Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN Early Stage Researcher Position at NOAH, ESR7 (UNISTRA, France) - Stimuli-responsive nanoreceptors

Location: Université de Strasbourg, France

Supervisor: Prof. Valérie Heitz

NOAH Research Programme
NOAH (network of functional molecular containers with controlled switchable abilities) is a European training network that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017). The general scientific aims of the NOAH research program are the development, characterisation and transfer to applications of different types of molecular containers.

NOAH aims to bring in a great variety of scientific attributes to the selected Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs), ranging from the experimental organic and inorganic synthesis to computational chemistry. Photo- and electro-chemistry, MS/gas-phase chemistry, X-ray diffraction and optical spectroscopy techniques will be also included in the scientific formation and development of the recruited ESRs.

The trainees will also receive education in complementary and transferable skills through attendance at local and network-wide dedicated training activities (e.g. dissemination, communication, organization, governance, ethics…). The training program includes the exposure of the ESRs to chemical research carried out in the non-academic sector by means of full recruitment or short stage secondments (6 months) in one of the four chemical European companies acting as industrial partners.

This is one of 10 Early-Stage Researcher (ESRs) positions offered by NOAH. Each ESR will benefit from a 36-month contract and will have the possibility to defend a PhD thesis at the end of their individual projects. Each PhD student will be hosted in a beneficiary institution and will receive additional training by undergoing relevant secondments at the industrial and other academic partners’ facilities.

Objectives of the individual project:
The PhD will be recruited within the NOAH European Training Network (Network of functional molecular containers with controlled switchable abilities, Link) that has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie action (H2020-MSCA-ITN-2017).

This multi-disciplinary project focusses on the encapsulation of molecular guests into multi-component nanoreceptors. In biological systems, chemical messengers of information are required to trigger a biological response. The biological response can be best interpreted in terms of a change of the physico-chemical properties of the system in order to realize a function, such as the modulation of reactivity (ATP synthesis), movement (muscle contraction), and substrate affinity (G-protein in vision). This behavior relies on allosteric regulation, a stimuli-induced process which is at the heart of the development of the new nanoreceptors of
this project.

The scientific project will consist in the synthesis of different multicomponent nanoreceptors able to response to photo or chemical stimuli to control the encapsulation of guest molecules. To this end, the recognition units will allow orthogonal recognition of two different guests in order to have a cooperative effect analogous to an allosteric regulation. In other words, the recognition of a Guest A will allow the recognition of a second Guest B. It is expected that the complexation of the ion will stiffen the receptor thus restricting the number of degrees of freedom. This conformational change will lead to the receptor activation which will help the supramolecular recognition of the 2nd guest (Guest B). A signaling output (charge transfer band or fluorescence quenching) will be detected as the result of the supramolecular events (signaling transduction cascade). Once the allosteric regulation demonstrated of the recognition units, photo- and physico-chemical investigations will be undertaken in order to probe the guests’ release.

The PhD candidate will be involved in the synthesis of the building blocks (involving organic chemistry) followed by their structural characterizations (NMR High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry, X-ray analysis). Binding studies in solution will then be investigated using various techniques (1H NMR titrations, UV-Vis titrations). Additional expertise in photophysics and DFT calculations will be provided through collaborations within the NOAH network.

Planned secondment(s):
Academic Secondment: Three months secondment at Warwick to stablish comparisons on synthesis and characterization of covalent molecular cages and non-covalent ones.

Industrial Secondment: Six-months secondment at Biolitec facilities, where he/she will discuss the potential of switchable cages as switchable catalysts.

Hosting Institution:
The subject will be developed at the Faculty of chemistry at University of Strasbourg an internationally recognized academic and research centre of excellence in France (Shanghai Ranking: 19th in chemistry, ≈260 doctoral students, 650 students/year). More especially, the PhD will conduct his research in the laboratoire LSAMM which is interested in using principles of supramolecular chemistry in order to realize molecular systems able to operate complex and specific functions. Free French courses are available on campus every year

Eligibility requirements
Candidates of any nationality can apply, but in order to be eligible for the position the following criteria need to be fulfilled:
- The applicant shall at the time of recruitment be in the first four years of his/her research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
- The applicant must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment.

Job conditions
- Appointment under full-time employment contract for a period of 36 months
- Competitive remuneration (Living Allowance = €3110/month (correction factor to be applied per country) + mobility allowance = €600/month + family allowance if applicable = €500/month). Monthly salary for the fellow before any deductions.
- Additional funding for participation at courses, workshops, conferences, etc.
- Enrollment in a Doctorate program with the possibility to lead to a PhD dissertation.
- Starting date: ESRs are expected to start from October 2018 (estimated time).

Candidate profile: candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry with excellent academic transcripts. We are looking for highly motivated students with good communication skills.

Questions regarding the recruitment can be sent to: [Email Address Removed].

Questions regarding the project can be sent to: [Email Address Removed] and [Email Address Removed]