Researcher in functionalisation of carbon nanomaterials at the interface between chemistry and [...]

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 33 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading French research organization seeks a postdoctoral researcher to develop innovative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis using carbon nanotubes. This role requires a PhD and expertise in functionalizing nanomaterials. The successful candidate will contribute to a project focused on targeted drug delivery and must have good interpersonal skills. Candidates will work in Strasbourg and are expected to manage their research and collaborate with partner teams.

Prestations

Access to analysis platforms

Administrative restaurant nearby

Public transport access

Qualifications

• Must hold a PhD with experience in functionalization of nanomaterials.
• Experience in cell biology is highly desirable.
• Must manage his own research and coordinate different aspects of the work.

Responsabilités

• Develop macrophage-CNT hybrids and characterize them.
• Conjugate methotrexate (MTX) to CNTs.
• Participate in laboratory meetings and propose new research ideas.

Connaissances

Experience in functionalization of inorganic and/or organic nanomaterials

Experience in cell biology

Good interpersonal skills

Independent and well-organized

Formation

PhD

Outils

Transmission electron microscopy

Dynamic light scattering

Flow cytometry

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Immunologie, Immunopathologie et Chimie Thérapeutique Research Field Pharmacological sciences Engineering Technology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 8 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 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

Among autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most frequent, affecting 0.3-1% of the population worldwide. This disease evolves by outbreaks because of inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joints, resulting in joint destruction and pain. RA is not a curable disease; there is an urgent need to develop new treatments. Macrophages are important in the pathogenesis of RA, as activated macrophages contribute considerably to inflammation and joint destruction by releasing cytokines, chemokines, digestive enzymes, prostaglandins and reactive oxygen species, which exacerbate the damages to the normal tissues. This project proposes to develop an innovative treatment by combining targeted delivery of methotrexate (MTX) treatment by a carrier (carbon nanotubes, CNTs) with the selective elimination of the inflammatory cells present in the arthritic joints, including the activated macrophages, thus resulting in a drastic reduction of inflammation and other symptoms of RA. This treatment is based on near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered photothermal therapy through the generation of localized heat in the inflammatory cells in the arthritic joints via phagocytosis of a photothermal agent (CNTs), leading to the specific death of these cells. The CNTs will be coated with the cell membrane of macrophages to target specifically and accumulate in the inflamed synovium, where they will be internalized into the phagocytic inflammatory cells. A local NIR light irradiation will induce the selective thermal elimination of these cells. The use of CNTs a delivery system will allow a high concentration of MTX in the joints, resulting in less side effects compared to administration of free MTX.
In this context, this postdoctoral project is focused on the preparation of three macrophage-CNT hybrids, their characterization and stability.

The activities of this project will focus on the conjugation of MTX and a fluorophore onto CNTs via a specific linker, followed by the preparation of different types of macrophage-CNTs hybrids (e.g., CNTs coated with macrophage cell membrane). The hybrids will be characterized by various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, Western blot, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry.

This project will be developed in the Laboratory of Immunology, Immunopathology and Therapeutic Chemistry (CNRS UPR 3572, I2CT), which belongs to the CNRS and is located at the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology in Strasbourg (France), in particular in the group Therapeutic multifunctional carbon and 2D nanomaterials (led by Dr. Alberto Bianco) and under the supervision of Dr. Cécilia Ménard-Moyon. The research unit has a unique and internationally recognized expertise in autoimmune diseases and nanomedicine, in particular the development of carbon nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, for biomedical applications and the assessment of their potential toxicity. This project will be developed within the framework of an ANR project and in collaboration with three partner teams in Strasbourg and Paris.
The laboratory is located on the Esplanade university campus, very easily accessible by public transport, with an administrative restaurant nearby and access to several analysis platforms.

The candidate must hold a PhD and have experience in the functionalization of inorganic and/or organic nanomaterials and/or nanoparticles, as well as in related disciplines. Experience in cell biology would be highly desirable.
The candidate must be an independent, well-organized and rigorous person. He / she must have good interpersonal skills. He / she must manage his own research and coordinate the different aspects of the work to meet deadlines. The recruited person must provide ideas for new research projects, carry out scientific bibliography, compile results for publication in peer-reviewed journals and present the results orally. He / she should actively participate in laboratory meetings.
Interested candidates must send their application with a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, and the contacts of three reference persons.