Head and neck tumors are still a deadly disease where ionizing irradiation is a major pilar of treatment. However, radiotherapy can also induce an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment where the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C recently was shown to play several roles promoting tumor regrowth (Loustau et al., 2026, EMBO Mol Med). We have developed the novel MAREMO peptide to target tenascin-C and have found that it activates anti-tumor immunity, which subsequently induces tumor regression and supports radiotherapy effects in spheroid cultures. Here we like to determine in more detail in 3D cell culture and in vivo tumor models how targeting tenascin-C with the MAREMO peptide impacts tumor immunity. Recent publications: Li 2024, PNAS; Benn 2023, Sci Adv, Fonta 2023, Matrix Biol; Loustau 2022, Matrix Biol; Yilmaz 2022, J Cell Sci; Murdamoothoo 2021, EMBO Mol Med; Deligne 2020, Cancer Immun Res; Spenle 2020, Cancer Immun Res.

Our international laboratory (https://orend-tme-group.com) is located in the center of Strasbourg and belongs to the INSERM unit 1109 dedicated to immunology research on autoimmune diseases, virology and cancer.

This position is offered for 12 months with a potential renewal.
Keywords: onco-immunology, tumor immunity, tumor microenvironment, tenascin-C targeting.

Candidate profile: We are seeking a highly motivated PhD or research engineer who wants to develop his/her own research project in a good team-working spirit. The candidate must be strongly motivated for comprehensive research using multiple technologies. The candidate should speak English and have knowledge and experience in cancer immunology, particularly in murine tumor models, histology, cell culture, biochemistry and flow cytometry. Specific expertise in bioinformatics is a plus.

Application: Please send a concise cover letter with a statement of research interests and a summary of previous research activity and achievements along with a detailed curriculum vitae and two reference letters to Gertraud Orend: gertraud.orend@inserm.fr.