In the context of the CAS–Inserm Interdisciplinary Aging Research Network (IARN), this postdoctoral position will focus on developing and harmonizing measures of biological aging across Chinese and French populations.

China and France have established complementary aging cohorts with strong assets in innovative biomarkers, multi-omics profiling, longitudinal follow-up and intervention datasets. However, definitions of biological age, biomarker inclusion criteria, and reference standards remain heterogeneous, which limits cross-cohort comparability, transnational validation and clinical translation.

The postdoctoral fellow will align analytical frameworks, validate biomarkers across Chinese and French populations and translate multi-omics discoveries into scalable assays suitable for clinical deployment.

Key scientific questions include the following:

- Are data sharing, federated models and harmonized validation pipelines feasible across China and France?

- Which aging biomarkers are robust and stable across cohorts in China and France?

The work program includes:

- Comparative mapping of Chinese and French aging cohorts;

- Cross-validation of aging clocks and liquid-biopsy-based biomarker panels, including innovative biomarkers identified in both countries;

- Development of shared reference standards and consensus guidelines;

- Bilateral exchange activities to standardize laboratory calibration and ensure reproducibility.

Operationally, the postdoctoral fellow will be invited to:

- Map the major aging cohorts in China by visiting key institutions and hospitals affiliated with CAS that are involved in innovative aging biomarkers and cohorts. Together with a Chinese postdoc who has conducted a parallel mapping in France, they will identify existing cohorts, propose strategies to harmonize analytical methodologies, allow data sharing according to existing regulations in China and France and help establish a framework for a collaborative Chinese–Franco research program on comparative cohort studies;

- Implement reciprocal technologies and analyze existing samples from Chinese cohorts, based on the research program elaborated from the mapping phase;

- Be hosted in the team of Prof. QU Jing (Institute of Zoology, CAS, Beijing), who will supervise and coordinate his/her work across the different China cohorts and his/her interactions with the Chinese Post-doc in France and the French collaborators involved in the CAS–Inserm IARN.

Expected outcomes:

- Comprehensive map of aging cohorts and studies in China and France;

- Shared reference biomarkers and consensus guidelines for comparative cohort studies;

- Harmonized quality control procedures, regulatory frameworks and analytical pipelines;

- Innovative biological aging biomarkers validated in transnational population studies.

Requirements:

- PhD degree;

- Strong practical and conceptual background in molecular and cellular biology;

- Experience in translational research.

- Fluency in Chinese and French would be considered a strong asset.

- Applicants must hold, or be able to demonstrate, an active academic affiliation with Inserm or an established collaborative relationship with Inserm at the time of application.

Salary

Remuneration varies depending on the candidate's professional experience and the research unit's location. The gross annual salary generally amounts to approximately RMB 250,000 (from 0 to 4 years after the PhD).

Starting date:

- October 2026, for a duration of two years.

Application:

Candidates are invited to send a CV, a motivation letter, and at least one reference letter to QU Jing (qujing@ioz.ac.cn) and fishguo@ioz.ac.cn before 24 July 2026.