Call for Chairs of Excellence – Labex SIGNALIFE

The Laboratory of Excellence for Innovation in Signal Transduction Pathways in Life Sciences (Labex SIGNALIFE) brings together high-profile researchers from five institutes of biology (Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice and Institut Sophia Agrobiotech) and one research Institute for Digital Science and Technology (Inria) at Université Côte d’Azur in Nice, France. The common goal of the SIGNALIFE teams is to study signaling pathways from their architecture to their modulation, in order to understand their role in the development and the functions or dysfunctions of organs and organisms. Various biological models are used, and the applications resulting from basic and translational research include biomedical research, pharmacology, development and agriculture.
To strengthen its research on signaling pathways, SIGNALIFE is launching an international call for Chairs of Excellence to recruit scientific leaders who will establish new research groups in each of the SIGNALIFE institutes of biology. Applications are open to candidates of any nationality, including researchers with a permanent position in France, but candidates must not be working in a SIGNALIFE laboratory at the time of their application. The proposed project should be ambitious and relate to the scientific axes of the SIGNALIFE program: Cellular Architecture of Signaling Pathways (axis 1), Plasticity of Signaling (axis 2), Stress Signaling (axis 3), Signaling in Aging and Disease Progression (axis 4) and New principles in Signaling and Applications, possibly in association with Inria (axis 5). The added value of the proposal to the SIGNALIFE network will be an important selection criterion.

For this Chairs of Excellence call, the Institut de Biologie Valrose (iBV) is looking for an internationally renowned researcher or a young researcher with a strong track record to develop a project that complements existing research topics at the institute (signaling, cell and developmental biology, neurobiology, and tissue and organ morphogenesis and function, as well as associated disorders and therapies). We are looking for an enthusiastic individual, who combines scientific excellence with an interest in addressing fundamental questions, emerging concepts and/or disease-related challenges. Applications from scientists with innovative and interdisciplinary approaches (e.g., bioinformatics, biophysics, synthetic biology) are encouraged. The institute is committed to improving the gender balance and encourages women to apply.
The iBV is an internationally recognized institute, presently hosting 26 research groups, with about 30 different nationalities and English as a working language. The iBV research groups are dedicated to deciphering the basic principles of biology involved in health and disease, using a wide range of biological models (yeast, worm, sea urchin, fly, zebrafish, mouse and organoids) and studies on human samples. More information about our scientific activities, platforms and institute life can be found on our website.
The selected scientist will receive a SIGNALIFE starter package (up to €600,000) for up to five years including operating costs (€100,000) and salaries (group leader/post-doc/PhD student/technician, up to €500,000). He/she will be provided with lab (80 m2) and office (20 m2) space and will have full access to the state-of-the-art technology platforms available at the iBV, including dedicated microscopy infrastructure, cytometry, histology, bioinformatics and animal facilities of various model organisms.

He/she will be supported by dedicated university services for short-term lodging upon arrival (Faculty Club), given practical and administrative advice and assistance (Welcome Center) and will receive appropriate help and support to apply for other highly competitive national and European programs and for a French academic research position (if applicable).

Procedure to apply:
Applicants should provide, in a single PDF file (single-spaced, 11-point Arial font):

• Name of the applicant, address, email and telephone number, project title, SIGNALIFE theme and laboratory associated with the proposed project
• Project abstract (1 page)
• Detailed project description (4 pages) including the objectives, the rationale and the methodology highlighting the novelty, originality and feasibility of the project as well as the added value to the SIGNALIFE network and the host laboratory
• Description of past and present research activities (2 pages)
• CV (1 page) and list of publications

Applications should be addressed to Dr. Stéphane Noselli no later than March 1st, 2021. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an on-site interview.