Functional Interfaces and Predictive Signatures of Sarbecoviruses: From Intra-Host Evolution to[...]

Functional Interfaces and Predictive Signatures of Sarbecoviruses: From Intra-Host Evolution to Zoonotic Risks

This PhD project aims to characterize the evolutionary dynamics of sarbecoviruses and their virus-host interfaces, building on a longitudinal study spanning over a decade in colonies of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum bats, as well as experimental, omics, and analytical approaches developed for this study.

By combining genomic and phylogenetic analyses, functional studies targeting innate and adaptive immune responses, and controlled experiments on virus-cell interactions, the PhD candidate will explore the mechanisms enabling certain sarbecoviruses to cross species barriers and evolve toward zoonotic‑risk phenotypes. The project is designed in direct continuity with work conducted under the EU MuseCoV and ANR EmerCoV projects, and closely integrated with a postdoctoral contract dedicated to screening and functional characterization of bat sarbecoviruses. Ultimately, this integrative approach should identify evolutionary signatures, to investigate their periodicity and virus‑host determinants predictive of interspecies coronavirus transmission risk.

Candidate Profile

Applicants must hold a Master 2 in virology, biological sciences, or a related discipline, with preferred proven expertise in virology, microbiology, molecular biology, ecology, or biochemistry.

Proficiency in at least one of the following areas is required:

• Work in BSL‑3 or BSL‑2+ facilities
• Molecular biology (PCR, RT‑qPCR, cloning, mutagenesis, silencing, NGS library prep, etc.)
• Cell culture (2D lines, explants, organoids)
• Virology (isolation, cultivation, TCID50, transfection)
• Immunology (serology, ELISA, PBMC isolation/stimulation, sequencing)
• Cell biology / Proteomics (protein production / purification / in‑cell P‑P interaction, western blot, etc.)

Preferred additional skills: viral genomics, NGS/bioinformatics, phylogenetic analysis , and scripting (Bash, R, Python). Excellent English proficiency is required; French skills are an advantage. The role demands strong teamwork, communication, and collaborative spirit.