Project title: Unraveling the role of a renal specific transcription factor in the molecular mechanisms driving chronic kidney disease progression.

The offer: A fully funded 3 years post-doctoral position is available in Terzi Lab to explore the role of a renal specific transcription factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease progression. The successful candidate will join a dynamic and collaborative team to work on cutting-edge research that has the potential to uncover new therapeutic strategies.

The Lab: The “Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies of Chronic Kidney Disease” team, led by Fabiola Terzi, is part of the renowned “Institut Necker Enfants Malades” (INEM), located on the Necker Hospital Campus in the central Montparnasse district of Paris, France. INEM is an international biomedical research hub supported by INSERM, CNRS, and the University of Paris Cité. INEM fosters a highly collaborative environment with strong interactions between research laboratories and clinical departments. The institute hosts over 300 researchers working to advance our understanding of human diseases at the molecular and cellular levels. The Terzi Lab focuses on elucidating the mechanisms driving CKD progression—a pressing global health issue. The lab benefits from a very close collaboration with Marco Pontoglio’s “Epigenetics and Development” team, a leader in transcription factor and genetic network research in kidney disease, located in the same institute. Over the years, these teams has made significant contributions to the role played by several molecular pathways and genetic networks, including the EGFR pathway (J Clin Invest 2000, Nat Med 2004, EMBO Mol Med 2012, PLOS Genet 2017), the mTOR/AKT pathway (Nat Med 2013, NEJM 2014), the Lcn2 pathway (J Clin Invest 2010, Nat Commun 2016, Cell Report 2019m Cell Report 2023) and more recently the HIPPO pathway (Nat Cell Biol 2020, Nat Commun 2023, Cell Reports 2024).

The project: The molecular pathways driving the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a major public health challenge, remain poorly understood. Our recent findings suggest a critical role for a specific renal transcription factor, whose haploinsufficiency leads to congenital kidney disease, in the pathological processes driving acquired CKD progression. Notably, this factor emerges as a promising therapeutic target. The project aims at investigating the precise role of this transcription factor in both embryonic and postnatal kidney disease, by using a unique mouse model. Additionally, the study will explore novel therapeutic strategies targeting these pathways and will elucidate their mechanisms of action, employing cutting-edge techniques, such as CRISPRi/a screening and molecular biosensors.

The candidate: We seek a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral fellow who is passionate about tackling basic biological questions with potential therapeutic applications. This position is particularly suited for applicants with a strong background in mouse disease models. Proficiency in cellular and molecular biology techniques, such as RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, or ATAC-seq, and some bioinformatics skills are highly desirable. The ideal candidate should possess strong analytical abilities and excellent written and oral communication skills in English. The candidate must demonstrate the capability to work both independently and collaboratively within a dynamic team environment.

Interested applicants should email at fabiola.terzi@inserm.fr a cover letter outlining research interests, relevant skills, and career goals, a detailed curriculum vitae, and contact information of two references.

Offer Deadline: February 28, 2025

Beginning of the Fellowship: April 2025

Contact: fabiola.terzi@inserm.fr