally and in writing
• Enthusiasm and good listening skills

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