New Methodologies and Applications in Bioorthogonal Chemistry and Chemical Biology M/F

Job Description

Summary of the scientific project

This project aims to develop new methodologies in bioorthogonal chemistry for applications in in vivo imaging, targeted therapy, and diagnostics. Bioorthogonal reactions, which are selective and biocompatible, enable the labeling, modification, or activation of biomolecules in complex environments without disrupting biological processes. The work will focus on:

• Designing new, rapid, and selective bioorthogonal reactions for biomolecule labeling and the study of molecular mechanisms and/or cellular processes.
• Developing probes, bioconjugates, and new molecular engineering methods for medical imaging, tissue- or cell-scale diagnostics, and targeted delivery (antibody-drug conjugates, nanovectors).
• Applying these tools to major health challenges (cancer, infectious diseases, neurodegeneration, pain, gene therapy).
• Valorizing results in collaboration with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

This project is part of a translational research approach, in line with national and European priorities in health and therapeutic innovation.

Summary of the teaching project

The chair will offer innovative teaching in bioorthogonal chemistry and chemical biology, tailored to the needs of partner universities and industrial stakeholders. Courses will cover:

• Fundamental principles of bioorthogonal chemistry and click reactions.
• Synthesis and functionalization methodologies for biomolecules.
• Applications in imaging, diagnostics, and targeted therapy.
• Challenges in translational research and innovation in health.

These courses will be delivered at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, with a strong practical component (laboratory work, tutored projects, internships in laboratories or companies). The chair will also promote the creation of continuing education modules for professionals, in collaboration with competitiveness clusters and industrial networks.

Potential host facilities

• INC - CNRS Chimie
• CEISAM - Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité : Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation
• CBST - Chémo-Biologie Synthétique & Thérapeutique
• BioCIS - Biomolécules : conception, isolement, synthèse
• ICSN - Institut de Chimie des Substances Naturelles

Your Profil

Profile Required

Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Your Work Environment

Host Lab Strategy

CBST (Strasbourg)
The Laboratory of Synthetic and Therapeutic Chemical Biology (CBST) is a key player in bioorthogonal chemistry, with recognized expertise in bioconjugation, click reaction development, and biomolecule engineering. This laboratory develops innovative strategies for protein labeling and functionalization, as well as applications in imaging and targeted therapy. The chair would strengthen this dynamic and attract international talent while fostering partnerships with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

CEISAM (Nantes)
The Chemistry and Interdisciplinarity: Synthesis, Analysis, Modeling (CEISAM) laboratory specializes in molecular chemistry and its applications in health, food, and materials. CEISAM develops innovative synthesis methodologies, particularly in organic and organometallic chemistry, and more recently in bioorthogonal electrochemistry. It has high-performance analytical platforms. The chair would integrate bioorthogonal chemistry into its research axes, in line with health and biotechnology challenges.

BioCIS (Cergy-Pontoise/ Orsay)
The BioCIS laboratory (Biomolecules: Design, Isolation, Synthesis) is a key player in medicinal chemistry and biomolecule synthesis, with recognized expertise in peptide chemistry, glycosides, and fluorinated molecules. BioCIS collaborates closely with the pharmaceutical industry and has screening platforms and a chemical library. The chair would strengthen its position in bioorthogonal chemistry, particularly for the development of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

ICSN (Gif-sur-Yvette)
The Institute of Chemistry of Natural Substances (ICSN) conducts research at the chemistry-biology interface, with strong expertise in bioorthogonal chemistry for the study of complex biological targets. ICSN has recently developed bioorthogonal probes for imaging mycobacterial cell walls, illustrating its potential in diagnostics and fundamental research. The chair would strengthen this approach and foster collaborations with the institute's screening and structural analysis platforms.

Institution Strategy

Bioorthogonal chemistry, recognized by the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is an emerging and transformative discipline that enables selective chemical reactions in complex biological environments without disrupting natural processes. This approach opens major perspectives in medical imaging, targeted therapy, diagnostics, and biotechnology. However, despite its potential, France lags behind countries such as the United States, Switzerland, or Germany, where this discipline is already widely integrated into research and innovation strategies.

The CNRS, in partnership with universities and targeted laboratories, aims to strengthen this thematic area by structuring a dedicated French scientific community, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, and accelerating the transfer of innovations to industry. The creation of this chair aligns with the national strategy to support translational research and innovation in health, in line with the France 2030 plan and CNRS priorities in chemistry for life sciences

International Strategy

Bioorthogonal chemistry is a rapidly expanding field with major applications in health, diagnostics, and biotechnology. While France has significant scientific potential, it remains behind countries such as the United States, where this discipline is already widely industrialized and integrated into translational research strategies.

Recruiting a talented junior professor, trained abroad or in France, would invigorate French research in bioorthogonal chemistry and attract international students and researchers. The chair will rely on existing networks (European collaborations, industrial partnerships) to enhance France's attractiveness and promote scientific exchanges, while showcasing the technological platforms of partner laboratories.
Attracting a young researcher, potentially trained abroad in countries that have successfully developed such activities, is facilitated by the CPJ program, which will provide an adapted environment for the laureate to launch their project.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Annual salary from 54 600 Euros to 57 800 Euros depending on professionnal experience.

Total funding

200k€

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€

Research Policy

Open Science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

Science and society

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

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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