Call for tenders
Two independent group leader positions in translational neuroscience – CLINATEC
CLINATEC, a joint initiative of the Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA) and the Grenoble Alpes University Hospital (CHUGA) invites applications for
Two independent group leader positions in translational neuroscience
CLINATEC’s Foundation seeks candidates that will develop original research projects in areas including neurotechnology, neuroengineering, neurorobotics, biomaterials, iPSCells, nervous system organoids, glia biology, gene-editing technologies, gene therapy. The emphasis of the projects should be on neurodegenerative diseases and neurorepair at the interface with clinical application.
CLINATEC (www.clinatec.fr) is a unique neurotranslational research institute that hosts under the same roof state-of-the art laboratories to conduct basic research programs, high-end nano- and micro-technologies and clinical facilities that include a dedicated human operating room. This unique combination of competences and facilities is the result of a collaboration between the CEA in particular its technology and life sciences branches ( http://www.leti-cea.fr/cea-tech/leti/Pages/Accueil.aspx), the CHUGA (https://www.chu-grenoble.fr/) bringing its competence in patient care and clinical research, and the Edmond J. Safra Foundation along with several private donors.
CLINATEC was founded in 2012 under the impetus of the pioneering work of Professor Alim Benabid in neurostimulation for the management of Parkinson’s disease and other diseases of the nervous system. Currently CLINATEC hosts close to 80 collaborators (basic neuroscientists, engineers, clinicians) developing projects in BCI, epilepsy and neuroprotection among others in a total surface of 6500 m². CLINATEC hosts also several technological platforms, including human and animal imaging (MRI, MEG, SPECT-CT), nanofabrication, robotics, cell culture, histology, etc.
Two flagship projects are currently being developed:
1) A Brain Computer Interface (BCI)-based exoskeleton whose first prototype has been successfully applied to a tetraplegic patient. (Benabid et al, Lancet Neurology, 2019: Lancet Neuro: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31587955).
Given the outstanding neuro-engineering environment available at Clinatec, the project has a great potential for expansion. The project is now ready for the next step which is to bring the tetraplegic patients to more autonomy and empower them “from the laboratory to home”. Critical points of development will involve among others, to expand the repertoire and the diversity of the mental control as well as the haptic capacities to improve the ergonomics of the exoskeleton. Quantum computing will also be available to improve the potential of BCIs in general
2) The application of Near Infrared (NIR) technology to neurodegenerative diseases. The technology has been validated at Clinatec in animal models
(NIR-Parkinson: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26456231 and is now ready for translation onto patients. Currently, the brain infrared neuroillumination project in Parkinson’s disease is moving to the clinical stage. The technological developments made so far for the applications of NIR in Parkinson’s disease could be expanded and applied to Alzheimer’s disease.
Both projects are fully funded for the next five years and provide unique scientific and engineering opportunities for dynamic and motivated candidates for the positions offered.
The successful candidates will join a vibrant international community of 6 000 strong researchers in Grenoble in areas spanning from medicine, biology, physics, chemistry, computer sciences and engineering. The ultimate goal of CLINATEC is to translate basic research and innovation into new interventions and therapies for diseases of the nervous system.
The successful candidates will receive a baseline funding and a competitive start-up fund. Salary and benefits are competitive.
Applications should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, concise statements of research and teaching interests as well as the names of 3 to 5 referees.
Applications must be submitted to:
Before January 13, 2020
Interviews of short-listed candidates will take place during the month of February.
For enquiries regarding the positions, please contact Mr Thierry Bosc, Director of the Clinatec’s foundation
(33) 4 38 78 31 95
CLINATEC is an equal opportunity employer committed to increasing diversity and strongly encourages women to apply.