Assistant Engineer in Antimicrobial Peptide Engineering and Synthesis

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading French research organization is seeking an Assistant Engineer for a collaborative project focused on the synthesis and characterization of antimicrobial peptides. The role involves designing and characterizing peptides with enhanced biological activity while using techniques such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Candidates should hold a bachelor's or master's degree and have expertise in organic synthesis. This is a full-time, temporary position based in Grenoble, starting in March 2026.

Qualifications

• Expertise in organic synthesis, preferably in biomolecule synthesis.
• Basic understanding of characterization techniques such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Knowledge of microbiology is highly appreciated.

Responsabilités

• Design, synthesize, and characterize new peptide derivatives.
• Analyze peptides using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.
• Evaluate peptides for their ability to inhibit bacterial growth.

Connaissances

Organic synthesis

Characterization techniques

Liquid chromatography

Mass spectrometry

Microbiology

Formation

Bachelor's or master's degree

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Institut de Chimie du CNRS Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Master Positions Country France Application Deadline 6 Jan 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

As part of a collaborative project between two academic laboratories associated with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and both based in Grenoble, we are recruiting an assistant engineer for the:

• engineering, solid-phase and solution synthesis, and characterization of peptides and peptide derivatives (work carried out at the Department of Molecular Chemistry (DCM) in Grenoble) https://dcm.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/research
• characterization the activities of these antimicrobial peptides for antibiotic and diagnostic applications (work carried out at the Laboratory of Molecular Systems and Nanomaterials for Energy and Health (SyMMES), in Grenoble) https://www.symmes.fr/en

The candidate will be recruited by the CNRS as an Assistant Engineer on a fixed-term contract for a period of 18 months.

Objectives:

Antimicrobial peptides are a promising alternative to antibiotics due to their broad spectrum of action and relative ease of synthesis, even though they are generally less stable in vivo than the organic compounds used as antibiotics. In recent joint work carried out at DCM and SyMMES (the two partner laboratories in this project), new antimicrobial peptide sequences with remarkable antimicrobial activity against various species of bacterial pathogens were discovered, particularly in comparison with currently available antimicrobial therapies. Based on these results, the candidate will aim to design, synthesize (in solution or solid phase), and characterize new peptide derivatives with enhanced biological activity, increased specificity, and improved bioavailability and stability in vivo.

The peptides will be prepared manually and using an automated synthesizer via the solid-phase peptide synthesis method (SPPS). They will be analyzed and purified by liquid chromatography and characterized by mass spectrometry. Additional characterization techniques may also be used, such as proton and carbon‑13 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or circular dichroism.

The peptides will then be evaluated for their ability to inhibit the bacterial growth of strains of pathogens identified as priorities in the fight against antibiotic resistance, but also for their potential in terms of early detection of bacteria (SyMMES) by optical means (Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging).

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The candidate will have expertise in organic synthesis, preferably in biomolecule synthesis. He/she will have a basic understanding of characterization techniques such as liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Knowledge of microbiology would be highly appreciated.

Specific Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's or master's degree from France or abroad.

He/she should show an interest in bioorganic chemistry at the interface with project partners (CHU Grenoble Alpes, DCM and SyMMES). The candidate must demonstrate autonomy and initiative, have strong analytical skills, and be able to report regularly on his/her results to his/her direct supervisors as well as to project partners.