Job offer

Offer Description

The Division for Nutrition, Genetics, and Environmental Risk Exposure at Inserm, Lorraine, France offers a PhD position for a doctoral candidate/MSCA fellow for the project: “Microbiome-epigenome-nutrition interactions in menopause and their links with cognition. ” The position is part of the EU-funded Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions Doctoral Network MenoBrain “Brain Health in Menopausal Women” with full‑time employment for a duration of 3 years, starting in May / June 2026.

Objective of the project: This project focusses on the relationship between the gut microbiome, epigenetic regulation of metabolism, and cognitive health in menopausal women. Metagenomics data from a cohort of pre‑ and postmenopausal women will be analysed through constraint‑based modelling combined with metabolomics, proteomics, methylome sequencing, and statistical methods. Briefly, the project will use the AGORA2 resource of genome‑scale metabolic reconstructions to build personalised microbiome community models of participants. Microbiome community models will be integrated with a human genome‑scale reconstruction combining both metabolism and regulation. Finally, predicted metabolic fluxes will be correlated with clinical and cognitive parameters to gain mechanistic insight into the gut‑brain axis in the context of menopause.

Where to apply

E‑mail:

Requirements

Research Field: Computer science

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Requirements for the applicant: The ideal applicant has a master’s degree or equivalent in systems biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, or a similar field. The candidate should have good programming skills in Python or MATLAB, and ideally R. Good knowledge of biochemistry and metabolism is also desirable. Experience in Constraint‑Based Reconstruction and Analysis (COBRA) is an advantage. The applicant should be able to work both independently and in a team. Very good language skills in English are required.

Languages: ENGLISH – Level Excellent

Research Field: Computer science, Biological sciences

Additional Information

What we offer: We offer a fully funded MSCA fellowship with network‑wide training weeks, summer schools, international conference participation, and interdisciplinary training through secondments (Kiel, Vilnius). The candidate will join the Inserm institute NGERE, which focuses on the role of metabolism and the epigenome in complex diseases and during the course of life, and is located in the vibrant city of Nancy.

Salary and allowances are provided according to Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA) funding rules, including mobility and, if applicable, family allowances.

Eligibility criteria

MSCA eligibility (must‑have): At the time of recruitment, candidates must be in the first four years of their research career, must not hold a doctoral degree, and must not have resided in France or carried out their main activity (work or study) there for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date.

Selection process

Interested candidates please send a motivation letter, a CV including publications (if available), copies of university degrees and courses (including obtained grades), and the names and e‑mail addresses of two scientists who can provide references (all summarised in one pdf ) to Please indicate the DC position (DC9) you are applying for. Applications that do not meet the profile and/or the above criteria cannot be considered. Preferential treatment will be given to applications received before 12 April 2026.