Program overview
The IC-3i international PhD Program is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 666003.
Call for applications
The call aims at recruiting motivated students for 14 PhD projects, with contracts starting in October 2017.
Applications can be sent until February 5th 2017, 17:00 CET
You can find the online application in the "Further official information" link below this announcement.
The thesis projects cover Institut Curie’s 4 main research axes and its translational department:
- Biology & Chemistry of Radiations, Cell Signaling & Cancer
- Biology, Cancer, Genetics & Epigenetics
- Integrative Tumour Biology, Immunology & Environment
- Multiscale Physics-Biology-Chemistry
- Translational Research
The IC-3i-PhD fellows will carry out research at Institut Curie, located in Paris (France) and its surroundings. This vibrant environment is based on the pluri-disciplinary approaches and excellence offered by over 80 research groups comprising Institut Curie’s 12 research departments and its hospital group.
1. Biology & Chemistry of Radiations, Cell Signaling & Cancer
Our common scientific interests focus on two main areas:
–Biology of Radiation, DNA damage and Repair; to decipher cellular responses to various types of radiation, including ionizing and UV radiation by focusing on DNA metabolism mechanisms (repair, recombination and replication) and by covering emerging biological effects of radiation on the processing, stability and translation of mRNAs, and the involvement of non-coding RNAs.
–Cancer from molecules to cells and model organisms; to understand processes of development from stem cells to tissues, focusing in particular on neural crest development and melanogenesis, to decipher the mechanisms leading to cancers and metastasis and to develop strategies based on rational design, chemical library screening and molecular modeling for the discovery of new active agents for anticancer treatment.
These two areas benefit from the development of methods for visualizing the effects of new drugs for therapy and diagnosis and for tracking new chemicals or radiosensitizers in cells, tissues and organisms, through the design of new and specific multiparametric and multimodal imaging approaches, protocols and algorithms.
In the field of biomedical research, we are particularly involved in optimizing the response to radiotherapy while reducing side effects.
2. Biology, Cancer, Genetics & Epigenetics
The Developmental Biology, Cancer, Genetics and Epigenetics domain at Institut Curie regroups 19 teams including 7 junior teams from the following units: CNRS UMR3215/INSERM U934, CNRS UMR3244, and CNRS UMR3664 around a common theme : the investigation of the genetic and epigenetic basis of normal physiological processes such as development and abnormal situations such as cancer. We host and actively promote young group leaders to enhance the scientific dynamics of this domain and foster the emergence of new talents.
Using appropriate model organisms (e.g. yeast, mouse, drosophila, Xenopus and zebrafish), as well as human material, we apply a wide range of inter-disciplinary approaches, including physics and biology. We also nurture close collaborations with the hospital, interacting with pathologists and hosting them in our labs. Our scientific interests are focused on questions that are pertinent to the processes of cell division, morphogenesis, stem cell function and germ line development, with a view to understanding mechanisms of genome stability, gene expression and epigenetic changes, that are also relevant to cancer. To explore these questions at different scales, we use a wide range of technologies including stem cell biology, advanced biochemistry, super-resolution microscopy, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics in close link with the technological platforms of the Institut Curie. In the field of biomedical research, we are particularly involved in the development of biomarkers for cancer, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
3. Integrative Tumour Biology, Immunology & Environment
The Integrated Biology domain at Institut Curie regroups 17 teams from the following units: U830 INSERM, U900 INSERM, and U932 INSERM. Altogether these teams aim at understanding the fundamentals of etiology, genesis, and progression of cancer and converting this knowledge into improved treatments by developing translational research and clinical trials.
To achieve this goal the groups in this domain consider cancer as a complex ecosystem where many different cell components interact and govern the evolution of the pathology in the specific genetic context of the patient: the tumor cells themselves (including their heterogeneity), the tumor micro-environment and the immune system -. We investigate the functional aspects governing oncogenesis including germline genetic variation, cell differentiation, immune response, genetic instability, oxydative stress, intracellular traffic…
The involvement in the clinics concerns development of biomarkers, and participation into early clinical trials in particular for immunotherapy and targeted inhibitors.
This domain has expertise in different molecular and cellular biology tools, dealing with tumor samples, cell lines,- animal models,- computational models integrating high-throughput data (NGS, microarrays, proteomics, bioimaging) and network modeling.
4. Multiscale Physics-Biology-Chemistry
The Multiscale Physics-Biology-Chemistry and cancer (molecules, cells, tissues & organisms) domain at Institut Curie regroups 30 teams from the following units: UMR144 CNRS, UMR168 CNRS, and UMR3666 CNRS – U1143 INSERM.
The common theme is the use of cross-disciplinary approaches involving physics, chemistry and biology to produce fundamental insights in cell biology and innovative tools for biomedical research. Our scientific interests are focused on questions that are pertinent to the organization, function, migration, differentiation and division of normal and cancer cells. A large scope of techniques is used that covers many length (electron and superresolution microscopies, intravital imaging of cells and tissues…) and time (from single particle tracking in the millisecond range to hours-long cell migration) scales, involves single and multicellular systems, and expertise in synthetic organic chemistry, biomimetic systems, 3D organoid cultures, theoretical physics, microfluidics, micropatterning, mechanical micromanipulation, and optogenetics. In the field of biomedical research, we are particularly involved in the development of strategies for targeted delivery and immunotherapy against cancer.
5. Translational Research
The Department of Translational Research aims to accelerate the process by which scientific innovations are translated into improved patient care. To this end, it provides Institut Curie clinicians and researchers with the human and technological resources they need to develop projects designed to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
The applicants must:
- not have lived in France for more than 12 months during the past 3 years prior to February 5th, 2017 (COFUND Mobility rule)
- have a Master’s degree (or be about to obtain one) or have a university degree equivalent to a European Master’s (5-year duration) to be eligible.
- have obtained this degree no more than 2 years prior to February 5th, 2017.
What are the nationalities who can apply?
We welcome applicants from all nationalities, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
If I have done my university studies outside of France but will earn my Master’s degree from a French institution, am I eligible?
Yes, if you have not have lived or worked in France for more than 12 months during the past 3 years. The reference date is the application deadline, February 5th, 2017.
I have obtained my Master’s degree in February 2015, can I apply?
Yes, applicants are eligible if they have obtained their Master’s degree in 2015, 2016 or will obtain their Master’s degree before September 30, 2017.
Is it possible to apply if I have not obtained my Master’s degree (or equivalent) yet?
Yes, applications can be submitted before obtaining the degree but you must have obtained your degree on September 30, 2017 to be eligible.
Is there an age limit to apply?
There is no age restriction to apply for the IC-3i International PhD Program.
Are there specific language requirements to apply for the IC-3i PhD program?
The working language at Institut Curie is English, it is not required to speak French. Thus, proficiency in written and fluency in oral English are required as the whole program is run in English. PhD fellows can attend French classes at their arrival.
Are reference letters required for my application? How many?
Yes, 2 recommendation letters are required for your application. Your 2 referees have to upload themselves their letter before the end of the call so that your application is complete.
How will I know if my application is eligible?
Applicants who have submitted ineligible applications will be informed in March.
Eligible applications will go through the 1st round selection by the Review Board. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for the interview session in May (2nd round selection).
For more information click "Further official information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://enseignement.curie.fr/en/ic3iphd