Job ID: 122424

PhD student in computer science and Neuroscience

Position: Ph.D. Student

Deadline: 31 March 2025

Employment Start Date: 1 October 2025

Contract Length: 3 years

City: Nouzilly/Tours

Country: France

Institution: INRAE

Department: Unit Physiology of reproduction and Behavior (Team BIOS)

Description:

Are you passionate about autism spectrum disorders, social behaviors, oxytocin and the molecular mechanisms underlying them? Do you want to explore the dynamics of messenger RNA in neurons in response to social interactions? If so, we have an exciting PhD opportunity in our interdisciplinary team.

 

We are looking for a motivated and talented PhD candidate to join an ERC-funded project that aims to uncover the messenger RNA dynamics in neurons and identify new therapeutic targets for social interaction deficits in mice. This research will use a newly established cutting-edge SOCIALOME database, which includes over 600 RNA sequencing samples, and employ advanced AI-based techniques alongside classical statistical analysis. Promising therapeutic targets will be validated in vivo through molecular biology, stereotaxic injections, and automated behavioral devices.

 

Position Overview:

The PhD position is funded for three years within the joint research unit “Physiology of Reproduction and Behavior,” a joint research unit between CNRS, INRAE, and the University of Tours, located in the Loire Valley, just south of Paris.

As part of the interdisciplinary, ERC-funded BIOS team, the PhD student will work with computer scientists, mathematicians, and biologists to explore groundbreaking questions in neuroscience.

The student will be supervised by a computer scientist, a statistician, and a neuroscientist, as well as a supported by biology research technician.

Financial and material support are already provided for the PhD project, with access to resources from the Research Unit, the BIOS team, the Region, and the ERC grant. This includes tools and expertise in AI, statistics, molecular biology, and animal models.

The PhD candidate will also have the opportunity to travel for international meeting, as well as a 3-6 month internship with our collaborator in Berlin.

 

Key Requirements:

  • A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in computer science, biology, or a related field.
  • Advanced knowledge of statistics, R or python language.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills in English (mandatory), with the ability to present research at national and international conferences and publish in scientific journals.
  • Knowledge of molecular/cellular biology, neuroscience, or computer science is highly desirable.
  • Animal license (not mandatory)
  • a dynamic person who will be able to fully commit in his PhD project, propose new ideas, be curious, with a critical mind, display some autonomy and would be willing to learn new skills.

 

Why Join Us?

Work on an innovative and high-impact project at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, and molecular biology.

Collaborate with a dynamic, interdisciplinary team of experts.

Enjoy a rich scientific environment with opportunities for international collaboration.

Experience life in the beautiful Loire Valley, an area known for its culture, history, and quality of life.

 

To apply for the position, please provide a detailed resume (university, formations, skills, internships, the name (and letter) of at least two references), a motivation letter, and grades from License to Master (L1, L2, L3, Master 1 et 2, or equivalent) to lucie.pellissier@inrae.fr. The deadline to apply is March 31th of 2025, followed by interviews to select three candidates

Final decision will be made following interviews by the University on April, 30th or May 6th, 2025. The PhD project will start in October 2025. Information about the University and selection process can be found at https://collegedoctoral-cvl.fr/as/ed/page.pl?site=CDCVL&page=ed549