Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM) is a biomedical research center located on the Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades campus. It benefits from numerous state-of-the-art core facilities. The Campus has a long-standing reputation for scientific excellence and key pioneering medical contributions (transplantation, biotherapy, gene therapy). It provides a vibrant environment for basic research and translational innovation.

The host laboratory

The Host-Microbiota Interaction team led by Pamela Schnupf, focuses on the characterization of the unique niche adaptations and interactions of the unusual commensal bacterium Segmented Filamentous Bacteria (SFB) with its host. SFB is highly unusual Clostridium-related commensal that is ubiquitously found in vertebrates and potently affects the host immune system. SFB has the atypical feature of intimate attachment to the host ileum, a normally pathogenic feature, without inducing pathology. The potent SFB-elicited immune stimulation promotes the postnatal development of intestinal lymphoid tissue and induces a state of physiological inflammation characterized by a strong Th17 cell response and enhanced colonization resistance to pathogens. Our work uses a combination of wild-type and knock-out gnotobiotic mouse models, in vitro hypoxic growth conditions and a variety of “omics”.

The project

We are recruiting two postdoctoral  researchers for three years on the ERC CoG-funded project NicheAdapt. The project aims to better decipher the life-cycle of SFB and its unusual attachment mechanisms to the host as well as the bacterial and host factors involved. This work will give critical insights into the cross-talk between the host and the gut microbiota and will address unknown features of the unusual life-cycle of SFB and mechanisms underlying gut immune homeostasis.

Your profile

We encourage applications from candidates with expertise in one or more of the following areas: 

• Host-pathogen interaction or immunology/mucosal immunology and cell biology. Technical expertise in gnotobiology could be advantageous.
• Bioinformatic analysis of bacterial metagenomic data and bacterial genome assembly and annotation. 
• Cryo electron microscopy. Technical expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology and tissue culture is advantageous.

Candidates must have a PhD and be highly motivated, self-driven, independent, and creative with strong organizational, writing, and communication skills. Fluency in English and the ability to work in a multicultural environment are essential. A competitive postdoctoral salary in accordance with the applicant’s previous research experience is offered in accordance with government specifications. 

How to apply

Interested applicants should send a PDF including:

• A cover letter describing their research background, motivation, and future interests
• A Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least two referees

Please email applications to pamela.schnupf@inserm.fr with the subject heading: “LASTname_Firstname_Postdoc_Niche_Project (1, 2, or 3; depending on expertise).” Applications will be reviewed upon submission and will remain open until the positions are filled. 

Additional information

Major publications from the lab

1. Nkamba I et al. Intracellular offsprings released from SFB filaments are flagellated Nature Microbiology. 2020 Jan; 5(1):34-39.
2. Schnupf P et al. . Modulation of the gut microbiota to improve innate resistance. Current Opinion in Immunology. 2018. 54:137-144.
3. Schnupf P et al. Segmented filamentous bacteria, Th17 inducers and helpers in a hostile world. Current Opinion in Microbiology. 2017, 35: 100-109.
4. Schnupf P et al. Growth and host interaction of mouse Segmented Filamentous Bacterium in vitro. Nature. 2015. Apr 2;520(7545):99-103.
5. Schnupf P, et al. Host-interactions with Segmented Filamentous Bacterium: An unusual trade-off that drives the post-natal maturation of the gut immune system. Seminars in Immunology. 2013 25(5):342-51.