Phd Position In Organ-On-Chip Pharmacogenomics And Toxicology

The FOCUS project (Functional microphysiological Organ Cultures for Understanding pharmacogenomics and toxicology Susceptibilities) is a proof‑of‑concept validation program hosted by the Center for Innovation in Oncology of Lyon (CICLY) at University Claude Bernard Lyon 1. It addresses the critical limitation of traditional preclinical models that fail to capture human genetic heterogeneity, thereby limiting their relevance for precision medicine. By creating a next‑generation miniaturized human hepatic model, the project seeks to enhance the predictive power of organ‑on‑chip systems for safety and pharmacological assessment.

The research plan integrates cutting‑edge biotechnologies: 3D hepatic cultures derived from HepaRG cells, primary patient hepatocytes, and iPS‑cell‑derived hepatocytes are combined with biomatrix‑enhanced microfluidic platforms. This approach enables precise control of shear stress, nutrient gradients, and cellular interactions, closely mimicking the in vivo liver microenvironment. The platform will be used to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphisms on drug metabolism, focusing on cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450) and UDP‑glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), as well as the PNPLA3 rs738409 variant linked to non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Experimental workflow includes multi‑omic analyses (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to map genotype‑phenotype relationships, microphysiological modeling to quantify functional readouts such as albumin secretion, urea production, and cytochrome activity, and genotype‑guided dosing strategies to evaluate interindividual variability in drug response. The project also emphasizes scalability and time‑resolved measurements, facilitating dynamic monitoring of drug‑induced toxicity pathways.

Expected outcomes include a validated organ‑on‑chip platform that can reproduce pharmacogenomic diversity, providing a tool for academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to improve drug safety testing and enable personalized medicine. The PhD candidate will receive training in stem cell biology, microfluidic engineering, analytical techniques, and data integration, positioning them for careers in biomedical research, pharmaceutical development, or regulatory science.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree in biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, or a related field, with hands‑on experience in cell culture, molecular biology techniques (PCR, SDS‑PAGE, immunological assays), and fluorescence imaging. Knowledge of pharmacology or toxicology is advantageous. The position is full‑time and based in Lyon, Auvergne‑Rhône‑Alpes region, France.