Postdoc in Chemical Biology, Physical Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, and Bio-inspired Catalysis at Sorbonne Université Sorbonne Université in France

Postdoctoral position at Sorbonne Université in Paris, France, focused on the interface of chemical biology, physical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and bio-inspired catalysis.

The project, titled Reprogramming Biological Cofactors for New Chemical Reactivity, investigates the reactivity of flavins as carbon-transfer agents. The successful candidate will work across two complementary teams: the Institut Parisien de Chimie Moléculaire (with Héloïse Dossmann and Alexandra Tsybizova) and the Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (with Nadia Dozova and Djemel Hamdane).

Research activities include the design and synthesis of N5-functionalized lumiflavin derivatives, exploration of carbon-transfer reactivity toward nucleophiles, mechanistic studies of alkyl transfer and radical pathways, gas-phase experiments using MS/IR and MS/MS CID, and integration of experimental data with DFT calculations.

The position is for 18 months and is based on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus in Paris. The start date is flexible, but the post indicates a start before December 2026 and as soon as possible.

Eligibility highlights: a PhD in physical organic chemistry or a related field (e.g., biophysical chemistry), experience in bioorganic synthesis and mechanistic studies, familiarity with UV-Vis, NMR, and MS techniques, and experience with anaerobic/glovebox biochemistry methods. Background in flavin chemistry, gas-phase chemistry, and DFT is considered an asset.

To apply, candidates should email a CV, motivation letter, and contact details for two referees to the listed supervisors.