Hosting structure
Institut Curie Research Center
Institut Curie is a leading institution in cancer research and treatment. It brings together a Hospital Group and a Research Center with over 1,000 employees and a strong international presence. The Research Center’s mission is to advance fundamental research and translate scientific discoveries into improved cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapies. This approach ensures a seamless continuum from basic research to innovation, all dedicated to serving patients.
Poirier team
The Innate Immunity in Physiology and Cancer team is part of the Immunity and Cancer Unit (INSERM U932) at Institut Curie. Our primary goal is to uncover and characterize novel immune defense mechanisms in mammals, with a particular focus on innate immunity. Current research explores immune proteins conserved between bacteria and humans, in collaboration with Aude Bernheim’s team at Institut Pasteur. Building on these discoveries, we design innovative immunotherapies in partnership with translational researchers and clinicians. The Poirier team is supported by an ERC Starting Grant, along with a grant “Impact Santé” from France 2030.
https://institut-curie.org/team/poirier
Project: an innovative immunotherapy of lupus
Context
Innate immune mechanisms protect mammals against pathogens and contribute to tumor surveillance. Recent studies have shown that a subset of mammalian innate immune proteins, including those in humans, originate from bacterial defense systems (1). Our work demonstrates that exploring evolutionary conservation of immunity is a powerful strategy to uncover novel immune proteins in eukaryotes. Recently, we identified a previously unknown human immune protein, SIRal, which plays a pivotal role in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway of innate immunity (2).
We are now launching a translational project to investigate the role of SIRal in human disease. Autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are known to involve aberrant TLR-driven innate immune activation. In this project, we aim to determine whether SIRal represents a viable therapeutic target in lupus and related autoimmune conditions. The successful candidate will join this research program alongside a research engineer from the team. The work will combine cell biology approaches with extensive studies in mouse models of autoimmunity.
References
1. F. Rousset, Trends Immunol. 44, 945–953 (2023).
2. D. Bonhomme et al., Science. 389, eadr8536 (2025).
Candidate Profile
Training and skills required
- Training: Masters and PhD in Life Sciences are welcome to apply
- Scientific skills: Experience in vivo experimentation is required
- Language skills: English, oral and written
- Transferable skills: ability to work in a team, excellent communication skills including oral presentations to specialized and non-specialized audiences
All our opportunities are open to people with disabilities
Contract information
Type of contract: Fixed-term contract
Starting date: To be discussed
Duration: 12 months renewable
Working time: full time
Remuneration: according to the current grids
Benefits: Collective catering, reimbursement of transportation fees up to 70%, supplementary health insurance
Location of the position: Paris, France
Contact
Please send your CV and letter of motivation
Publication date: 15/12/2025
Deadline for application: 04/01/2026
Institut Curie is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer
and is dedicated to the highest standards of research integrity.
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/brochures/eur_21620_en-fr.pdf