TENURE-TRACK CPJ26-SA-1
Synergistic Development and Use of Organoid and Computational Biological Models to Improve Vaccine Combinations against Porcine Respiratory Pathogens.
44300 NANTES
Back to campaign's jobs listing
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.
Work environment, missions and activities
Context and partnerships
The BIOEPAR unit studies infectious diseases in farm animals. It aims to understand the factors that cause these diseases and to control their transmission. Improving vaccination coverage is a key factor in preventing animal diseases and limiting the spread of pathogens. BIOEPAR studies vaccination across the entire spectrum: immune cells, organs, individuals and herds. The Immunocare team occupies a unique position between research and practical applications in livestock farming. Its expertise in PRRS and IAV viruses, co-infections and immunostimulation will be a major asset to the JP who will collaborate with virologists from INRAE, ANSES (VIRPIG), the University of Nantes (Labex Immune), the Pasteur Institute, and private companies. The JP will draw on the DYNAMO team’s modelling expertise and symbolic intelligence tools to independently develop models of intra-host vaccine dynamics. The JP will form part of the thriving immunology and health sector in Nantes.
Nature and purpose of the research project
Combining vaccines can modulate immunity and induce immune priming: an initial vaccine prepares the immune system and enhances the response to other, unrelated vaccines. These effects depend on the type of vaccine (inactivated, attenuated, RNA) and the target pathogen. To capitalise on these synergies, it is crucial to measure the responses induced and identify the most effective combinations. Using influenza and PRRS vaccines developed by our partners and currently in use on pig farms, you will validate and select the most effective combinations of vaccines and immunostimulants using innovative organoid models, and assess their impact on innate and adaptive immune responses in vitro. The data will be incorporated into intra-host mathematical models using AI to represent knowledge and design a pipeline for optimising vaccine combinations. In vivo trials (at experimental stations and in the field) will validate these combinations. You will build long-term relationships with international research teams specialising in vaccination, porcine immunity and modelling/AI.
You will draw on Immunocare’s collaborations with leading teams in veterinary vaccination and infectious diseases (Pirbright Institute, UK; CRESA, Spain; University of Ghent, Belgium; University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada), and DYNAMO’s collaborations established through the European DECIDE and WiLiMan-ID projects. Both teams (Immunocare and DYNAMO) contribute to EU-PAHW (microbial immunostimulants & an intra-herd influenza persistence model). Nature and purpose of the teaching project You will play an active role in teaching on both the Oniris VetAgroBio campuses. In the joint Master’s degrees run with the University of Nantes: Pharmaceutical Sciences and Healthcare Products (Bioproduction and Health specialisation), and Biology and Health (One Health Emerge specialisation), an English-taught course for French and international students designed to attract young talent. You will therefore develop courses on advanced technologies for vaccine design, production and evaluation, as well as on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases in animals and their control through vaccination. Finally, you will contribute to the research pathway introduced in 2025 for engineering and veterinary students, promoting scientific careers and raising awareness of research integrity and ethical issues, in line with INRAE’s strategic objectives. Your aim will be to equip students with the knowledge to address controversies and questions about vaccination raised by farmers, the general public or policy-makers, drawing on sound scientific evidence.
Funding and related resources
ANR Package : €200 000
INRAE Package : €122 000
Others : €85000
Total : €407 000
The project involves experimental work in a Level 2 containment laboratory, as well as missions to collect biological samples.
Training and skills
Candidates for the junior professorship must hold a university PhD in immunology and have a background in science, veterinary medicine or agricultural engineering, as well as experience in teaching at university level. Experience collaborating with modellers would be an advantage. The successful candidate should enjoy working as part of a team and be keen to build collaborative relationships in both research and teaching. He or she must also possess the necessary teaching and scientific skills to be fully committed to these missions. It is strongly recommended that you hold a Level 1 animal experimentation licence and a category B driving licence.
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.
International scientists, please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.
Type of contract
Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair enables recruitment of scientists based on a research and teaching project that lasts three years. At the end of this period, and following an assessment of your scientific achievements and professional capabilities, you may obtain a full-tenure position as Research Director (DR2).
A research and teaching agreement will specify the path you will follow towards full-tenure and enable you to acquire the qualifications necessary to become a full-tenure Research Director in your field.
You have until June 22, 2026 to submit your application. Only candidates previously selected on file by the selection committee will be invited to the hearing.
How to apply
- I download the applicant guide Guide for applicants pdf - 5.06 MB
- I note the profile number CPJ26-SA-1
- I apply GO
All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the Civil Service Code, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear. > Find out more: fonction publique.gouv.fr website (in French)