CAREERS
Call for Inserm Jr Prof. Chair Candidates - Join Our Lab
Bioconvergence for Health: AI‑Embedded Synthetic Biology
Lead an independent, internationally competitive research group at the interface of synthetic biology, computational biology, artificial intelligence and biomedical innovation.
A new group leader at the frontier of engineering biology and health
The Engaged Life Sciences Lab is recruiting a top-tier early-career researcher to establish a pioneering group within Inserm U1338, Sorbonne Université and the Paris Biofoundry.
Scientific vision
We aim to create a new research axis where automation, AI-guided design and multi-kingdom microbial engineering enable discoveries that are difficult or impossible through traditional biological experimentation alone.
The Chair is intended for candidates ready to address urgent biomedical challenges, from antimicrobial resistance and metabolic disease to biosensing and drug pipeline innovation.
Why ELiS Lab?
- Interdisciplinary expertise in evolution, synthetic biology, systems biology and computation.
- Embedded in France’s first academic biofoundry.
- Strong record in mentoring young group leaders and supporting high-risk research.
Ambitious projects are welcome across six complementary axes
Candidates are encouraged to propose an independent program that uses the ELiS Lab and Paris Biofoundry environment to open new routes in AI-embedded synthetic biology.
Automated synthetic biology & biofoundry workflows
Develop design–build–test–learn pipelines integrating robotics, high-throughput genetics, large-scale screening and computational learning.
Bacterial, yeast and phage engineering
Engineer microbial chassis for metabolic engineering, protein engineering, biosynthesis, synthetic organelles, synthetic cells or programmable therapeutic functions.
Phage–microbe interactions & phage therapeutics
Advance fundamental and translational research on phage biology, host-range engineering, antimicrobial resistance and phage-based therapeutic or diagnostic strategies.
AI for biological design
Apply deep learning, generative AI and computational biology to gene circuit design, peptide discovery, metabolic optimization, protein design and predictive modeling.
Natural products & biosensors
Explore microbial diversity for novel antibiotics, therapeutic molecules, biosynthetic pathways, environmental or medical biosensors and synthetic diagnostics.
Synthetic biology–AI routes to drug discovery
Integrate automated experimentation and computational design to accelerate the discovery, testing and optimization of therapeutic molecules and biological systems.
The ELiS and Paris Biofoundry ecosystem
ELiS Lab develops interdisciplinary research to understand and engineer living systems, with strengths in synthetic biology, systems biology, computational biology and evolution.
The lab is embedded in the Paris Biofoundry, with automated high-throughput DNA assembly, microorganism engineering and phenotyping capabilities including microscopy, mass spectrometry, protein biochemistry and metabolite biochemistry.
Candidate profile
Applicants should hold a PhD and have postdoctoral experience. We particularly encourage candidates with an emerging or established independent profile and a strong interest in leading a research group in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Originality and relevance of the proposed project.
- Scientific excellence and international visibility.
- Ability to supervise PhD students, postdocs and technical staff.
- Capacity to secure competitive funding and contribute to collaborative programs.
Training, open science and society
Teaching is not mandatory for Inserm researchers, but ELiS Lab is deeply committed to interdisciplinary training. The recruited PI may contribute to Master’s modules in Synthetic Biology and Computational Biology at Sorbonne Université and to the development of a broader international graduate program.
The Chair will be embedded in a strong open science culture supporting FAIR data principles, open sharing of code and data, and public engagement through citizen science projects and informal outreach such as Science in the Bar.
Application steps
Contact the host lab
Discuss scientific fit and begin co-developing the proposed project.
Prepare the file
Complete the scientific file in English and prepare the application documents.
Create an EVA account
Use the Inserm EVA platform to submit the application.
Submit by Sep. 2, 2026
Upload the final application before the official deadline.
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact us early.
This Inserm Chair is an opportunity to establish an independent research group in Paris and help shape the next generation of AI-embedded synthetic biology for health.