3 year-PhD position in proteomics applied to GPCR signaling in cancer, CRCM, Marseille, France (Funded by Amidex)

RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD/R1: First stage Researcher
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Biology
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Biological Sciences

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 

In the frame of the team “Membrane Proteomics and Cancer” at Cancer Research Centre of Marseille (CRCM) and a project recently funded by the French government under the France 2030 investment plan, as part of the Initiative of Excellence of Aix-Marseille University – A*midex, we propose a 3 years PhD project which will focus on a selection of candidate GPCRs potentially important in breast cancer. PhD student will clone and express the different isoforms described for these receptors in breast cancer cell lines to estimate oncogenic properties in terms of proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenicity. The same cell line will allow the development of methods to specifically detect and quantify by mass spectrometry the proteoforms of the receptors. Then, expression of the different proteoforms will be measured in a variety of cells lines, in xenografts, in organoids derived from patients and in human biopsies, ultimately using single cell proteomics methods we are currently developing. In-house nanobodies against the extracellular part of the GPCR will be developed to push further the characterization in larger cohorts of samples and hopefully produce immunopharmacological tools to correct GPCRs activity in breast cancer cells or drive targeted therapeutics.

The PhD candidate will work in close collaboration with several other research groups at CRCM and with the Marseille Proteomics platform (MAP) located in the same building.

Key words: breast cancer, GPCR, targeted mass spectrometry, single cell proteomics, nanobody

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY
JOB STATUS: FULL TIME
HOURS PER WEEK 39
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/07/2025, 23:00 
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 3 years
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

WORK LOCATION(S): Centre de Recherche Cancérologie de Marseille 27 Bd Leï Roure, CS30059 13009 F-MARSEILLE

WHAT WE OFFER: 

2100-2200 euros per month gross salary

Additional information: 

The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal 

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 

Master degree or equivalent preferentially in cancer biology, in cellular biology or in biochemistry

Previous experience in peptide biochemistry, in protein biochemistry or in mass spectrometry is a plus but not mandatory.

Soft skills: Autonomy, Teamwork, Analytical and critical thinking 

English spoken and written.

REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS

CV, 2 references and letter of motivation

HOW TO APPLY: [email protected]