Job offer

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Une opportunité de doctorat unique se présente au sein d'un projet à la pointe de la recherche en chimie et biologie, axé sur le développement d'échafaudages bioactifs par impression 3D. Ce poste permet de collaborer entre Montpellier et Heidelberg, offrant une formation interdisciplinaire précieuse. Les candidats doivent posséder un Master en chimie ou dans un domaine connexe, avec des compétences en chimie organique et des réactions photo-déclenchées.

Qualifications

• Autonomie, sens critique et créativité nécessaires.
• Connaissances en biologie et impression 3D sont avantageuses.

Responsabilités

• Synthesize and characterize photoactivatable molecules for 2-photon 3D printing.
• Fabricate micro-structured scaffolds and study cell-material interactions.

Connaissances

Chimie organique

Réactions photo-déclenchées

Réactions bioorthogonales

Bioprinting

Formation

Master en chimie ou discipline connexe

Description du poste

Organisation/Company: CNRS

Department: Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron

Research Field: Chemistry

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 4 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025

EU Funded: No

Research Infrastructure Staff Position: No

Offer Description

The project

This thesis project is located at the interface of click chemistry, photochemistry, materials, 3D printing, and biology. The goal is to develop light-controlled chemoselective chemistry for 3D printing of micro-structured supports with applications in tissue engineering. 3D printing has facilitated progress in this field by enabling the manufacture of complex tissues, but current structures do not yet accurately reproduce the spatial heterogeneity and detailed architecture of human tissues, especially regarding molecular composition and mechanical properties. Hence, new strategies are needed to offer precise spatiotemporal control over these 3D scaffolds' properties.

PHOTOCLICK addresses this by developing bioorthogonal photocrosslinking reactions that enable the fabrication of micro-structured bioactive scaffolds capable of modulating cell-material interactions. The approach involves chemoselective click reactions triggered by light using a 2-photon multi-wavelength system. This includes, for example, selective unmasking or activation of click partners at specific wavelengths. Different wavelengths can photoselectively activate various photosensitive groups in a multi-component bioactive ink (peptides, proteins, biopolymers), allowing precise, micrometric resolution in scaffold composition. This enables the creation of scaffolds with bioactive patterns to guide cell growth and stem cell differentiation. Such control over stem cell behavior could advance organotypic multicellular tissue cultures (organ-on-chip) and provide alternatives to animal models for drug testing.

The teams

The project unites two international, interdisciplinary teams: the Peptides team at IBMM (Montpellier, France), specializing in biomolecule synthesis and polymerization for bioactive hydrogels, and the Selhuber-Unkel Group (Heidelberg, Germany), experienced in nano- and micro-structured biomaterials and reactive materials.

Doctoral training and mobility

The PhD student will work in both labs, benefiting from advanced technological facilities. The position involves alternating between Montpellier and Heidelberg (3-4 months/year). In Montpellier, the student will synthesize and characterize photoactivatable molecules for 2-photon 3D printing. In Heidelberg, they will fabricate micro-structured scaffolds and study cell-material interactions. This interdisciplinary training will cover chemical synthesis, photochemistry, and 3D printing, fostering collaboration between the two institutions.

Required skills include organic chemistry, photo-triggered reactions, biorthogonal reactions, and knowledge of bioprinting and biology is advantageous. Attributes such as autonomy, critical thinking, and creativity are essential.

Specific Requirements

The position is within a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and requires authorization from the MESR authorities for the candidate's arrival.