INSERM CHAIR Recruitment : Functional plasticity of lymphoid leukemic cells in their stromal and immune environments

Organisation/Company INSERM Department Departement des Ressources Humaines Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Leading Researcher (R4) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 2 Sep 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 65 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Inserm chair recruitments open to Inserm are intended for researchers with strong potential to manage and lead research teams and participate in national, European or international projects.

Thisrecruitment,basedonresearchandteachingprojects,isaimedatresearcherswithadoctorateorequivalent andafirstpost-doctoralexperience.Thepositionisofferedonafixed-termcontract(CDD)withaviewtotenure in the Inserm Research Directors personnel at the end of thecontract.

Strategy of the host institution:

INSERM is one of the leading biomedical research institutions in Europe and worldwide. The Institute aims at strengthening the continuum of health research from fundamental molecular studies to clinical applications, while fostering pioneer research approaches. The “Chaire INSERM” project at Sorbonne Paris Nord University will align with this strategic plan. Translational approaches ranging from fundamental to clinically oriented research will be the core of the “Chaire” project. The candidate will employ cutting-edge technologies to deepen our understanding of chronic lymphoid neoplasms. Furthermore, the “Chaire” will contribute to the definition of alternative therapeutic options. As a junior professor, the “Chaire” will be engaged in the training of young scientists and medical doctors through the advanced programs at Sorbonne Paris Nord University. This will facilitate the development of novel skills in the future generation of researchers and medical professionals.

Strategy of the host laboratory:

Unit 1349 “Signaling, microenvironment and B cell malignancies” (SIMHEL) integrates fundamental onco-hematology and translational research to unravel the heterogeneous profile of two major B CD5+ lymphoid malignancies: chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma. The unit benefits from a large enrolment of patients at the hospitals on the campus (reference center for both pathologies) and from its integration in three national and international networks (Laboratory of Excellence, Infibrex ; French Innovative Leukemia Organization, FILO and European Research Initiative on CLL, ERIC). In line with INSERM values, SIMHEL develops scientific projects to promote translational approaches. The core of our research is the understanding of the altered molecular dialog between tumor and surrounding cells both in the periphery and in the protective lymphoid organs. Adding complementary expertise, innovative lines of research and systemic analyses to the existing axes will provide further development of both our fundamental knowledge of B cell differentiation and of the pathophysiological aspects of the neoplasms. The integration of synergistic areas of expertise will improve our ability to conduct tailored therapies against resistance and relapse.

Summary of the scientific project:

The “Chaire INSERM” will develop and lead independently a research project applied to the two main pathophysiological models of CD5+ chronic B cell neoplasms (chronic lymphocytic leukemia and mantle cell lymphoma) of thehost laboratory (SIMHEL/U1349). The project conducted by the junior professor will bring new lines of research and synergize with ongoing SIMHEL research axes on 1) the mechanisms at the basis of the tumor cells plasticity between quiescent and proliferative stages, where immunoregulatory functions are acquired, 2) the tolerogenic and metabolic mechanisms underlying the retention of a proliferative pool of leukemic cells in sanctuary lymphoid organs leading to transformation in high-grade lymphomas. 3) computational prediction tools of progression and new preclinical models to target the resistance to current therapeutic options. The research program will favortranslational approaches; the experimental design will benefit from technological facilities available on site (OMICS, functional genomics, multiparameter flow cytometry, multiplex, 3D-cell cultures) as well as fully annotated patient’s blood samples and biopsies collected at the “Center for biological resources” and hematology department.

Summary of the teaching project:

The teaching project includes advanced programs of USPN and University Paris Cité:

• Bachelor (L3) level in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics
• Master levels: M1 and M2 T2V and international IMI, Infibrex
• Specialized teaching at the Doctorate level (Training at Ecole Doctorale Galillée)

The “Chaire INSERM” will also contribute to our training to medical and pharmacist researchers (medical faculty) and to the international attractiveness of our teaching program:

• Module of onco-hematology
• European network on hematology (ERIC and European School of Hematology)

Innovative teaching practices will be appreciated.

National Research Agency package: 200k€

Other package: 40k€

Co-funding: USPN+ new tenure position grant USPN+ Laboratory extra funding with the additional package detailed below

Co-funding, additional package with the position:

• Office and equipped lab space will be provided
• Expert technical assistance present at the laboratory will be shared
• Core facilities access and use is funded by the host laboratory
• Bachelor and Master student supervision with laboratory financial support is provided
• Further application to PhD grant will be available
• Independently of this initial package, candidate might be eligible for start-up programs such as ERC grant or equivalent.

Remuneration package

3500€ - 5 000€ according to research experience

Scientific dissemination/ Open Science:

Scientific communication and dissemination:

The recruited researcher is expected to aim at peer-reviewed publications with high impact, to disseminate results at a national and international level, and to actively collaborate within the scientific community. Activities may include conferences, active participation in a scientific society and public outreach.

The recruited researcher will implement Open Science standards in all his/her activities, in particular early open sharing of research and research outputs even beyond publications. This will include, but not be limited to, open access publishing and open data sharing. The University as well as INSERM adhere to the “Dora Charte” for Open Science. Costs of Open Science are supported by the laboratory.

Science and society:

The laboratory is involved in several scientific societies, regularly giving lectures and providing information or guidelines to patients’ associations. SIMHEL launched a “participating” program in which the “Chaire INSERM” might be involved.

• Teaching:

Teaching will be carried out at the UFR SMBH (medicine and life sciences faculty)

- Capacity to transfer knowledge through teaching

- Development of innovative teaching and pedagogical tools

- Capacity to interact effectively with teaching teams

The indicators will be assessed based on bi-annual reports and by student feedback on the teaching provided

• Research:

- Development of a successful and independent line of research

- High quality scientific production

- Capacity to obtain additional funding

• Knowledge transfer:

- Integration in infrastructure and coordination with SIMHEL research axes

- Collaborative projects within USPN and at national and international levels

- Capacity to transfer knowledge to the scientific community and to the general public

Selection of candidates:

Therecruited researcher should become rapidly a group leader in the Unit SIMHEL. The candidate should demonstrate ability to supervise Ph.D students, post-doctoral fellows and technical support staff. She/he should have the capacity to obtain competitive funding to manage her/his group.

Successful candidates are chosen by a selection committee composed of six to ten members, specialists in the fields of research.

The committee will evaluatethe applications, focusingon candidate experience and skills relative to the research and teaching projects. A shortlist of candidates is then selected for interview.

The interviews are followed by a deliberation during which selection committee will discuss the quality, originality and, where appropriate, the interdisciplinarity of the research and teaching projects. The motivation and the scientific and teaching supervision capacity of the applicants will be taken into account.

Upon the selection process the first short-listed will be offered a researcher contract, following approval from the President and CEO of Inserm.

Required profile:

Education Level: PhD or MD-PhD

Researcher Profile: R3/R4

R3 Established researcher A stage in a researcher’s career describing those who have developed a level of independence and can be described as an established researcher

R4 Leading Research A stage in a researcher’s career where they can be termed a ‘leading researcher’. This would include the team leader of a research group or head of an industry R&D laboratory.

The application will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Relevance and originality of the project related to the research field
• International visibility in the research field
• Ability to raise funds
• Participation in editorial and reviewing activities
• Teaching experience
• Ability to management