Description du sujet de thèse

Thesis topic description:
The tacticity of polymers has a significant impact on material properties, but traditional methods of stereocontrolled ionic polymerization are limited in terms of monomers and require strict conditions. While techniques for controlling molecular weight and dispersity in radical polymerization have been developed, stereocontrol remains difficult due to the planar geometry of the propagating radical. Existing strategies generally require specially designed monomers or additives, and a widely applicable, catalyst-controlled approach remains a central, yet unmet, goal in polymer chemistry.
As part of ANR-NSF funding, which is the result of a collaboration between Dr. Jia Niu, Dr. X. Peter Zhang (Boston College, USA), and Dr. Julien Nicolas (Paris-Saclay University/CNRS, France), we propose in this thesis to: (i) develop stereocontrolled polymerization of acyclic vinyl monomers; (ii) extend it to radical copolymerization by ring opening of cyclic vinyl monomers; and (iii) explore methodologies for polymer self-assembly/formulation and drug delivery.

Required skills:
The candidate must hold a Master's degree in organic or macromolecular chemistry, or an engineering degree, with a solid understanding of colloidal and nanomaterial formulations. He/she must be highly motivated and creative, and have solid practical experience in laboratory research. An excellent level of English (written/spoken) is essential. Interested candidates should provide a detailed CV mentioning their education/experience, practical and theoretical skills, and a complete list of publications (if applicable), a cover letter, and the contact details of at least one academic reference—preferably two or three.

Contexte de travail

The project will be developed within the framework of a ANR-NSF (ANR PRCI) project obtained in 2025

The PhD thesis will be carried out at the Institut Galien Paris-Saclay (Orsay, campus du Moulon, https://www.institut-galien.universite-paris-saclay.fr/), on the new campus of the Université Paris-Saclay, in the new Henri Moissan building, and will benefit from a first-rate academic and research infrastructure, while evolving in a rich and scientifically stimulating environment. The IGPS is a joint research unit (UMR 8612) of the CNRS and the Université Paris-Saclay, developing original and innovative research in the fields of micro- and nanotechnologies applied to drugs and diagnostics in the healthcare sector.

The thesis will be supervised by Dr. Julien NICOLAS (https://julien-nicolas.cnrs.fr/)

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

Working in chemistry laboratories