Researcher (M/F) on a fixed-term contract in the design, synthesis, and characterization of metallacrown-based imaging agents incorporating near-infrared-emitting lanthanides

Job Description

Missions

The selected candidate will synthesize near-infrared-emitting lanthanide metallacrown complexes (design, organic and inorganic synthesis). These compounds will serve as optical imaging agents that will enable a specific analysis of motor neurons and microglial cells from patients and their interaction within three-dimensional (3D) organoids.
These imaging agents should absorb excitation light within the biological transparency window and emit in the near-infrared spectral range. Another aspect of the mission is to scale up the syntheses in order to produce sufficient quantities of these imaging agents to meet the needs of the project. An additional component of this mission is to optimize the solubility of the imaging agents in biological media through chemical modification.

Activity

- Design, synthesis, and characterization of lanthanide-based metallacrown complexes that emit in the near-infrared;
- Scaling up of syntheses;
- Development of new lanthanide sensitizers that allow excitation within the biological transparency window to increase the depth of analysis in organoids;
- Control of solubility in biological media through chemical modification;
- Physicochemical characterization of the compounds obtained (nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry);
- Spectroscopic characterization: analysis of photophysical properties (measurement of absorption, excitation, and emission spectra; determination of quantum yields and luminescence lifetimes);
- Characterization of the biological behavior of these imaging agents:
- Optical biological imaging in the near-infrared range;
- Data analysis and processing;
- Intellectual contribution to the implementation and development of the project;
- Drafting of publications and preparation of presentations for seminars and conferences.

Your Profil

Skills

- Experience in organic chemistry and coordination chemistry (design and synthesis);
- Knowledge of physicochemical techniques for characterizing synthesized products;
- Ability to identify innovative lanthanide sensitizers;
- Ability to work as part of a team on a multidisciplinary project;
- Ability to work independently, acquire new concepts, learn new techniques, and demonstrate critical thinking, rigor, and motivation;
- Organizational skills to ensure the traceability and reproducibility of experiments;
- Ability to disseminate scientific results; write reports and scientific publications;
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken.
Experience in the field of optical imaging is a plus.

Your Work Environment

The candidate will be part of the “Lanthanide Luminescent Compounds, Spectroscopy, and Optical Bioimaging” team (https://cbm.cnrs-orleans.fr/fr/research/chemistry-imaging-and-exobiology/luminescent-lanthanides-compounds-optical-spectroscopy-bioimaging/) at the Orléans Center for Molecular Biophysics, a CNRS unit (https://cbm.cnrs-orleans.fr/fr/ - CBM, CNRS UPR 4301). This laboratory focuses heavily on biomedical imaging, conducting research at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and physics.
The selected candidate will work on the ANR NiNA project “ Lanthanide-based Near-infrared imaging agents associated with humanIPSC-derived microglia for the study of Neuroinflammation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis” led by the “Immuno-Neuro Modulation” (INEM) laboratory, CNRS UMR 7355, also located on the Orléans campus.
The candidate will work closely with team members who possess complementary areas of expertise (a Research Director specializing in the synthesis of luminescent lanthanide compounds, a CNRS Research Director specializing in spectroscopy, an Associate Professor of Biology, a CNRS Research Engineer specializing in molecular separation, and two Ph.D. students).
44 days of annual leave per year, access to an on-site staff cafeteria, 75% employer contribution toward public transportation passes, a sustainable mobility allowance, sports activities organized by the local social action committee, an outdoor recreation center on campus, etc.
The candidate will have access to all of the team's facilities (biology and biochemistry laboratories, cell analysis and culture laboratories, high-performance liquid chromatography laboratories, and custom-designed near-infrared optical spectroscopy and imaging equipment) as well as other shared facilities available at the CBM and the research laboratories in Orléans.

Constraints and risks

None

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

from 3 041,58 € gross monthly depending on 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