Job offer

Organisation/Company NeuroSchool, Aix-Marseille Université

Research Field Psychological sciences » Psychology Biological sciences » Biology Medical sciences

Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Leading Researcher (R4) First Stage Researcher (R1) Established Researcher (R3)

Application Deadline 26 Apr 2026 - 22:00 (UTC)

Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 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 NeuroSchool PhD Program of Aix-Marseille University (France) has launched its annual calls for PhD contracts for students with a master's degree in a non-French university.

This project is one of the proposed projects. Not all proposed projects will be funded, check our website for details.

State of the art

Cortical malformations are a major cause of drugresistant epilepsy in children and adolescents. Studying the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to these epilepsies is challenging because malformations are typically diagnosed only after the first seizure. In addition, it is impossible to directly access to the pathological changes that occur in the brains of patients and contribute to epilepsy. In this context, clinically relevant rodent models could improve our understanding of the disease onset and progression, ultimately leading to better therapies.

Objectives

To investigate the underlying bases of altered neuronal excitability in rodent models with grey matter heterotopia, a group of cortical malformations associated with epilepsy. The project will address whether and how a series of candidate genes which have been identified using existing transcriptomic datasets could contribute to epilepsy by altering excitability. Additional single-cell transcriptomic datasets will also be generated, analyzed, and exploited during the project.

Methods

Will combine transcriptomics and molecular biology; in vivo stereotactic injection of viral vectors and postnatal electroporation to express/repress candidate genes; histology and microscopy; in vivo seizure susceptibility tests.

Expected results

Clarification of the underlying pathological mechanisms contributing to altered excitability and seizures in grey matter heterotopia models. Proof-of-concept for therapy-oriented approaches (some will be tested) aimed at reversing altered excitability, first in rodent models and ultimately in patients

Feasibility

3 murine models with cortical malformations; in-house molecular and cellular biology platform and imaging facility; project authorization for animal research (APAFIS# v2, to be renewed); ongoing local and international collaborations, including with human epileptologists and geneticists.

Qualifications

• Prior experience with bioinformatics and transcriptomics;
• Prior experience with rodent handling and surgeries;
• Histology and microscopy;
• Molecular biology.