Researcher in Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILD) and Autoimmunity

Rennes, France

2026-06-30 (Europe/Paris)

Job Profile

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Offer description

Host Institution:The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM), the only French public research organization entirely dedicated to human health, covers a wide range of health research fields, from basic research to clinical research, to public health research. INSERM has research laboratories throughout the French territory, grouped into 12 Regional Delegations. The institute brings together 15,000 researchers, engineers, technicians and administrative staff, with a common objective: to improve the health of all through progress in knowledge of living organisms and diseases, innovation in treatments, and public health research.

Joining INSERM means joining an institute committed to professional parity and equality, diversity and support for its agents with disabilities, from recruitment and throughout their career. In order to preserve well-being at work, INSERM pursues an active policy regarding working conditions, based in particular on a fair balance between personal and professional life.

INSERM received the “European HR Excellence in Research” label in 2016 and is committed to developing its researcher recruitment and evaluation practices.

Host Laboratory:Based in Rennes, France, The Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health (IRSET) is a large inter- and multidisciplinary research center on environmental and work-related risks in the field of public health. The main objective of this institute, with more than 350 people, is to study and understand the influence on human health of environmental factors, i.e. chemical agents such as environmental pollutants and drugs, biological agents such as viruses or parasites, physical agents such as electromagnetic waves, as well as occupational exposures and socio-economic factors.

Host team:IRSET is seeking a highly skilled researcher specializing in the interface between inflammation and fibrosis, to join a dynamic team (Team 1 - XENOBAR) bringing together toxicologists, physiologists and physicians. This position focuses on advancing research related to interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and autoimmunity, with a particular emphasis on systemic sclerosis (SSc) and related fibrotic manifestations, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and pneumoconiosis (including asbestosis and silicosis).

Candidate: The ideal candidate should either hold a tenured position at INSERM, considering to join another research unit, or be a non-INSERM researcher willing to apply for the INSERM 2026 researcher competition (CRCN).

Researcher profiles

• Established Researcher (with more than 4 years research experience)
• Leading Researcher

Research Fields

• Biological Sciences
• Medical Sciences
• Other (specify): Immunology

Main Activities

• Lead advanced research on inflammatory mechanisms: Drive research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying chronic inflammation in ILDs, autoimmune diseases and related disorders.
• Investigate exposome contributions to diseases: particularly air pollutants and organic or mineral particles - in promoting inflammation and fibrosis, and work to identify specific biomarkers of exposure and associated risks in human and mouse models.
• Develop and evaluate therapeutic strategies to target inflammation and fibrosis, including anti-inflammatory treatments and immune-modulatory approaches, innovative cellular therapies aimed at slowing or reversing disease progression.

Associated Activities

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor and supervise junior researchers.

Specific Requirements or Constraints

• Extensive research experience in fibrotic diseases, progression of fibrosis, interplay between inflammations and fibrosis, involvement of innate and adaptive immunity in the onset, progression and chronicization of fibrosis, and impact on innovative therapeutic strategies to target these processes with relevant publications in the field.
• Expertise in advanced techniques such as molecular biology, flow or spectral cytometry, immuno-histochemistry, inflammatory signaling pathways, cell culture, imaging, and multi-omics analysis.
• Knowledge of environmental exposures and their impact on inflammatory pathways and fibrosis is highly valued

Required Experience

• 4 to 10 years
• >10 years

Fields:Physiopathology, Immunology, cellular biology, toxicology

Required Education Level or Diploma

• PhD in cellular and molecular biology or immunology with a strong background in inflammation and/or fibrogenesis.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) and ability to clearly present complex scientific concepts.

Hosting Unit

• Code U1085
• Name Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail (Irset) / Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health (IRSET)
• Director Michel SAMSON
• Composition More than 350 persons, 12 research teams, 1 innovation and R&D platform (LERES)
• Address 9 avenue du Prof. Léon Bernard | 35000 RENNES, France
• Website www.irset.org

Contract

• Type INSERM tenured position: already acquired (INSERM candidates), or to be acquired through the 2026 researcher competition (non-INSERM candidates)
• Envisaged Start Date September-December 2026

Application

Applicants must send a detailed CV, including a list of published papers, and a cover letter detailing interest for the position to: valerie.lecureur@univ-rennes.fr and alain.lescoat@chu-rennes.fr

Contact for further information: valerie.lecureur@univ-rennes.fr and alain.lescoat@chu-rennes.fr

Deadline for application: 30 June 2026.