Post-Doc - Controlling the Trafficking of Key Regulators of Cancer Cell Invasion. M/F. ENS, Paris, France.

Role Overview
Our lab is looking for a post-doc to develop and use novel tools for studying the role of intracellular organization and endomembrane trafficking in the early steps driving cancer cell invasion. The main activity concerns the development of tools enabling rapid, reversible, and localized control of the accessibility of biomolecules and intracellular organelles. During escape from a primary tumour, cancer cells remodel the extracellular matrix to create paths for invasion through invadopodia, specialized actin-rich structures with matrix-degrading activity. Invadopodia function depends on the precise spatial and temporal coordination of intracellular trafficking pathways, which deliver and regulate key matrix-remodeling factors. However, dissecting these dynamic processes requires tools that enable rapid, reversible, and localized control of biomolecule and organelle accessibility. To address this challenge, we are developing specific tools that allow the reversible trapping of organelles to selectively perturb specific cellular functions. We will apply these tools to reversibly control the trafficking and activity of key regulators of invadopodia-mediated matrix remodeling.

Responsibilities
- Develop and use novel tools for studying the role of intracellular organization and endomembrane trafficking in the early steps driving cancer cell invasion.
- Develop tools enabling rapid, reversible, and localized control of the accessibility of biomolecules and intracellular organelles.
- Apply developed tools to reversibly control the trafficking and activity of key regulators of invadopodia-mediated matrix remodeling.

Requirements and Qualifications
- PhD in Cell Biophysics or Cell Biology.
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative works.
- Strong command of cell biology, molecular biology, and optical microscopy tools.
- Basic level of French.

What They Offer
- A highly-collaborative environment with state-of-the-art facilities and expertise in biophysics, cell biology and synthetic biology.
- A multidisciplinary environment in the lab where biologists, chemists and biophysicists collaborate together.
- Collaboration with the team of Philippe Chavrier (Institut Curie), expert in cancer cell biology.
- Location in the heart of Paris, benefiting from an exceptionally rich academic environment and proximity to internationally recognized research institutes (ENS, Curie Institute, College de France).
- Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time (35 hours per week).
- Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026.