Post-doctoral position for the development of new mercury detoxification approaches - M/F

Job Description

Missions

This post-doctoral subject is part of the three-year project HgNeuroDetox funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche devoted to rationalize new mercury (Hg) detoxification approaches. HgNeuroDetox is a multidisciplinary project whose objective is the high-throughput discovery of promising compounds for mercury (Hg) detoxification with a major focus on the neurotoxic aspects of this contaminant.
: It is well known that Hg forms stable adducts with sulfur (S) and selenium (Se)-containing compounds. It has also been observed that the detoxification mechanism against organomercurials and inorganic mercury in wild animals (bird, fish, rat) and even humans is based on the interaction of cysteine (Cys) and selenocysteine (Sec) of proteins and metabolites forming less toxic and more stable Hg forms which favor their body excretion. For this reason, we share the diffused hypothesis that thiol and selenol compounds could be exploited to plan efficient strategies counterattacking the environmental Hg toxicity.
References:
- Bernabeu De Maria M., T. Zangmo, Gawor A., Bulska E., Messori L., Szpunar J., Lobinski R., Miqueu K., Ronga L. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers (2026), 13, 32.
- Bernabeu De Maria M., Tesauro D., Prencipe F., Saviano M., Messori L., Enjalbal C., Lobinski R., Ronga L. Inorganic Chemistry (2023), 62, 14980.
- Bernabeu De Maria M., Lamarche J., Ronga L., Messori L., Szpunar J., Lobinski R. Coordination Chemistry Reviews (2023), 474, 214836.
- Geri A., Zineddu S., Massai L., Ronga L., Lobinski R., Gailer J., Messori L. J. Inorganic Biochemistry (2024),252, 112479.

Activity

- Select candidate peptides containing Sec or Cys residues
- Assess their ability to bind Hg and displace CH3-Hg-moiety bound to model proteins by Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and electrospray (ESI) mass spectrometry.
- The reactivity of CH3Hg+ with S- and Se- compounds will be characterized
- Hg adduct structure, stoichiometry, and binding site will be elucidated.

Your Profil

Skills

The ideal candidate should have
- A PhD degree in biomolecular chemistry, bio-inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry or a related field at the beginning of the postdoc.
- He or she should have skills in mass-spectrometry and a general knowledge on peptides and proteins chemistry.
- Applicants must submit a CV and a cover letter, including the contact details of two referees.

Your Work Environment

IPREM UMR 5254 (Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physical Chemistry for Environment and Materials) located in Pau (South-West of France) is a joint CNRS/Université de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour research unit with 350 staff, including 125 permanent staff and 170 doctoral and post-doctoral students of very diverse nationalities. It houses a large number of analytical chemistry instruments, including ICP-MS and HRMS, which will be used during the post-doctoral project. https://iprem.univ-pau.fr/fr/index.html

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,041.58 and €3,156 gross monthly according experience

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

The research professions