Job and Study Opportunities

Postdoc Computational Oncology -Brain tumors

Postdoctoral position

Application deadline: 20 May 2026

Institute: Institut Curie
Country: France
More information: https://institut-curie.org/team/cavalli

The Cavalli Lab is seeking a highly motivated scientist interested in deciphering brain tumor heterogeneity
Duration: 24 months, starting immediately

Institut Curie is one of the biggest European institutions for cancer research with strong interdisciplinary traditions. It also comprises a hospital specialized in cancer treatment, and covers a continuum of expertise from fundamental research to patient care. The Cavalli Lab is part of the Computational Oncology Unit (U1331 INSERM) at Institut Curie, which consists of ~90 researchers and students. It is a very active and growing interdisciplinary team of bioinformaticians, biologists, physicians, mathematicians, statisticians, physicists, and computer scientists

The Cavalli Lab investigates tumor heterogeneity, targeting clinically relevant questions. The goal of our genomic approaches is to explore clinically relevant aspects of brain tumor biology. We pursue this goal using patient samples profiling, investigating temporal and intra-tumoral/spatial heterogeneity as well as tumor/tumor microenvironment interactions in gliomas and pediatric embryonal brain tumors. Projects in the Cavalli lab are developed within a dynamic and collaborative environment with other researchers and clinicians at Institut Curie and national/international wet lab collaborators.

We seek a talented individual to tackle the complexity of tumor biology and intra-tumoral heterogeneity performing computational analysis of cutting-edge sequencing datasets. S/he will be in charge of the analysis of single-nucleus RNA/ATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics data from brain tumor patient samples or models in close collaboration with experimentalists.
This project focuses on deciphering tumor cell plasticity, including method evaluation/development and biological interpretation of the results. In addition, s/he will contribute to a cross species pediatric tumor model comparison deciphering tumor cell programs. Finally, s/he will investigate the metabolome in IDH-mutant glioma tumors and perform data integration with omics layers.

Qualification
The successful candidate should hold a recent PhD, have a track record of creativity in developing analytic strategies, and a strong foundation of knowledge in one or more of the following: genomics, cancer biology, statistics. Excellent computational skills with experience in single-cell data analysis and/or machine learning based method is highly desirable. Must be self-motivated, capable to work in autonomy and have evidence of scientific accomplishment via peer-reviewed publications. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and a team spirit are essential.

Responsibilities
- Drive and develop scientific projects focused on tumor heterogeneity
- Perform end-to-end data analysis (QC, processing, visualization, interpretation…)
- Analyse single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets
- Decipher metabolomic patterns
- Perform high dimensional data analysis and integrative ‘omic’ data analysis

Experience / Skills
- PhD in bioinformatics, statistics, or computer science with knowledge and interest in biology
- Experience working in a Unix environment and statistical analysis using R
- Experience with single-cell RNA-seq analysis
- Experience with machine learning based methods
- Understanding of cancer cell biology is an asset as well as experience of collaboration with biologists for solving concrete biological problems

Applicants should send (1) a cover letter describing previous work, interests, and career goals, (2) CV, and (3) contact information of three referees to Dr. Cavalli at florence.cavalli@curie.fr.