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The UNFIRE consortium (PEPR MIE) explores how type I/III interferons (IFN-I/III) produced by plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) drive lung immunopathology during viral infections.
We are recruiting a highly motivated research engineer to join the team of Evelina Gatti & Béatrice Nal-Rogier at the DECIBEL lab at CIML.
The project focuses on innate sensing in CAL-1 pDC-like cells, using co-culture with infected airway epithelium, to uncover molecular targets and drug candidates that can tame harmful IFN responses.

Project goals

  • Develop and optiimize pDC / airway epithelium co-culture systems to study IFN responses during viral infection.
  • Dissect antiviral and innate sensing pathways in CAL-1 cells. and generate and analyze CRISPR/Cas9 mutants to identify regulators of deleterious responses.
  • Test candidate inhibitors and small molecules to preserve epithelial integrity and reduce IFN-driven damage.
  • Validate findings in primary human pDCs and support translational evaluation within the consortium.

Profile

  • MSc or equivalent in cell biology, immunology, or molecular biology.
  • Solid hands-on experience in mammalian cell culture immunological assays (e.g., flow cytometry, cytokine/cytokine measurements)
  • Competence in cell biology imaging techniques (confocal and high resolution microscope immunofluorescence)
  • Knowledge of innate immune signalling; experience with genetic manipulation or 3D tissue models is a plus.
  • Experience in BSL-2 (A2/L2) or BSL-3 (A4/L3) laboratories will be considered a major asset, as the project involves handling infectious material under these conditions.
  • Strong organizational and collunication skills, collaborative mindset, and strict respect of biosafety/confidentiality standards.

Working environment & opportunities

  • Join an internationally recognized institute (CIML) with cutting-edge facilities and a vibrant scientific environment.
  • Work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team at the interface of immunology, virology, and translational medicine.
  • A 3-year full-time contract with start date in November 2025 (flexible).
  • Opportunity to contribute to a high-impact collaborative project with strong preclinical and therapeutic perspectives.

Practical

  • Location: Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Marseille, France.
  • Team: Evelina Gatti & Béatrice Nal-Rogier, DeCiBeL lab.
  • Contract: 3-year full-time position.
  • Start: November 2025 (flexible).

How to apply

Send a CV, a motivation letter, and two referees’ contacts to gatti@ciml.univ-mrs.fr, with the subject: “IE — UNFIRE project”.

Funding