A PhD position is available in the field of photopharmacology, focusing on the intersection of medicinal chemistry and cell biology. The project is a collaboration between the groups of Ralf Jockers at Institut Cochin, Université Paris Cité (France), and Amadeu Llebaria at the Medicinal Chemistry and Synthesis group (MCS), Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona (Spain). The research will involve the design and synthesis of photoactivatable melatonin ligands, photochemical characterization, and cellular studies on mitochondrial MT1 receptors, integrating organic synthesis, computational design, and cellular assays.

The successful candidate will conduct chemistry research in Barcelona (Llebaria Lab) and biology research in Paris (Jockers Lab), with the opportunity to obtain a double diploma from both institutions. The project is ideal for candidates with a strong background in synthetic or medicinal chemistry and an interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, biology, and pharmacology. Key research areas include photopharmacology, GPCRs, mitochondria, organic synthesis, computational design, and cellular assays.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in chemistry or a related field, strong experience in synthetic or medicinal chemistry, and a good command of English. The position is set to start in October 2026, and the application deadline is February 27, 2026. To apply, candidates should send their CV, motivation letter, and references to [email protected]. For more information, candidates may refer to the LinkedIn announcement or contact the supervisors directly.

This opportunity offers a unique international research experience in two leading European cities, working on cutting-edge topics in photopharmacology and medicinal chemistry, with potential applications in drug design and cellular biology.