PhD Studentship: 3D model of the human blood-brain barrier (BBB) to study enterovirus (EV) pathogen

Project title: 3D model of the human blood-brain barrier (BBB) to study enterovirus (EV) pathogenesis (ESR 3)

Host institution: University Clermont Auvergne (France) - Research Unit LMGE CNRS 6023 - EPIE team “Epidemiology and pathogeny of enterovirus infections”. 

The objectives of this project are: 

• Develop a 3D physiologically relevant model of the BBB that mirrors cell organization of the brain
• Investigate the benefit of including minibrains in the development
• Standardisation of minibrain infection with EVs
• Investigate the mechanism (axonal transport or passage through BBB) for brain infection of EVs

During this project, we aim to achieve the following results: 

• Development of a novel 3D model of the human BBB with co-culture of neurons, astrocytes, and endothelial cells
• Elucidation of molecular and cellular mechanism that underlie pathogenic processes of different neurotropic EVs

This project also includes a four-month secondment at the Technical University of Denmark (location: Lyngby Campus, Martin Dufva's Lab). The secondment will focus on learning how to use advanced compartmentalized microfluidic platforms.

During your research project, you will be guided by Jean-Luc Bailly (LMGE CNRS 6023, EPIE team).

Requirements

Organovir is looking for research candidates who are highly motivated and enthusiastic with a flexible, pro-active team spirit and a recent Master degree in the field of cell biology, virology, tissue engineering, life sciences. Interest and experience in virus culture and organoid technology is an advantage. The candidate is required to be proficient in the English language and should be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. In addition, the applicant should not, at the time that he/she is selected by the host institution, have resided or carried out their work and/or studies in the country of the host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Find here an overview of the requirements.

Benefits

We offer a 3-year research position for 37.5 hours per week within a motivated and innovative consortium. The salary is in accordance with ITN rules, and includes (charges amounts):

• a living allowance: 3783.39 € per month
• a mobility allowance: 600 € per month
• and, if the candidate has a family at the date of recruitment ((i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the national or relevant regional legislation of the country where this relationship was formalised; or (iii) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher), a family allowance: 500€ per month.

The starting date of the research project is the 1st of September 2019.

About Organovir

Organovir is an Innovative Training Network (ITN) that focuses on the use of organoid technology for viral pathogenesis studies and anti-viral testing. For this ITN we will provide 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) with the opportunity to be trained within a consortium of public and private experts that will enable them to lead innovation in the field of organoids for virus research. The starting date of the research projects is 1st of September 2019.

As an ESR with Organovir, you will be able to familiarize yourself not only with the scientific and technical aspects of innovative 3D culture systems for virus research, but also with the financial, commercial, ethical, communicative, policy and dissemination aspects enabling optimal valorisation of organoids. At the end of this project, you will hold a unique position within the European labour market.

Within Organovir research will be done in the areas of virology, organoid technology, science ethics, communications and business. Organovir is therefore looking for talented and motivated ESRs with a Master degree in various disciplines depending on the research project you want to apply for (see vacancies for requirements).

We offer challenging research projects that will lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis) at high profile universities, research institutions and companies located in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Poland, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. You can find more information about Organovir and all the research projects on the Organovir website.

 The application deadline for all research projects is the 15th of March, 2019.