Join the CholinOA Project – Postdoctoral Position in Pain and Inflammation Research

The Saint-Antoine Research Centre, affiliated to Inserm and Sorsbonne University, is located at the Saint-Antoine Hospital, 75012 Paris.

You will be working in the Artyst (Articular and Systemic drivers of Osteoarthritis) team.

Our medium-sized team, made up of researchers and clinicians, is working on the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis to identify new therapeutic targets through translational research using mouse models and patient bio-banks (joint tissue, serum) in conjunction with the clinical department.

Team Xavier Houard & Jérémie Sellam

https://www.crsa.fr/equipe-xavier-houard.html

ANR CholinOA Project – Sorbonne Université & Université Côte d’Azur / CNRS

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the ANR-funded CholinOA project, which aims to investigate neuronal and non-neuronal cholinergic pathways involved in osteoarthritis-related pain and inflammation.

Main responsibilities
The  candidate will carry out experimental work primarily in Paris (UMRS_938, Sorbonne Université, Saint-Antoine Research Centre) with regular travel to Valbonne (Université Côte d’Azur / CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire), including:

Development and monitoring of murine models of osteoarthritis:

Surgical model: destabilisation of the medial meniscus (DMM)

Chemical models: intra-articular injection of collagenase (CIOA) or monoiodoacetate (MIA)

Performing vagotomies and implantation of electrodes for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)

Tissue collection and processing (joints, lymph nodes, spleen, dorsal root ganglia)

Histological analysis (Safranin O / H&E staining, multichannel immunohistochemistry)

Cellular and molecular biology experiments: RNA extraction, RT-qPCR, ELISA, immunofluorescence

Contribution to the analysis of pain, inflammation, and cholinergic activity markers

Candidate profile

PhD in biology, neuroscience, immunology or a related discipline

Proven experience in animal experimentation using murine models of osteoarthritis or inflammatory diseases

Valid authorisation for animal experimentation at level 1 (designing procedures)

Skills in murine surgery, histology, tissue processing, and molecular biology

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Willingness to travel between Paris and Valbonne

Contract details

12-month postdoctoral contract (Paris) or 24-month contract (Nice), renewable depending on site

Start date: 1st September 2025

Salary according to Sorbonne Université salary scale, depending on experience

Candidate profile

PhD in biology, neuroscience, immunology, or a related field 

Proven experience in animal experimentation using murine models of osteoarthritis or inflammatory diseases

Mandatory accreditation for animal experimentation at designing level (Level 1)

Proficiency in murine surgery, histology, tissue processing, and molecular biology

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team

Willingness to travel between the research sites in Paris and Valbonne

The recruited postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for successfully conducting the research project, taking advantage of fully operational and validated experimental protocols in both host laboratories.