Offer of a doctorate with a view to competing in the Bourse Eiffel call for excellence projects

 Our laboratory is looking for a candidate to apply to the BOURSE EIFFEL application. The PhD is due to start in October 2025.

The Eiffel Scholarship Programme is a tool developed by the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs to help French higher education institutions attract the best foreign students for PhD courses.

It is designed to train future foreign decision-makers in the private and public sectors in priority fields of study and to encourage applications from foreign students aged 30 or under for Doctoral courses.

We are seeking a highly motivated, curious and proactive Doctoral Researcher who will become a part of research team. The Doctoral Researcher will work as part of a multidisciplinary team investigating resistance mechanisms in skin or bronchial tumors.

The University of Angers (UA - www.univ-angers.fr) is a public multidisciplinary research and educational organization. It is certified HRS4R (Human Resources Strategy for Researchers) since 2020, a label delivered by Euraxess, a body linked to the European Commission, designed to facilitate the mobility of researchers in Europe. The UA has 22.000 students, 1.036 professors, around 1.400 professionals and nearly 700 staff members, 400 different degrees, association with national public centers (CNRS, INRA, INSERM). The UA is already involved in several European projects, and is experienced notably in MSCA management.

Project description

Your project is centered on characterizing nervous cells in non-small cell lung cancer and investigating their role in response to therapy. You will study the interactions between neurons and endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment, looking at phenotypic changes in the cells involved. You will identify actionable, mechanism-based strategies to facilitate anti-tumor drug response. You will work with in vitro models (tumor, nervous and endothelial cell lines). You will perform spheroid and coculture models, flow cytometry, among other techniques. Additionally, you will participate in weekly lab meetings and journal clubs.

We expect

• Degree in life sciences with an excellent scientific and educational track record;
• A strong interest in cancer biology, previous expertise in cancer research is a plus;
• High level of motivation, curiosity, communication, proactivity, autonomy and learning skills;
• Willing to promote a highly collaborative environment;
• Organizational skills and a cooperative attitude;
• Your spoken and written in English is excellent.

We offer

• Development of a scientific profile;
• Participation in further training and qualification programs;
• Support in methodological developments and full guidance;
• Stimulating, highly collaborative and friendly atmosphere;
• An outstanding international cancer research environment with a special emphasis on tumor microenvironment;
• Flexible working hours as part of the good work-and-family life balance;

Interested?

Applications should be submitted electronically to flavien.bessaguet @ univ-angers.fr (flavien.bessaguet @ univ-angers.fr)  and nicolas.clere @ univ-angers.fr (nicolas.clere @ univ-angers.fr) as a single PDF containing a cover letter, a CV, two letters of recommendation (with contact information) and certificates.