Research Engineer / Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) – 12 months – NGS Data Generation and Analysis of the Respiratory Microbiome in Environmental Health

About this position

Working laboratory:

INSERM U1311 DYNAMICURE

is a research unit spanning two towns (University of Rouen Normandy and University of Caen Normandy). It specializes in the study of respiratory and urinary tract infections, their associated microbiomes, and host–microorganism interactions. The unit develops translational research approaches combining microbiology, genomics, immunology, bioinformatics, and clinical research.

It benefits from a state-of-the-art technological environment (Asgard NGS platforms, HPC computing clusters).

Job description:

The unit is recruiting a research engineer or postdoctoral researcher primarily focused on experimental biology (NGS data generation) with an interest in bioinformatics analyses of the generated data. He or she will participate in the MICROBIOPOL project, an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at assessing the impact of chronic exposure to urban air pollution (fine particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10, NO2) on the structure and functional profile of the respiratory microbiota within the Rouen metropolitan area.

The candidate will be based at UMR 1311 DYNAMICURE on the Rouen campus of the University of Rouen Normandy (Rouen School of Health Sciences, CRRIS Research Building, 22 Boulevard Gambetta, 76183 Rouen). The position is available starting in early 2027 for a duration of 12 months.

Funding has already been secured.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team comprising microbiologists, bioinformaticians, air quality specialists and geomatics experts.

His/ her main missions will be:

Extraction of nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) suitable for respiratory samples with low microbial biomass.

Preparation of high-throughput sequencing libraries (shotgun metagenomics).

Managing and running sequencing runs on NGS platforms (Illumina)

via

the University of Rouen Normandy’s Asgard platform.

Performing quality control on raw sequencing data.

Running automated bioinformatics workflows on a computing cluster (HPC/Slurm) for taxonomic and functional profiling.

Analysis using R of alpha/beta diversity in the microbiome and characterization of dysbiosis signatures associated with the urban exposome.

Authoring articles for leading international journals and delivering presentations at conferences.

Co-supervising master’s students or interns.

Scientific and Work Environment:

The candidate will work in a highly multidisciplinary environment within UMR 1311 DYNAMICURE, in close collaboration with partners in the MICROBIOPOL project (Atmo Normandie, public health and geomatics experts from the TURN Institute, and the LERN health economics laboratory). The candidate will have direct access to sequencing equipment within the UFR (Asgard platform) and to regional high-performance computing infrastructure (HPC cluster). The candidate will enjoy a high degree of scientific autonomy and will be encouraged to propose new methodological approaches.

Living conditions:

Located just

1 hour and 15 minutes from Paris

, Rouen is the capital of Normandy and a metropolitan area with

more than 500,000 residents

. A dynamic university city, it offers an excellent balance between quality of life and a vibrant academic environment, with a cost of living significantly lower than that of the Paris region. Its historic center, ranked among the most remarkable in France, its numerous cultural facilities, its natural spaces, and its proximity to the Normandy coast (less than an hour away) make it a particularly attractive place to live.

Rouen also benefits from excellent rail connections to Paris and the rest of Normandy.

The University of Rouen Normandy is home to nearly 30,000 students and conducts renowned research in the fields of health, life sciences, and technology. The Health Campus brings together the Health Faculty (UFR Santé), the Rouen University Hospital (CHU), and several INSERM units, providing an environment particularly conducive to translational research.