Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair: Evaluation of the Importance of Exposome Immunotoxicity in the Relationship Between Xenobiotics and Health

Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair: Evaluation of the Importance of Exposome Immunotoxicity in the Relationship Between Xenobiotics and Health

INRAE - National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Toulouse, France

INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) is a public research establishment under the dual authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Research. It is a community of 12,000 people with more than 200 research units and 42 experimental units located throughout France.

The institute is among the world leaders in agricultural and food sciences, in plant and animal sciences, and is 11^th in the world in ecology and environment. INRAE’s main goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. In the face of the increase in population, climate change, scarcity of resources and decline in biodiversity, the institute develops solutions for multiperformance agriculture, high quality food and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems.

Work environment, missions and activities

Nature and purpose of the research project to be developed and related activities:

To address the complex issue of immunotoxicity of the exposome, this project proposes to represent the exposome by the combination of psychological stress and exposure to food contaminants and/or toxic metabolites generated within the intestinal lumen by nutritional stresses and to evaluate the local (intestinal mucosa) and systemic immune response induced by this co-exposure. The consideration of psychological stress as a player in the exposome in clinical and basic research studies is currently weak and constitutes the originality of this project. Furthermore, as the role of stress/anxiety and food in the pathophysiology of organic and functional gastrointestinal diseases is well established, this project aims to evaluate the impact of the immunotoxicity of the chosen exposure modalities in the pathophysiological regulations involving the microbiota-gut-brain axis. In this respect, particular attention will be paid to the peripheral and central neuroimmune interactions affected by the exposome, a little explored subject, leading to alterations in the bidirectional communication of the microbiota-gut-brain axis. The challenges to be met in this project consist of (i) innovating, establishing and parameterising the most relevant in vivo and in vitro study models of the envisaged co-exposure, on site or in collaboration, and (ii) deciphering the mechanisms of action involved in order to eventually propose biomarkers of effects.

Nature and purpose of the teaching project:

Currently, the risks linked to chemical compounds are primarily assessed compound by compound. However, exposure of populations and the environment can be multiple, and thus the effects of different inputs can add up, cancel out or be potentiated. With the advances in knowledge, the evaluation of chemical hazards should move towards an approach grouping compounds according to exposure, effects, and mode of action. In this regard, the EFSA has just published guidance of which the objective is to contribute to the development of a harmonized approach for the assessment of priority mixtures across the different pieces of EU legislation. In the long term, they will enable the development of methods of assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals and associated risks such as biological dangers, physical agents... (https://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2021-12/7033.pdf).

Thus, innovation in terms of training will consist in creating lessons in the veterinary curriculum entitled: 'Multiple exposure: impact on animal and human health' within the General pharmacy, pharmacology, and toxicology teaching unit. An objective of the teaching will be its application in veterinary medication. The number of teaching hours will be 27 tutorial-equivalent hours. You will also teach within the joint UPS-ENVT BioTox Master's entitled 'Exposome: risk assessment and regulations'. An objective of the teaching will be the consideration of multiple exposure scenarios at regulatory level. The number of teaching hours will be 19 tutorial-equivalent hours.

Funding and related resources:

Package ANR: €200 000
Package INRAE: €176 400
Total: €376 400

Training and skills

• PhD or equivalent.

Formation:

• Post-doctoral experience, preferably abroad, of at least 3 years is desired.

Scientific expertise:

Knowledge:

• Immunology and more particularly the digestive mucosa;
• Toxicology with experience in the field of multi-exposure (exposome). Knowledge of regulations desired;
• Digestive pathophysiology with experience in the field of microbiota-intestine-brain interactions.

Know-how:

• Solid experience in immunological techniques, animal testing (conventional and transgenic animals, transfer of flora, etc.) and alternative in vitro and ex vivo methods (2D cell cultures, 3D constructions, imaging);
• Ability to process and interpret ‘omics’ data;
• Teaching skills with teaching experience.

Cross-disciplinary skills:

• Communication with a diversity of contacts and interpersonal skills;
• Project management, leadership skills;
• Recognised ability to build/mobilise a network for scientific collaboration and search for funding.

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from:

• 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
• parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
• skills development systems: training, career advise;
• social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
• holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
• sports and cultural activities;
• collective catering.

International scientists, please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.

Type of contract

Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair is a new career route at INRAE. It enables the recruitment of scientists based on a research and teaching project that lasts three years. At the end of this period, and following an assessment of your scientific achievements and professional capabilities, you may obtain a full-tenure position as Research Director (DR2).

A research and teaching agreement will specify the path you will follow towards full-tenure and enable you to acquire the qualifications necessary to become a full-tenure Research Director in your field.

You have until April 21, 2023 to submit your application. Only candidates previously selected on file by the selection committee will be invited to the hearing.

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