Description of the thesis topic

The PhD project aims to develop a new bioconjugation technology for the production of radiopharmaceuticals. This technology involves synthetic supramolecular partners capable of rapid and selective self-assembly under mild and biocompatible conditions.
The PhD student will use this technology to develop nuclear imaging tools (via positron emission tomography) for pulmonary fibrosis, using a pre-targeting approach.

Activities:
-Organic synthesis and structural characterization of molecular platforms for bioconjugation
-Grafting of these platforms onto vector proteins (antibodies) through random and enzymatic conjugation
-Radiolabeling of bioconjugates with ⁶⁸Ga and ¹⁸F
-Planning and supervision of in vivo biological studies
-Writing of results (patent applications and scientific publications)

Work Context

This project is part of an ANR-funded initiative (SUPRALABEL Project, ANR-24-CE18-7483). The PhD will be carried out as a co-tutelle (joint supervision) between two laboratories: ICMUB in Dijon and the BioMaps laboratory in Orsay.

The Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l'Université de Bourgogne (ICMUB, UMR 6302) is a joint research unit of CNRS and Université Bourgogne Europe, directed by Professor Jean-Cyrille Hierso (Professor, UBE). The recruited candidate will join the RITM team (Radiopharmaceuticals, Imaging, Theranostics, and Multimodality), led by Dr. Victor Goncalves (Associate Professor, UBE), and will be supervised by Dr. Victor Goncalves (HDR).

BioMaps is a major research center in medical imaging at the interface of Physics, Chemistry, and Medicine within Paris-Saclay. It is jointly supported by CEA, Inserm, CNRS, and Université Paris-Saclay. The unit brings together key expertise and state-of-the-art facilities essential for the development of innovative imaging approaches and their application to the study of pathophysiological processes, diagnostics, and therapeutic evaluation. The PhD candidate will conduct research at BioMaps under the supervision of Dr. Simon Specklin.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

This position falls within a sector related to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) in France. In accordance with regulations, the candidate's appointment must be authorized by the competent authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

The candidate will be required to work for extended periods at both sites.

Identified Risks Related to the Position:
-Work in a chemistry laboratory: handling of chemical substances, use of compressed gases, exposure to magnetic fields (NMR)
-Work in a radiochemistry laboratory: handling of ionizing substances, requiring exposure monitoring