Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) in the Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Near-Infrared-Emitting Molecules Conjugated to Antibodies

Role: Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) in the Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Near-Infrared-Emitting Molecules Conjugated to Antibodies
Organization: CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research, Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire
Location: Orléans, France
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time
Hours: 35 hours per week (Note: Work schedule section mentions 38.5 hours per week)
Start Date: 1 Aug 2026
Application Deadline: 26 Jun 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Role Overview:
The successful candidate will develop polymeric nanoparticles incorporating near-infrared-emitting lanthanide complexes, which he or she will also be responsible for synthesizing (organic, inorganic, and materials synthesis). These compounds will serve as optical imaging agents specific to breast cancer tumors and metastases. These imaging agents must be capable of absorbing within the biological transparency window and emitting in the near-infrared spectral range, and will be delivered via conjugation with antibodies.

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the team “Luminescent Lanthanides Compounds, Optical Spectroscopy and Bioimaging” at the CNRS Center for Molecular Biophysics in Orléans, France. The selected candidate will work on the project “Polymeric nanoparticles incorporating near-infrared-emitting lanthanide complexes as optical imaging agents specific to breast cancer tumors and metastases” supported by an European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the Region Centre. Validation of these systems will be performed through optical imaging on live cells and in small animals to establish proof of concept.

The Center for Molecular Biophysics (CBM, CNRS UPR 4301) is a laboratory with a strong focus on biomedical imaging that conducts research at the interface between chemistry, biology, and physics to understand the mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and whole-organism levels that lead to various diseases. The group leader, Stéphane Petoud (Inserm Research Director), is the principal investigator (PI) of the CANCERONANONIR project for the CBM. He/she will work closely with team members who possess complementary expertise (a CNRS Research Director specializing in spectroscopy, a biology lecturer, a CNRS Research Engineer specializing in molecular separation, and two PhD students).

Responsibilities:
- Design, synthesis, and bioconjugation of antibodies to near-infrared-emitting lanthanide-based metallacrown complexes;
- Incorporation of metallacrown complexes into polymer nanoparticles;
- Physicochemical characterization of the compounds obtained (nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, dynamic light scattering);
- Spectroscopic characterization: analysis of photophysical properties (measurement of absorption, excitation and emission spectra, determination of quantum yields and luminescence lifetimes);
- Biological characterization: cytotoxicity tests, affinity tests;
- Optical imaging in the near-infrared range;
- Data analysis and formatting;
- Intellectual contribution to the project implementation and development;
- Writing of publications and preparation of presentations for seminars and conferences.

Requirements and Qualifications:
Education:
- PhD or equivalent in Chemistry, Biological sciences, or Pharmacological sciences.

Experience:
- 4 - 10 years of research experience in Chemistry, Biological sciences, or Pharmacological sciences.
- Experience in organic, organometallic and coordination chemistry.
- Knowledge of basic physico-chemical techniques.
- Knowledge of bio-conjugation.
- Experience in optical imaging is a plus.

Skills and Competencies:
- Ability to work as part of a team on a multidisciplinary project.
- Ability to work independently, to acquire new concepts, to learn new techniques, to be critical, rigorous and self-motivated.
- Organizational skills to ensure traceability and reproducibility of experiments carried out.
- Ability to disseminate scientific results; write scientific reports and publications.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Basic level of French.

What They Offer:
- Access to all of the team's facilities (chemistry and biochemistry laboratories, cell culture and analysis laboratories, high-performance liquid chromatography, and custom-designed spectroscopic and microscopic equipment) as well as other shared facilities available at the CBM.
- Work schedule: 38.5 hours per week.
- 44 days of annual leave.
- Access to an on-site staff cafeteria.
- Employer contribution of 75% toward public transportation passes.
- Sustainable mobility allowance.
- Sports activities organized by the local social action committee.
- On-campus recreational center.