Three-year Post-Doctoral Position in In silico mechanical modeling of cell migration

RESEARCHER PROFILE: Postdoc / R2: PhD holders
RESEARCH FIELD(S) AND DISCIPLINES1: Computer Science, Engineering, Biology

JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION 
Context of the study
In vitro experiments have shown that cell migration is influenced by the curvature of the substrate. Moreover, the latest research now focuses on new in vitro technics to cultivate and study cells with surfaces that can dynamically change their curvature and produce travelling waves. Travelling waves may guide cell migration in a given direction over longer time and longer distance. Understanding how a dynamically evolving surface can influence cell behavior may provide new insights into what happens as an organism develops during morphogenesis and during tissue regeneration. In our lab, we are developing a computer model of cell migration to study how travelling waves can affect cell behavior. The simulation will provide an in-silico proof-of-concept of dynamic curvature-driven cell migration.

The study is part of the MovingCells project (ANR-22-CE45-0010) funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) from 2022 to 2026. The MovingCells project includes the development of an experimental set-up able to produce travelling waves on cultured cells. In silico simulations will help the design of this experimental set-up.  The cell biology analyses will provide the final proof-of-concept for dynamic curvotaxis.

Official document of MovingCells: https://amubox.univ-amu.fr/s/NtARLxsJKY9oz5a 

Previous works: 

Vassaux 2019: 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006349519305909?dgcid=rss_sd_all 

Pieuchot 2018: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-06494-6 

Aim of the study
The Post-Doc will use our latest in silico mechanobiological model of the cell migration based on lamellipodium protrusion and cytoskeleton dynamics. The Post-Doc will investigate in silico how static and dynamic shapes influence cell migration and how moving waves can be used to stimulate and guide cell migration.

First results are displayed here: https://amubox.univ-amu.fr/s/pDkBwy2MrxeXnqZ 

The Post-Doc will improve the design of the current model by upgrading from 2D to 3D. He or she will integrate the nucleus as the mechanosensor of the topography and the nucleus-golgi vector as a polarizing factor of cell migration. 

The Post-Doc will sharpen his/her skills in programming, data analysis, scientific writing, cell biology. In addition, he or she will have the opportunity to use tools used in mechanical engineering, software development and game design. 

Perspectives of the study
This kind of simulation will help the design of innovative biomaterials, scaffolds or matrices for tissue engineering aimed at promoting cell migration and cell invasion. Such materials could also promote cell quiescence, proliferation or differentiation by controlling only the topography. The Post-Doc will join the BMI team (BioMechanics/BioEngineering) of the Institute of Movement Sciences in Marseille, France.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Net salary: between 2051 and 2404 euros per month net depending on professional experience. 
• 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   

TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME/ HOURS PER WEEK: 35
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME                      
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 01/06/2023 & 12:00
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/09/2023
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
WORK LOCATION(S) : Hospital Sainte-Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France

QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS 
PhD Degree

Theoretical and technical knowledge in cell physics and computational mechanics. 

Skills in programing language (python, C++) are welcome.

No specialized education in cell biology is required

SOFT SKILLS: English, Autonomy, Teamwork, Analytical and critical thinking,
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, SELECTION PROCESS

• CV
• Motivation Letter

WHERE TO APPLY: Jean-louis.milan@univ-amu.fr