Postdoctoral Fellow at Institut Pasteur: The Insect Immunity & Infection Laboratory at Institut Pasteur is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Postdoctoral Fellow to join the research group led by Dr. Sarah Merkling. This is a full-time, fixed-term 3-year position on CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) terms and conditions of employment. The expected start date for this position is in November-December 2023. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work on the ERC Starting grant project “ITSaMATCH,” focusing on generating single-cell atlases for virus-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The research will contribute to understanding the molecular factors that mediate mosquito’s permissiveness to virus infection.
Designation: Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Area: Vector Biology, Virology, Immunology
Location: Insect Immunity & Infection Laboratory, Institut Pasteur, CNRS Unit (UMR 2000 – Evolutionary Genomics, Modeling & Health), Insect-Virus Interactions Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, France
Eligibility/Qualification:
- Recent PhD in a relevant field (e.g., vector biology, virology, immunology).
- Experience in insect biology and microbiology.
- Experience with Next-Generation Sequencing (sample and library preparation).
- Willingness to work in an Insectary/BSL-3 facility.
- Demonstrable publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
- Excellent scientific writing and communication skills in English.
- Self-driven and able to work independently in an organized manner while being part of a team.
- Rigorous data management and record keeping.
- Experience and willingness to work with students or research technicians.
Job Description: The selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Leading their project and initiating or contributing to collaborative projects within the lab and externally.
- Applying for grants, presenting work at international conferences, and preparing publications.
- Sharing experience to support more junior lab members.
- Developing projects and research questions that align with the lab’s broad interests.
- Conducting research on the generation of single-cell atlases for virus-infected Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.
- Investigating the tissular, cellular, and molecular factors that mediate mosquito’s permissiveness to virus infection.
- Working with cutting-edge methods such as single-cell genomics, metabolomics, and CRISPR-Cas9 mediated genetic engineering.
How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit the following documents to sarah.merkling@pasteur.fr:
- CV
- Names and contact information of three references
- Cover letter
Last Date for Application: Rolling basis; early applications are encouraged
Working at Institut Pasteur offers access to an international and dynamic research environment that supports postdoctoral training. The institute provides opportunities for career coaching, access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology platforms, and participation in scientific meetings and institutional life. The Institut Pasteur and CNRS are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment. The recruitment process will be based on the European HRS4R standards, ensuring open, transparent, and merit-based evaluation solely on qualifications.
Contact Information: Dr. Sarah Merkling (Principal Group Leader) Email: sarah.merkling@pasteur.fr
