Senior Group Leader – Rare Genetic Eye Diseases and Therapeutic Innovation

Institut Imagine is a leading European research centre dedicated to better understanding, diagnosing, and treating genetic diseases. Located on the Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital campus in central Paris, the institute is affiliated with Inserm and Université Paris Cité and supported by a private foundation.

Institut Imagine currently hosts 30 research groups conducting both fundamental and translational research in a broad range of rare and genetic disorders. The institute offers a highly collaborative environment, state-of-the-art core facilities, access to rare disease cohorts, and close interactions with clinical services and reference centres.

As part of its strategic development in vision research, Institut Imagine is seeking an outstanding scientist to join the institute as a Senior Group Leader in Rare Genetic Eye Diseases and Therapeutic Innovation.

The successful candidate will lead an internationally visible research program focused on inherited eye diseases, combining disease mechanisms, human modelling, and therapeutic development. We are particularly interested in candidates working at the interface of ophthalmology, stem cell and developmental biology, human genetics, and precision medicine.

Research Areas of Interest

Applications are invited from researchers with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• molecular and cellular mechanisms of rare inherited eye diseases;
• ocular development, degeneration, fibrosis, and tissue plasticity;
• gene regulatory networks controlling ocular development and cell fate specification
• patient-derived iPSC models and ocular organoids;
• CRISPR/Cas-based disease modelling and functional genomics;
• genotype–phenotype correlation and variant interpretation including coding, non-coding, splicing, regulatory, and nonsense mutations;
• development of innovative therapies, including:
  • RNA therapeutics,
  • antisense oligonucleotides,
  • readthrough approaches for nonsense mutations,
  • gene editing,
  • cell-based therapies,
  • mutation-independent or pathway-based therapeutic strategies.
• preclinical target validation using disease models, organoids, and animal systems;
• biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and translational frameworks supporting therapeutic readiness.

The successful candidate is expected to develop a program that bridges basic discovery and translational application, with the potential to advance precision ophthalmology for rare genetic diseases.

Environment

The position offers a unique opportunity to build a major program in ocular genetics and translational ophthalmology within a world-class rare disease institute. The successful candidate will benefit from strong institutional expertise in human genetics, genomics, RNA biology, bioinformatics, developmental biology, and advanced therapies, as well as close links with Necker Hospital and national and European rare disease networks.

Key Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate:

• recognized expertise in inherited eye diseases, ocular development, and translational ophthalmology, supported by an outstanding record of peer-reviewed publications;
• strong experience in human stem cell biology, including the derivation and use of patient-specific iPSC models and advanced ocular organoid systems;
• demonstrated ability to develop human disease models relevant to retinal, corneal, iris, or other ocular disorders, and to use these systems for mechanistic and translational studies;
• expertise in developmental and regenerative approaches to ocular biology, including tissue specification, degeneration, fibrosis, or cellular plasticity;
• experience in integrating CRISPR-based genome engineering, functional genomics, and single-cell or multi-omic profiling to investigate disease mechanisms and therapeutic response;
• the ability to bridge rare disease genetics, disease modelling, and therapeutic innovation, including RNA-based therapies, readthrough approaches for nonsense mutations, gene modulation strategies, or cell-based therapies;
• a strong track record of scientific leadership, competitive funding, and successful multidisciplinary collaborations involving basic, translational, and clinical research;
• excellent communication, mentoring, and team-building skills, with the capacity to structure a visible and ambitious research program within the institute.

Profile

Applicants should have:

• a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in a relevant field;
• an outstanding publication record and strong international visibility;
• a proven ability to lead an ambitious research program;
• a strong track record in competitive funding, mentoring, and scientific leadership;
• the ability to develop collaborative projects across basic, clinical, and translational research.

Particular interest will be given to candidates with expertise in human stem cell models, ocular organoids, rare disease genetics, and/or therapeutic development for inherited eye disorders.

What We Offer

Institut Imagine offers:

• a senior-level group leader position;
• an internationally competitive package;
• access to cutting-edge technological platforms;
• a dynamic and collaborative scientific environment;
• strong clinical integration and translational opportunities in rare genetic diseases.

Application

Applicants should submit:

• a full curriculum vitae,
• a complete publication list,
• a research statement of past research interests
• future research plans,
• 3 recommendation letters.

Applications must be received by 10^th of September 2026. 

Applications must be sent by email at : [email protected]

Pre-selected candidates will be notified from 24^th of September 2026 for auditions by the Scientific Advisory Board.

Integration of the new group can be effective from January 2027 onwards.

Institut Imagine is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from outstanding scientists of all nationalities and backgrounds.