Post-doctoral position in Organic and Supramolecular Chemistry (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

Synthetic helical polymers represent a class of macromolecules whose controlled chiral conformations confer unique structural and functional properties. Foldamer chemistry provides a powerful conceptual framework for programming stable helices through sequence-defined motifs and directional intramolecular interactions. Transposing these principles to polymer synthesis enables the design of foldamer-inspired helical polymers that are structurally precise and feature functional, biodegradable, or eco-compatible backbones. Our ANR-funded project aims to bridge the gap between foldamer chemistry and polymer science.
The postdoctoral researcher will have as a main objective to develop synthetic approaches to access the first generation of helical polymers, inspired by the urea-based foldamers developed in our group. He/She will contribute to advancing fundamental knowledge on the folding of these polymers and to exploring their applications in molecular recognition, with a focus on studying their biodegradability properties.

Activity

Activities will be distributed as follows:
1) Organic Synthesis (main task, full responsibility):
Design and optimization of multiple synthetic routes to access helical urea polymers.
Structural Characterization (main task, full responsibility):
2) Chemical analysis of synthesized compounds; analysis of helical properties using NMR (1D, 2D), circular dichroism, and X-ray diffraction; molecular weight determination; thermal properties analysis.
3) Application Development (secondary task, shared responsibility):
Exploration of properties in chiral catalysis and selective molecular recognition.
4) Scientific Writing and Communication (main task):
Writing scientific reports.
Preparation of manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, including experimental sections.
Presentation of results during scientific meetings with project partners.
Presentation of results at national and/or international conferences.
5) Supervision (secondary task):
Co-supervision of Master's students (experimental guidance and training in synthesis techniques).

Your Profil

Skills

1) Technical Skills (expert level required):
PhD in Organic Chemistry. Advanced mastery of organic synthesis techniques.
Confirmed experience in structural characterization (NMR, UV-Vis/IR/CD spectroscopies, GPC/HPLC chromatography, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction).
Experience in foldamer chemistry or polymer chemistry.

2) Advanced Theoretical Knowledge:
Organic Chemistry.
Supramolecular and Macromolecular Chemistry.
Folding mechanisms and conformational stability.

3) Soft Skills and Personal Qualities:
Autonomy: Ability to independently manage a research project.
Scientific rigor: Precision in experimental protocols and data analysis.
Team spirit: Integration into a multidisciplinary team.
Strong writing skills.
Advanced English: Writing scientific papers, oral presentations, and exchanges with international colleagues.

4) Possible Internal Training:
Training on specific laboratory equipment (e.g., analytical and preparative HPLC, NMR spectrometers, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism).
Training in results valorization.

Your Work Environment

This project, which combines molecular chemistry, foldamer chemistry, and macromolecular chemistry, will be primarily carried out in the group of Gilles Guichard at the Institut de Chimie et Biologie des Membranes et Nanoobjets (CBMN), within the Institut Européen de Chimie et Biologie (IECB). CBMN and IECB are dynamic and interdisciplinary research centers located on the campus of the University of Bordeaux, France. The laboratory is fully equipped for chemical synthesis, and both the institute and the University of Bordeaux campus have technological platforms featuring state-of-the-art instrumentation for physicochemical analysis (NMR, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, X-ray diffraction, etc.).
The project will be conducted in close collaboration with:
A group of macromolecular chemists led by Daniel Taton from LCPO (Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Bordeaux).
A group of microbiologists (Sébastien Vilain) from CBMN.
It will involve regular participation in scientific meetings among the project partners.

Constraints and risks

1) Health and Safety Constraints related to chemical handling. Strict compliance with laboratory safety rules (use of PPE: lab coat, gloves, goggles). Chemical synthesis experiments will be conducted in Gilles Guichard's group at IECB in a fully equipped laboratory with fume hoods and standard lab equipment.
2) Travel: Occasional missions in France and abroad (conferences, collaborations) are to be expected.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

between 3041.58€ and 4216.7€

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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