Missions

The recruited person will contribute to the functionalization and characterization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for biosensing applications. Their main role will be to optimize DNA grafting onto AuNPs, assess the grafting density, and study biomolecular interactions—particularly protein/DNA interactions—and to develop a robust and reproducible protocol. The recruited person will ensure efficient surface functionalization, enabling precise control of biomolecule density. Additionally, she will perform radiolabeling experiments and fluorescence-based assays and contribute to the development of biosensors.

Activities

- Surface Functionalization & DNA Grafting: Graft chemically synthesized and purified DNA onto gold nanorods (AuNRs) using DNA modified with a primary amine or a thiol group. Develop a protocol to optimize DNA attachment, improving both stability and specificity.

- Quantification of DNA Density on AuNRs: Develop a protocol using 32P-labeled DNA or fluorescence to evaluate grafting efficiency.

- Functionalization with Dual-Tagged dsDNA for FRET Studies: Graft fluorophore-labeled DNA strands onto AuNRs and hybridize them to form duplex DNA.

- Analyte Preparation for Biosensing: Prepare and characterize proteins and small molecules at varying concentrations for binding studies with DNA

- Data Analysis & Interpretation: the recruited person will be expected to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, contribute to protocol development, and ensure the reproducibility of experiments for future applications in biosensing technologies.

Skills

The recruited person must hold a PhD in chemistry, physics, biophysics, or a related field. and should have a background in chemistry, physical chemistry, or biophysics, and experience in surface functionalization with biomolecules, particularly DNA on gold nanoparticles. Additional training or experience in biology would be appreciated. The person recruited must have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface between physics and biology. She must be capable of working effectively in a collaborative environment and contribute independently to the development of new protocols.

Work Context

The recruited person will work at the École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay (Gif-sur-Yvette) in the Laboratoire de Biologie et Pharmacologie Appliquée (LBPA), UMR8113 CNRS. The LBPA consists of around thirty permanent staff members (researchers, faculty members, engineers, and technicians), as well as postdoctoral researchers, doctoral students, and interns. It is a laboratory specializing in the study of fundamental biological mechanisms at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as associated pathologies.
The recruited person will join a team specializing in nucleic acids in a laboratory equipped with state-of-the-art tools for characterizing the studied systems and will work closely with PhD students. The laboratory has UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrometers, as well as a work area with radioactive isotopes for DNA labeling with 32P.

The position is located at the École Normale Supérieure Paris-Saclay in Gif-sur-Yvette.