New photo-CIDNP hyperpolarization NMR methods to study small molecules and biomolecules – a PhD thesis position (CIFRE) is available at Université Paris-Saclay, within the GS Santé et médicaments doctoral school. The project aims to develop and apply original hyperpolarization approaches based on the photo-CIDNP technique to overcome the sensitivity limitations of NMR spectroscopy.

Overview

NMR spectroscopy is a powerful analytical method for characterising molecules of synthetic or biological origin, providing structural, dynamic, and interaction information, as well as absolute or relative concentrations of components in a mixture. Despite its major role in academic research and industry (health, agri-food, energy, etc.), the technique suffers from a fundamental limitation in sensitivity, which restricts its ability to study compounds at low concentrations. The goal of this thesis is to exploit and improve an original hyperpolarisation approach based on the photo-CIDNP technique, which can increase sensitivity by several orders of magnitude but remains underdeveloped and limited to a few atomic sites. The work will extend polarisation to adjacent sites and apply the methods to a variety of molecules with different properties, including natural products, therapeutic peptides, proteins, and antibodies. The new methods are expected to open up analytical possibilities for NMR at the interface of chemistry and biology.

Research Activities

• Method development: Improve the photo-CIDNP hyperpolarisation technique to extend polarisation to adjacent atomic sites.
• Application to diverse molecules: Apply the developed methods to natural products, therapeutic peptides, proteins, and antibodies.
• Analytical innovation: Enable new NMR-based analytical possibilities for structural characterisation of small molecules and biomacromolecules.

Funding and Benefits

• Funding type: CIFRE (Conventions Industrielles de Formation par la Recherche).
• Financing body: ANRT (Agence Nationale de la Recherche Technologie).

Eligibility

• Candidate profile: Engineer or holder of a master's degree in physical chemistry or analytical chemistry with a strong focus on spectroscopy.
• Required interests: (1) Structural characterisation of small molecules and biomacromolecules; (2) Development of new methodologies.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted via the ABG (Association Bernard Gregory) recruitment portal. Candidates are required to create an account or log in to the platform to submit their application. The application should include the requested personal information and supporting documents as specified in the online form.

Deadline and Timeline

• Application deadline: 01 October 2026
• Start date: 01 January 2027

Contact Information

• Host institution: Université Paris-Saclay, GS Santé et médicaments
• Doctoral school: 569 – Innovation thérapeutique : du fondamental à l'appliqué
• Work location: Gif-sur-Yvette, Ile-de-France, France
• Reference numbers: ABG-139787 / ADUM-70066
• Laboratory website: https://icsn.cnrs.fr/recherche/cbsa