Missions

A postdoctoral position (18 months, possibly renewable) is available within the CNRS Coordination Chemistry Laboratory, in the team New antimalarial molecules and pharmacological approaches (UPR8241 CNRS / UMR1289 Inserm). The medicinal chemistry project focuses on synthesizing new molecules that are active against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, which is resistant to current drugs. The project involves studying the structure-activity relationship of several hits synthesized within the team to optimize their pharmacological properties. These molecules, which may comprise several pharmacophores, can contain condensed heterocycles linked by flexible junction arms. The aim of this work is to take one or more drug candidates through to preclinical development. This involves synthesizing numerous derivatives, which will be evaluated by the team's biologists, as well as optimizing the synthesis of the most promising molecules.

Activités

• Design and perform chemical syntheses according to the objectives and timeline.
• Deliver new products with high purity and full characterization.
• Work in collaboration with technical and scientific facilities of the laboratory, to reach objectives.
• Actively participate in all team seminars and scientific meetings.
• Report his/her results periodically, according to the regularity required by the projects, in the form of written reports and oral presentations, to the research team and collaborators.

Compétences

• PhD in chemistry and especially in medicinal chemistry.
• High level in organic synthesis, and background knowledge in biochemistry.
• Strong interest in therapeutic applications.
• A prior post-doctoral experience will be considered a benefit.
• An interest in coordination chemistry will be appreciated.
• Confirmed research activity by relevant publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Desire and capacity for working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experienced, creative, autonomous and team player.

Contexte de travail

Close interaction between the team's chemists and biologists will ensure that the research project progresses as optimal as possible. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate autonomy and will be required to supervise Masters and Doctorate students. He/She will receive support and mentoring when responding to calls for projects, with the possibility of a permanent position at the CNRS.
The team is based on a CNRS campus near the University of Toulouse. This offers a stimulating research environment and access to state-of-the-art technological platforms within the laboratory and on campus. The Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination is internationally recognized for the quality of its work, and the team is a leader in the field of antimalarial pharmacology. Toulouse is a lively, fast-growing city in south-west France, with the second-largest student population in France.