PhD opportunities at CBI – BEST Doctoral Programme

The CBI (Centre for Integrative Biology) is seeking motivated PhD candidates as part of the BEST Doctoral Programme of the University of Toulouse.

Located in Toulouse, in the sunny southwestern of France, the CBI is a a fundamental biology research institute affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) – the largest public research organization in France – and the University of Toulouse.

The CBI aims to understand the mechanisms, dynamics and behaviors of living organisms, to advance knowledge on the current societal challenges. Research at the CBI use multidisciplinary and multi-scale approaches, from isolated molecules to whole organisms and animal societies, applied to numerous model organisms, from bacteria to animal models and to humans.

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The BEST Doctoral programme

These PhD opportunities are offered through the BEST Doctoral Programme, led by the University of Toulouse and co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND) and the Toulouse Initiative for Research’s Impact on Society (TIRIS)

Thanks to this programme, 19 doctoral candidates will be recruited this year through an international co-supervision scheme across three major TIRIS thematic pillars (Health & Well-being, Global Changes and Sustainable Transitions).

The entire recruitment process will be managed by the University of Toulouse (UT). For additional information: https://doctorat.univ-toulouse.fr/cofund-best

At CBI, we are offering 6 PhD opportunities.

Please contact us at isabelle.saves@utoulouse.fr before applying, or if you have any questions regarding CBI or the recruitment process. Please use the following email subject line: BEST call – [Supervisor name].

List of PhD offers and supervisors – Click on a project to view the full project description.

A synergistic approach: Coupling mathematical modeling and quantitative image analysis to understand cell migration and cytoskeletal dynamics during olfactory organ formation.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Julie Batut, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Virginie Uhlmann, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Electromechanical control of directional cell migration in the intestinal epithelium.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Denis Krndija, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Thuan Beng Saw, Westlake University, China

Architecture, Dynamics and Regulation of the Bacterial LPS HoloTranslocon.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Raffaele Ieva, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Phillip Stansfeld, Warwick University, United Kingdom

Modulating X chromosome gene dosage and senescence induction.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Estelle Nicolas, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Da Rocha Simão Teixeira, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal

Functional characterization of a microprotein at the crossroads of metabolism, interorgan communication and organismal physiology.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Jennifer Zanet, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Gilles Storelli, Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg, Germany

Epigenetic regulation of Transposable Elements and cell cycle checkpoints during the development of the nervous system in Drosophila.

Supervisor / Host Institution: Luisa Di Stefano, CBI, CNRS-UT, France

Co-supervisor / Co-supervising institution: Richa Arya, BHU, India

Eligibility criteria
  • Hold, by 23 November 2026, a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification granting access to doctoral studies in France and not hold a doctoral degree
  • Have not resided in France or carried out your main activity in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding 23 November 2026. Periods of stay as a tourist, refugee, or time spent in national service, are not considered as residency.
  • Have a B2 level of English
Application Process

Call for application – 23 November 2026

Applications must be submitted online through the application platform :  edd-projets.utoulouse.fr

Please contact us at isabelle.saves@utoulouse.fr before applying, or if you have any questions regarding CBI or the recruitment process. Please use the following email subject line: BEST call – [Supervisor name].

Eligibility check – 24 to 30 November 2026

Written evaluation – 4 December to 15 January 2027

Consolidation of pre-selected projects – 19 January to 19 March 2027

Oral evaluation – 29 March to 4 April 2027

Result – April 2027

Starting date: September/October 2027 (Contract duration: 36 months)

For additional information: https://doctorat.univ-toulouse.fr/cofund-best 

Why Join CBI ?

We offer:

  • A cutting-edge research environment bringing together 47 research groups, with access to state-of-the-art core facilities in genomics, imaging, bioinformatics, and more – all dedicated to advancing fundamental research in life sciences
  • A collaborative and international scientific community, committed to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity.
  • Affiliation with leading institutions. CBI is jointly affiliated with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) – the largest public research organization in France – and the University of Toulouse, ensuring strong integration within national and international research networks
  • A campus at the University of Toulouse, one of the most important scientific research clusters in France, offering a multidisciplinary education in the fields of science, health, engineering, and technology. 
  • A supportive career development, including mentoring for fellowship writing, networking, and future job applications
  • Collaborative opportunities across multiple research centers in Toulouse and within European networks
Toulouse, a city of innovation and culture

Toulouse offers a dynamic and affordable city with rich culture, and a high quality of life.

Situated between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, close to the Pyrenees’ Mountain, Toulouse has long been a major crossroad in Europe. Attracting 15,000 newcomers every year, Toulouse boasts a particularly rich vibrant cultural and artistic heritage. Capital of Occitanie Region, the leading French region for research and innovation – with over 15,000 academic researchers and 7,500 PhD students, R&D represents 3.5% of its GDP in 2022.