PD fellowship of the JSPS on the project : Integrated AI and Multi-omics MPS for Tumor Profiling and Therapy Prediction

LIMMS/CNRS-IIS IRL 2820 (Laboratory for Integrated Micro Mechatronic Systems) is an international laboratory between the French CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), The University of Tokyo, located in Komaba, Tokyo. Since its creation in 1995, LIMMS has welcomed more than 380 researchers from France and Europe.

LIMMS opens a new postdoctoral position in the laboratory of Professor Yukiko Matsunaga, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, LIMMS/CNRS-IIS (IRL2820)

For biomedical research, the laboratory engineers three-dimensional human microphysiological systems (MPS) using advanced microfabrication and biomaterials technologies to recapitulate functional tissue architecture. We develop and apply these platforms to investigate disease mechanisms and to advance therapeutic strategies and regenerative medicine.

The laboratory is also committed to fostering an inclusive, multicultural environment and to actively promoting the advancement of women in science. The team brings together researchers from diverse personal and disciplinary backgrounds and maintains a strong culture of structured mentorship and professional development.

Responsibilities:

Biomedical research increasingly requires predictive in vitro models that complement established animal models and human studies. The laboratory has developed a vascularized organ-on-chip platform which incorporate cells of human origin. Using 3D cell culture and tissue engineering methods, this platform enables recreation of dynamic and complex microenvironment of human tissues in healthy and diseased state. The laboratory aims to visualize and understand disease mechanisms, and propose innovative therapeutic approaches.

In recent years, the platform has been used to investigate anticancer therapeutics and showed that small-molecule drugs with similar mechanisms of action targeting angiogenesis exert differential effects on endothelial barrier function. The platform also revealed a mechanism for cancer cell cluster intravasation, an early step of metastasis. Although novel analytical tools were developed to support these advances, more comprehensive and predictive analytical methods are required to fully realize the potential of organ-on-chip technology and to gain deeper mechanistic insights into cancer progression and therapeutic response.

The laboratory now focuses on elucidating the dynamic alterations within the tumor microenvironment that drive metastasis and therapeutic resistance. We aim to leverage multi-omics approaches and artificial intelligence to identify cellular and molecular targets that enable prediction of a tumor’s metastatic potential and its response to treatment. The project consists of: (1) establishing the protocol to obtain omics data from a vascularized tumor organoid-on-chip model, (2) performing multi-omics analysis to identify factors of the tumor microenvironment that are key drivers of metastatic progression, (3) establishing a predictive model of a tumor’s risk of metastasis based on the components of its microenvironment and validate the model with clinical data. By doing so, we will develop a method that can be used by clinicians to predict the risk of metastasis and to tailor therapeutic strategies to improve patient treatment and outcomes. The prospective postdoctoral researcher is expected to join and pursue this project.

The laboratory is well equipped with imaging and molecular biology facilities, and has access to an omics platform and clinical data through collaborations. Furthermore, a visiting CNRS scientist in the group will fabricate tumor organoid-on-chip models from patient biopsies and will support the project from the theory side. The project will be conducted in collaboration with groups at cancer research institutes in both Japan and France.

Fellowship periods and periods for arrival in Japan: Two years starting between September 1^st and November 30, 2026

Rewards: Paid equivalent to the JSPS Post-Doctoral position

1. Airfare: A round-trip air ticket (based on JSPS’s regulations)

2. Maintenance Allowance: 362,000 JPY per month

3. Miscellaneous: A setting-in allowance of 200,000 JPY, Overseas travel insurance, etc.

Skills:

Candidates should have a background in bioinformatics, data science, and/or computer science, with a strong interest in oncology and organ-on-chip technologies. Experience in molecular biology or cell culture techniques would be advantageous. A collaborative mindset combined with intellectual curiosity and a willingness to challenge existing paradigms will be essential for addressing this interdisciplinary research area.

Goals:

The recruited postdoctoral researcher should have a solid understanding of molecular medicine and acquire detailed experimental expertise in organ-on-chip fabrication and sample preparation for omics analyses. They should then generate datasets of sufficient quality and quantity to support the development of a predictive model and initiate its construction, leveraging collaborations to address technical and conceptual challenges.