Phd position open in the GIMAP Team
PhD position: Gut immunity & Host-Microbiota interactions
CIRI, Saint-Etienne, France
PROJECT
Secretory immunoglobulins A and M (SIg) are key players in intestinal homeostasis, as they modulate the composition of the gut microbiota. In patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), SIg display altered glycosylation patterns associated with dysbiosis and defects in immune responses. This PhD project aims to elucidate how SIg glycosylation reprograms intestinal immune responses and shapes the gut microbiota, particularly in the context of IBD. SIg glycosylation patterns of patients will be analyzed and correlated with gut microbiota composition. Using murine models of IBD, the candidate will determine whether specific SIg glycosylation patterns promote or exacerbate intestinal inflammation. Finally, the factors controlling SIg glycosylation will be identified. In particular, the respective roles of the microbiota and inflammation will be evaluated.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The GIMAP laboratory is part of the CIRI – Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie (https://ciri.ens-lyon.fr/teams/gimap). It is located on the Campus Santé Innovations at the Saint-Etienne’s Faculty of Medicine. Led by Pr Stéphane PAUL, it aims at deciphering the interactions between pathogens/commensals and mucosal immunity. The laboratory provides state-of-the-art facilities in many domains such as biochemistry (FPLC, CE-LIF), cellular biology (spectral cytometry, cell sorting), molecular biology (single-cell RNA Seq, nCounter NanoString), and animal housing. The laboratory has also access to the technical facilities of the SFR Biosciences (https://www.sfr-biosciences.fr/). The CIRI organizes weekly seminars with national and international speakers and the GIMAP team has weekly lab meetings and journal clubs.
CANDIDATES
Candidates should be highly motivated, curious, and enthusiastic to work in a highly collaborating team. They should also demonstrate autonomy and display strong capacities of adaptation. They must hold a Master 2 (or equivalent diploma) in immunology and have a major interest in gut immunity. Excellent written and communication skills in English are required.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS OF THE LABORATORY RELATED TO THE POSITION
- Michaud E, Waeckel L, et al. Alteration of microbiota antibody-mediated immune selection contributes to dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel diseases. EMBO Mol Med. 2022
- Goguyer-Deschaumes R, Waeckel L, et al. Metabolites and secretory immunoglobulins: messengers and effectors of the host-microbiota intestinal equilibrium. Trends Immunol. 2022
- Igalouzene, R., Hernandez-Vargas, H., Benech, N., Guyennon, A., Bauché, D., Barrachina, C., Dubois, E., Marie, J.C., and Soudja, S.M. (2022). SMAD4 TGF-β–independent function preconditions naive CD8+ T cells to prevent severe chronic intestinal inflammation. J. Clin. Invest. 132. doi: 10.1172/JCI151020.
APPLICATION
Candidates are invited to contact Saïdi SOUDJA (saidi.soudja@inserm.fr) and Louis WAECKEL (louis.waeckel@univ-st-etienne.fr) for further details. Please send an application with a cover letter, a CV, and contact details for 2-3 referees.
STARTING DATE
September 2026
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION
March 1st, 2026