CONTEXT

The position is embedded within the Alzheimer’s disease and prion diseases research teams at the Paris Brain Institute (ICM), under the leadership of Drs. Marie-Claude Potier and Stéphane Haïk, and under the direct supervision of Dr Nicolas Villain. The engineer will work in close scientific interaction with Prof. Mathias Jucker (University of Tübingen, visiting professor).

The team’s mission is to develop and validate innovative fluid biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, with a strong translational focus bridging fundamental research, methodological development, and clinical applications. This position contributes directly to the strategic objective of improving early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic evaluation through advanced biomarker technologies.

The engineer occupies a key technical support role, positioned at the interface between experimental development, quality control, and collaborative translational research projects within ICM and with international partners.

Internal resources:

·        Access to state-of-the-art technologies at ICM (SIMOA, MSD, mass spectrometry, and RT-QuIC);

·        Daily interactions with a multidisciplinary team (biologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians), as well as with ICM core platform staff.

External relations:

·  Close collaboration and exchanges with Prof. Jucker’s laboratory and other international partners;

·  Interaction with technical specialists and service providers for assay implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of specialized equipment;

·  Occasional exchanges with research partners related to sample handling, pre-analytical conditions, and quality standards;

·  Occasional participation in scientific meetings or training sessions.

MAIN MISSIONS

Reporting to Dr Nicolas Villain, within the Alzheimer’s disease and prion diseases teams at ICM, the engineer will be responsible for the following tasks:

Missions and objectives:

·  Develop, optimize, and validate novel fluid biomarker assays for Alzheimer’s disease and related neurodegenerative conditions;

·  Perform advanced techniques such as second-generation immunoassays, mass spectrometry, fully automated immunoassays and protein misfolding amplification (RT-QuIC);

·  Contribute to methodological innovation in translational neuroscience.

Responsibilities and contributions:

·  Design and perform experiments using second-generation immunoassays (SIMOA, MSD);

·  Perform and support analyses using mass spectrometry and protein misfolding amplification (RT-QuIC);

·  Lead pre-analytical workflows, including sample handling, processing, and storage;

·  Implement and monitor quality control (QC) and assay validation procedures;

·  Ensure rigorous documentation, data traceability, and compliance with laboratory and institutional standards;

·  Analyze experimental data and contribute to interpretation of results;

·  Communicate results through written reports, presentations, and internal meetings;

·  Actively collaborate with internal teams and international partners.

Tools and equipments used:

·  SIMOA and MSD platforms;

·  Mass spectrometry equipment;

·  Automated immunoassay systems;

·  RT-QuIC;

·  Standard molecular biology and biochemistry laboratory equipments and tools;

·  Data analysis and documentation software (e.g., Excel and statistical tools).

Attractive factors:

·  Five-year fully funded position;

·  High-level international research environment;

·  Exposure to cutting-edge biomarker technologies;

·  Strong translational and clinical relevance;

·  Close interaction with leading experts in the field.

Constraints:

·  High level of rigor and reproducibility required in experimental workflows;

·  Strict adherence to quality, traceability, and documentation standards;

·  Work organization and activities planned within medium- to long-term timelines and deliverables.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

·  Working on weekends: Exceptional, depending on experimental constraints;

Business travels: Possible travels to partner laboratories and scientific meetings

Required diploma:

Master’s degree in biochemistry, bioengineering, molecular/cellular biology, neuroscience, or a related field.

Know-how:

·  Professional experience in a research laboratory environment;

·  Hands-on experience with immunoassays;

·  Experience in assay development, optimization, or validation is highly desirable;

·  Ability to manage experimental workflows with a high degree of autonomy;

Knowledge/Sector knowledge:

Knowledge acquired through academic and practical training in:

·  Biochemistry and molecular biology;

·  Neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases;

·  Biomarker field.

Language skills:

·  English: proficiency;

·  French: highly desirable.

IT tools:

·  Software for scientific data analysis and visualization (e.g., GraphPad Prism);

·  Standard office and presentation tools (e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);

·  Laboratory data management, traceability, and documentation systems.

Soft skills:

·  Strong organizational and rigor skills, ensuring reliability and reproducibility of results;

·  Ability to work independently while having collaborative skills;

·  Strong problem-solving skills in experimental contexts;

·  Clear and effective scientific communication, both written and oral;

·  Motivation and engagement in a long-term translational research project;

·  Passion for the scientific environment and continuous learning.

The Paris Brain Institute is committed to fighting all forms of discrimination. We guarantee an inclusive and respectful working environment for all diversities.

All our positions are open to candidates with disabilities.
 
Apply directly on our career site with your CV and a cover letter in english a single PDF file: https://offres.institutducerveau-icm.org/fr/jobs/1986-61