Research Engineer in Radiobiology and Cancer Biology

Organisation/Company Université de Caen Normandie Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Other Positions Country France Application Deadline 17 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description Missions We are seeking a highly motivated Research Engineer to join the Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE unit to contribute to the development of innovative functional approaches for predicting the sensitivity of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) to X‑ray and carbon‑ion irradiation. The position must start no later than March 1st, 2026. The successful candidate will participate in the study of tumor radioresistance using patient‑derived tumor organoids (PDTOs), advanced 3D models that are highly relevant for evaluating new therapeutic strategies. They will conduct experiments comparing PDTO responses to different irradiation modalities, using advanced 3D culture systems, quantitative imaging, miniaturized functional assays, and integrating available transcriptomic and genetic data. The overarching objective is to understand differential tumor responses to distinct radiation types and to identify conditions enabling the future prediction of individual sensitivity to carbon ions, in a personalised‑medicine perspective. The research engineer will evolve within an outstanding scientific environment at the interface of cancer biology, radiobiology, and cutting‑edge technologies. They will work within a multidisciplinary consortium including Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE, the ORGAPRED core facility (PLATON Service Unit), the LPC laboratory (CNRS UMR 6534), the GANIL facility, and the CNRS UMR 6252 CIMAP/ARIA team, offering privileged access to unique equipment (large‑particle sorter, automated PDTO culture and response platforms, ultrafast 3D imaging systems, X‑irradiator, and carbon‑ion beams at GANIL).

Activities

Culture, maintain and characterize PDTOs (thawing, expansion, quality control).

Establish and optimise PDTO cultures derived from clinical biopsies within the ORGAVADS clinical study (NCT04261192), considering limited biological material.

Prepare PDTOs for irradiation sessions (standardisation, dose calculation, logistical preparation for X‑ray and carbon‑ion sessions).

Perform X‑ray irradiations in the laboratory and coordinate carbon‑ion irradiations with CIMAP and ORGAPRED teams.

Implement functional assays to assess treatment response: viability, oxidative stress, proliferation, clonogenicity (Organoid Forming Assay), cytotoxicity, 3D imaging.

Use the large‑particle sorter to develop miniaturised protocols requiring very small numbers of PDTOs per condition.

Design and optimise innovative experimental protocols enabling standardised and reproducible comparisons of X‑ray vs carbon‑ion responses.

Perform quantitative analysis of experimental data: dose–response curves, radioresistance indices, IC50, 3D segmentation, extraction of morphological and functional parameters.

Participate in project meetings, progress reviews, and scientific discussions within the consortium (ANTICIPE – ORGAPRED – ARIA/CIMAP – LPC – GANIL).

Contribute to scientific dissemination: manuscript writing, conference presentations, and occasional student supervision.

Contract:

22 months (03/2026 – 12/2027)

Where to apply E‑mail lb.weiswald@baclesse.unicancer.fr

Requirements Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications Required Qualifications

PhD in cancer biology, radiobiology, or a related field.

Strong expertise in cell culture, ideally including 3D models (PDTOs, spheroids, or primary cultures).

Experience with functional assays (viability, proliferation, clonogenicity) and 2D/3D cellular imaging; experience with advanced imaging systems or miniaturised approaches is a plus.

Solid knowledge of radiobiology, including handling irradiated samples, understanding biological effects of radiation, or experience in irradiation environments (X‑rays, carbon ions, or equivalent).

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team involving biologists, clinicians, radiobiologists, medical physicists, and engineers.

Strong organisational and planning skills.

Autonomy, initiative, and strong problem‑solving abilities.

Proficiency in scientific English (written and spoken).

The position is hosted at the François Baclesse Cancer Center within the Inserm U1086 ANTICIPE research unit, in close collaboration with the ORGAPRED core facility (US PLATON). The researcher will evolve within a multidisciplinary ecosystem involving biologists, clinicians, radiobiologists, and medical physicists, working closely with the GANIL and CIMAP teams. This unique environment combines expertise in patient‑derived tumour models, state‑of‑the‑art technological infrastructures, and privileged access to carbon‑ion irradiation facilities. The project offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to an ambitious precision‑radiotherapy programme, combining experimental cancer biology, advanced radiobiology, and innovative technologies to better understand and predict tumour responses to distinct radiation modalities.

Recent Team Publications Related to the Project Perréard M., Florent R., Divoux J., Bastit V., Lecouflet L., Desmartin G., Guillemot S., Ibazizene L., Elie N., Brotin E., Poulain L., Babin E., Thariat J., Chevalier F., Weiswald LB*. Use of patient‑derived tumour organoids from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma for the evaluation of the differential effect of carbon ions over X‑rays. Radiotherapy and Oncology, Sep;210:111026, 2025.

Thorel L., Elie N., Morice PM., Weiswald LB., Florent R., Perréard M., Giffard F., Ricou A, Leman R., Babin G., Le Brun, Martin‑Françoise S., Briand M., Lambert B., Joly F., Blanc‑Fournier C., Vaur D., Dolivet E., Plancoulaine B., Poulain L. Automated scoring to assess RAD51‑mediated homologous recombination in ovarian patient‑derived tumour organoids. Laboratory Investigation, Jan 23;105(4):104097, 2025.

Thorel L., Perréard M., Florent R., Divoux J., Coffy S., Vincent A., Gaggioli C., Guasch G., Gidrol X., Weiswald LB. + & Poulain L. + *. Patient‑derived tumour organoids: A new avenue for preclinical research and precision medicine in oncology. Experimental & Molecular Medicine, Jul;56(7):1531‑1551, 2024.

Perréard M., FlorentR., DivouxJ., GrellardJM., Lequesne J., BriandM., Clarisse B., Rousseau N, Lebreton E, Dubois B., Harter V., Lasne‑Cardon A., Drouet J., Johnson A., Le Page AL., Bazille C., Jeanne C., Figeac M., Goardon N., Vaur D., Micault E., Humbert M., Thariat J., Babin E., Poulain L., Weiswald LB*.+, Bastit V*.+. ORGAVADS: Establishment of tumour organoids from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to assess their response to innovative therapies. BMC Cancer, 2023 Mar 9;23(1):223.

Thorel L., Morice PM., Paysant H., Florent R., Babin G., Thomine C., Perréard M., Abeilard E., Giffard F., Brotin E., Denoyelle C., Villenet C., Sheherazade S., Briand M., Joly F., Dolivet E., Goux D., Blanc‑Fournier C., Jeanne C., Villedieu M., Meryet‑Figuiere M., Figeac M., Poulain L. * and Weiswald LB*. Comparative analysis of response to treatments and molecular features of tumour‑derived organoids versus cell lines and PDX derived from the same ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research, Oct 7;42(1), 260, 2023.

Work Location(s) Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Université de Caen Normandie - ANTICIPE research centre Country France City Caen Postal Code 14076 Street 3, Avenue du Général Harris Geofield

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