CDD Doctorant en chimie médicinale (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Antibiotic resistance is a growing phenomenon and will represent a major health challenge in the coming decades. Developing new strategies to combat infections is therefore an urgent necessity, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). The low permeability of their envelope serves as the first line of defense against antibiotics. However, nutrient uptake systems create breaches in this barrier for those who know how to exploit them. Iron assimilation pathways—critical for bacterial proliferation—are especially promising targets. Most bacteria secrete siderophores, iron(III)-chelating metabolites, to scavenge this metal from the extracellular environment. The ferric siderophore is then recognized and transported into the bacterium via a specific transmembrane mechanism involving multiple proteins. Conjugating an antibiotic to a siderophore hijacks these nutrient uptake pathways, enabling more efficient antibiotic delivery into bacteria through the "Trojan Horse" strategy. As part of this project, we aim to vectorize antibacterial gold(I) complexes, which struggle to penetrate GNB, using siderophores. The recruited individual (M/F) will be responsible for preparing (synthesis and hemisynthesis), purifying, and characterizing siderophore vectors under the supervision of Dr. Gaëtan Mislin (HDR, University of Strasbourg, CNRS Research Director). The gold(I) complexes will be prepared by our collaborator in Lyon, and the conjugation between the two chemical entities will be the focus of close collaboration between the two teams. The siderophore-gold(I) conjugates will then be tested at the National Reference Center (CNR) for Antibiotic Resistance (Besançon). Organic synthesis will constitute the core activity of the selected candidate. The chosen individual (M/F) will also handle the purification and spectroscopic characterization (NMR, MS) of the obtained compounds. However, there will be opportunities to contribute to the evaluation of the biological properties of the compounds. Research also involves communication: the recruited individual's (M/F) participation in a conference is budgeted for. Writing articles, particularly experimental sections, will also be part of their responsibilities. Finally, the recruited individual (M/F) will contribute to the laboratory's technical operations alongside other staff, including ordering supplies, maintaining equipment, and managing reaction waste and stock.
Required Skills :
- Master's degree (M2) in Chemistry or Chemistry/Biology
- Practical and theoretical knowledge of organic synthesis
- Experience in organometallic chemistry/purification would be an asset
- Proficiency in spectral analysis techniques (NMR, MS, etc.)
- Mastery of chemistry-related IT tools (electronic lab notebooks, drawing software, etc.)
- At least theoretical knowledge of biology/microbiology/biochemistry
- Ability to integrate, work, and evolve in a multidisciplinary environment at the chemistry-biology interface
- English (reading, writing, speaking; minimum B2 level)

Your Work Environment

The "Metals and Microorganisms: Biology, Chemistry, and Applications" (MMBCA) team, part of the UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cellular Signaling unit, is based at the École Supérieure de Biotechnologie de Strasbourg (ESBS), located at the Illkirch Innovation Park (10 km from Strasbourg city center). The team consists of chemists and biologists (20 members, including 9 permanent staff) who develop research themes at the interface of biology and chemistry, with a particular focus on iron homeostasis in pathogenic bacteria. In this context, the research axis dedicated to targeting metallo-antibiotics using bacterial metabolites is currently expanding rapidly. The team has two chemistry laboratories. Each researcher has access to their own fume hood, rotary evaporator, and membrane pump. Both laboratories are equipped with automated purification systems (Chromatoflash). Shared equipment includes an HPLC, a cryostat (-40°C), a lyophilizer, and a microwave reactor. The analytical service (NMR, MS) is located in a nearby building (300 m away).
The selected candidate (M/F) will benefit from:
- Laboratory access via tram (stop 500 m away)
- Public transport: 75% cost coverage and a mobility allowance of up to €300, depending on conditions
- CROUS collective restaurant on campus
- Social benefits: health insurance contributions, Social Action and Mutual Aid Committee (sports, leisure, ticketing, etc.)

Constraints and risks

Short trips may be required to our collaborators in Lyon (organometallic chemistry) and Besançon (clinical microbiology). Travel will also be necessary for regular meetings related to the scientific management of the consortium.

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

The research professions