Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) in cell biology and neurosciences

About this position

A 12-month postdoctoral researcher position (renewable for an additional 12 months) is available to conduct research on the role of extracellular vesicles in the propagation of toxic proteins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). AD, DLB, and other related neurodegenerative disorders, share a common origin: the progressive invasion of the brain by abnormal protein deposits. The accumulation of these protein deposits in patients' brains involves cell-to-cell transfer of these abnormal proteins and their replication in a prion-like manner.

This transport of abnormal proteins is notably mediated by extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nanometric capsules secreted by all cells. The project aims to identify the molecular and functional signatures of AD- and DLB-specific EVs by combining biochemistry, cellular biology, and super-resolution microscopy approaches.

• Purification and characterization of extracellular vesicles from brain tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (biochemistry, TRPS, electron microscopy).

• Quantitative analysis of subpopulations of EVs carrying toxic proteins (electron microscopy, SMLM, biochemistry).

• RT-QuIC assays for the amplification of pathological aggregates (biochemistry).

• Establishment of cellular models for the functional characterization of EVs carrying toxic proteins (cellular biology, electron microscopy, and super-resolution microscopy).

• Presentation of results and scientific article writing.

• Possible supervision of interns.

The position is based within the "Extracellular Vesicles and Neurodegenerative Diseases" group, led by Dr. Mehdi Kabani, at the Neuro-Bicêtre Institute (INSERM U1195, CNRS EMR2000, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre). This is a research center focused on proteinopathies and myelinopathies of the nervous system, bringing together academic researchers and clinicians. Our research projects are supported by Fondation Recherche Alzheimer, France Alzheimer, Fondation Alzheimer, Vaincre Alzheimer, Fédération pour la Recherche sur le Cerveau, A2MCL, and the ANR.

The postdoctoral researcher will have access to state-of-the-art equipment and required training for the project, including: TRPS (Tunable Resistive Pulse Sensing), Electron microscopes, Nanoscope for super-resolution microscopy, BSL-1 and BSL-2 labs.