PhD position – MSCA DN EURECA
UCBL, CRCL, Lyon, France
Appel à candidatures pour une bourse de doctorat
PhD project title: rRNA epitranscriptomic in glioblastoma (GB) heterogeneity and plasticity
Job information:
Avoir un directeur de thèse également affilié à l’école doctorale E2M2.
Work location(s),
Country: FRANCE
Organisation/Company: Cancer Research Center of Lyon, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1
Research field: oncology, glioblastoma, molecular biology, RNA, mRNA translation, ribosome, RNA chemical modification,
Researcher profile: First Stage Researcher, R1
Position: PhD Position
Funding Programme: Horizon Europe – MSCA
Application deadline: 30 April 2026
Type of Contract – Temporary
Job Status – Full-time
Hours Per Week: 35
Offer Starting Date: December 2025
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101226733
Offer (PhD project) Description:
MSCA and EURECA
Are you a highly motivated early-stage researcher with a passion for molecular biology, RNA, and cancer research? Do you aspire to work in a dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary research environment?
EURECA – The European Epitranscriptomics of Cancer Academy invites applications for 14 doctoral positions across Europe, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a cutting-edge training network in cancer epitranscriptomics, the study of RNA modifications and their and their impact on cancer initiation, progression, and treatment.
EURECA is an innovative and interdisciplinary Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) funded by the European Union. Coordinated by Erasmus University Medical Center (Rotterdam, The Netherlands), the network brings together 21 academic, clinical, and industrial partners from across Europe. Each doctoral candidate will undertake a cutting-edge research project, receive structured training, and benefit from international mobility through secondments at partner institutions to acquire the skills, knowledge, and entrepreneurial mindset needed to drive breakthroughs in cancer biology and contribute to the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutics. For more information visit us at eureca-dn.com
Short overview of the PhD project
rRNA Nm profiling identifies IDHwt GB among high grade diffuse adult gliomas (Paraqindes et al, Neuro-Oncol 2023), but also varies among GB cellular subtypes, which display high degree of plasticity responsible for treatment resistance and disease relapse. We will determine the functional contribution of rRNA chemical modifications in IDH wild-type GBs. The objectives are:
Identify a signature of rRNA epitranscriptomics marks (Nm) in patients with particular molecular signature;
Establish GB patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and cell lines derived from patients;
Identify alterations in rRNA epitranscriptomic marks and snoRNA expression between the different GB cellular subtypes, depending on plasticity capacities;
Decipher the impact of snoRNA/rRNA epitranscriptomics marks on translational programs underlying cell subtypes specific properties and cellular plasticity responsible for treatment resistance and disease recurrence.
Where to apply:
Email or jobs website of your institution: using adum platform – reference number 68360 (https://adum.fr/index.pl)
Requirements:
Research field: L1-Molecular and Structural Biology, L2-Genetics, Genomics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology
Education level: European Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
Master Degree in life sciences, molecular biology, cancers, or related fields.
Experience in at least one of the following areas: cell and/or molecular biology, biochemistry, RNA biology.
Demonstrated interest in cancer research and RNA biology
Demonstrated academic excellence is a pre.
Practical experience in laboratory environment is a plus.
Basic knowledge of Microsoft office, statistics, graphical data presentation.
Excellent organisation and communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Willing to travel for short or longer periods.
Flexible and co-operative with a well-structured and autonomous working style.
Fluency in written and spoken English is a must.
Additional Information:
Eligibility criteria
You must hold Master of Science degree (MSc) or equivalent at the date of recruitment.
You cannot be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
Mobility rule
Candidates can be of any nationality. Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
Benefits:
The employment contract will follow the conditions and salary adapted to the life cost in each host country, set by the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025, MSCA.
The monthly gross salary will comprise a gross living allowance (€4735,81/month) corrected by a country-of-employment factor and minus all compulsory deductions under national legislation such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes, mobility allowance (€710/month) and if applicable a family allowance (€660/month).
Selection process:
3 steps selection process including:
A preselection based on eligibility and written application
First interview with a small panel from host institution
Second interview with a larger panel
How to apply:
Send a CV, motivation letter and the contact information of 2 references to using adum platform – reference number 68360 (https://adum.fr/index.pl). A useful CV builder that makes it easy to create your CV online can be found here: EUROPASS CV EUROPASS
Equal opportunities statement:
Recruitment will be carefully executed and monitored in accordance with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and in the MSCA DN mobility rules as specified in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025. EURECA aims for a representative gender balance amongst the researchers to be recruited, based on an equal opportunity policy during the recruitment phase.
Work Location (address):
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL)
Country: FRANCE
City: Lyon
Postal Code: 69008
Street: 28 rue Laennec
Contact:
City: Lyon
Website (institution/organisation): https://www.crcl.fr/en/research-teams/ribosome-translation-and-cancer/
Street: 28 rue Laennec
Postal Code: 69008