PhD Candidate in Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Thesis subject : Development of New Manganese-Based Targeted MRI Contrast Agents
Current gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents present potential toxicity risks, motivating the search for safer alternatives. This PhD project aims to address several major challenges: designing Mn(II) complexes that combine high thermodynamic and kinetic stability with excellent relaxivity, and developing multimeric architectures capable of increasing the local Mn(II) concentration to enhance MRI contrast. Ultimately, the project seeks to pave the way for the first targeted molecular MRI contrast agents, enabling the in vivo detection of specific biomarkers and opening new opportunities for early disease diagnosis and patient monitoring.

The PhD student (M/F) will be involved in the design of molecular structures, the multi-step organic synthesis of ligands, the preparation of their metal complexes, and their bioconjugation. During the PhD, the candidate will develop expertise in organic synthesis, coordination chemistry, bioconjugation, and molecular imaging.

Your Work Environment

The PhD project will be affiliated with the Doctoral School of Chemical Sciences at the University of Strasbourg (ED222). The PhD candidate (M/F) will benefit from access to the university restaurant, partial reimbursement of public transportation costs, and the opportunity to attend professional and scientific training courses.

The IPHC, a joint research unit jointly supervised by the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg (UMR7178), is a multidisciplinary laboratory where research teams from different scientific backgrounds (ecology, physiology and ethology, chemistry, and subatomic physics) develop high-level research programs based on scientific instrumentation. The IPHC is organized into three departments and has a total staff of 393 employees (M/F), including 257 permanent staff (119 researchers and faculty members and 138 engineers and technicians, M/F), 46 employees on fixed-term contracts, and 102 doctoral students (M/F).

The PhD student will join the SynPA (Synthesis for Analysis) research team, which currently consists of eight permanent researchers/faculty members, two PhD candidates, and one postdoctoral researcher. The PhD candidate will be supervised by Aline Nonat, CNRS Research Director.
The PhD candidate (M/F) will benefit from all the material resources (state-of-the-art instrumentation, synthesis and characterization facilities), human resources (shared expertise), and computational resources (access to data analysis software) necessary for the successful completion of the project.

The project will be carried out in close collaboration with the research group of Dr. Eva Tóth at the Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire (CBM, Orléans), as well as with academic and industrial collaborators already involved in the development of alternative MRI contrast agents.

Please note that the institute is located within a Restricted Access Zone (ZRR). Consequently, security clearance by the French Defence and Security Officer (FSD) is required before the contract can begin.
The PhD candidate will be responsible for conducting the proposed research project, collaborating with researchers from other institutes, and actively participating in the scientific life of the laboratory.

The job requirements are:
• Master's degree in Chemistry with a specialization in coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience in multi-step organic synthesis and compound characterization (particularly NMR spectroscopy).
• Experience in the synthesis of coordination complexes and/or physicochemical characterization techniques is desirable.
• Good command of written and spoken English (minimum B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), enabling regular reporting of research progress and presentation of results to collaborators and at scientific conferences.
• Personal qualities: independence, rigor, strong communication and teamwork skills, proactivity, and motivation.
The candidate must have a good command of written and spoken English at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages to be able to report regularly and present his/her results to the collaborators and at conferences.

Applications should include a detailed CV including contact information for referees, a letter of motivation, a summary of the Master's thesis as well as the grades of Master 1 and 2.

Constraints and risks

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Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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

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