The Laboratoire de Chimie des Polyméres Organiques (LCPO, CNRS, University of Bordeaux) is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to support a project entitled “IsoThermal Calorimetry as a Probe of Interactions between Magnetic Nanoparticles, Plasma Proteins and Cells”. The project is at the interface of Chemistry, Physics and Biology and it is sponsored by the “Agence Nationale de la Recherche” in France.

The proposed research aims to develop self-assembled hybrid nanostructures based on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and biocompatible block copolymers. A new analytical technique called Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) will be used to investigate and quantify the interactions between the hybrid nanostructures and biological entities (living cells, proteins ...). ITC will be complemented by investigation techniques of soft condensed matter, such as scattering and microscopy.

We are looking for an excellent chemist to synthesize a new class of copolymers based on polysaccharides, polypeptides and other biopolymers able to induce the formation of well defined micellar complexes with magnetic particles. These nano-objects will be used as model systems to study the interactions with cells and plasma proteins.

The candidate must also have some skills or interests in physical chemistry of block copolymers in solution. The research will take place at the University Bordeaux in collaboration with two laboratories in Paris (with Jean-François Berret and Olivier Sandre groups).

Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. in polymer chemistry. The position is available for one-and-a-half year at a monthly gross salary of 2500€ Interested candidates should submit curriculum vitae, a brief description of their research interests and contact information of three referees to Sébastien Lecommandoux at .

More informations on our research group are available at http://recherche.enscpb.fr/lcpo/fr/pnata/pnata.html