République Française Inserm
Institut thématique Immunologie, inflammation, infectiologie et microbiologie

Call for postdoctoral positions in diabetes research - Inserm/DZD collaboration

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES

The rising prevalence of diabetes as a chronic disease constitutes a major public health challenge, closely associated with lifestyle, nutritional, environmental and genetic factors.

In this context, Inserm is launching a call for applications to support French German collaborative research in diabetes through the funding of two postdoctoral positions. The program is designed to enable researchers to carry out a two-year postdoctoral stay in French Inserm laboratories, within the framework of joint research projects.

Applicants must hold a PhD degree obtained in the last 4 years and propose a research project focused on diabetes, to be conducted in a host Inserm laboratory in France in collaboration with a German team associated with the Deutsches Zentrum für Diabetesforschung (DZD).

The thematic scope of eligible projects includes fundamental, translational and/or clinical research related to diabetes type-1 or type-2, diabetes-related clinical complications or development of new therapeutic, diagnostic or technological tools. Projects may involve the joint use of data, biobanks, and cohorts to foster innovative approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes.

This program aims to promote and strengthen scientific collaboration between French and German research teams, whether newly established or already existing. As the funding covers salary costs only, host laboratories are required to demonstrate the availability of complementary financial resources to ensure the successful implementation of the proposed research project.
 

FUNDING CONDITIONS

  • Two-year postdoctoral salary ranging from 53 to 62 k¤ (gross annual including social security contributions, depending on experience and funded by INSERM).
  • Additional funding for project implementation (operating costs, consumables, missions, etc.) must be secured by the host laboratory and clearly documented in the application.


ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applications are open to candidates holding a doctoral degree obtained in the last 4 years, preferably in Germany; the call is open to all citizenships. Positions will be awarded based on scientific excellence. Inserm is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications by woman scientists.

Applicants must submit a detailed research proposal demonstrating the scientific quality, feasibility, and relevance of the project, as well as its consistency with the research objectives and expertise of the host Inserm laboratory.

The project may involve two Inserm teams, however the laureate will be officially affiliated with only one French laboratory for the duration of the contract. If a second French team is involved, the project should briefly describe the added value provided by that team.


EVALUATION AND SELECTION

Applications will be assessed by independent scientific experts in the field of diabetes research and will include at least one expert from DZD Germany.

Evaluation criteria include:

  • Scientific excellence of the candidate
  • Quality, feasibility, and expected impact of the research project
  • Adequacy of the host laboratory environment and available resources
  • Candidate’s skills and experience relevant to the project

>>>>> Download the call Text


APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Applications must be in English, submitted onlinehttps://pmn.inserm.fr/index.php?pagendx=1238

The application file must be submitted in one go in one single PDF file (less than 2MB) and include the following documents:

  • The application form (maximum 2 pages)
  • A research project, including objectives, methodological approaches and added value of the German-French collaboration (maximum 2 pages, excluding references)
  • Curriculum vitae of the applicant
  • Formal letter of support from the host Inserm laboratory, including a statement on the financial and technical resources mobilized for project implementation
  • Formal letter of the German collaborator acknowledging his/her participation in the project

>>>>> Download the application file 
 

TIMELINE

  • Deadline for application submission: June 5th, 2026, time 5 pm
  • Notification of selected candidates: End of June 2026
  • Expected starting date of positions: Preferably by September 2026


CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact: Inserm Thematic Institute Physiopathology, Metabolism and Nutrition
Email: contact.itpmn@inserm.fr