Benoit Couturaud

HEAL-4WARD is recruiting a PhD candidate for an MSCA Doctoral Network project at CNRS-ICMPE (Institut de Chimie et des Matériaux Paris-Est), France. This specific opening is DC6: Antibacterial particles and innovative materials with polypeptoids using Ugi multicomponent reaction . The project is centered on antibacterial polymers , polypeptoids , biomaterials , nanoparticles , biofilm control, and antimicrobial resistance . The research will develop innovative antimicrobial materials based on polypeptoids, using Ugi multicomponent reactions and polymerisation-induced self-assembly (PISA) to create functional nanoparticles and biohybrid materials. The work aims to improve interactions with biofilm matrices and support next-generation wound-infection solutions. The project is embedded in a highly international environment with planned secondments in Ireland and Spain . Eligibility highlights: applicants must hold a Master’s degree in chemistry, polymer chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field; they must be eligible for PhD enrolment and must not already have a doctorate. A background in polymer chemistry or organic synthesis is expected, with beneficial experience in nanoparticle synthesis, self-assembly, and characterization methods such as DLS, TEM, SEC, and spectroscopy. Strong English proficiency is required, and an English test may be requested unless exempted. The MSCA mobility rule applies. Funding: this is a fully funded 36-month PhD under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network. The CNRS offer lists a gross monthly salary of 2300 EUR , plus international training, workshops, conferences, and research visits. Application deadline: 2026-05-18 . Interested candidates should use the application links provided in the post/CNRS page and review the full project description before applying.

PhD opportunity in Polymer Chemistry and Nanomedicine at CNRS-ICMPE in collaboration with CEA-NIMBE , located in the Paris Region, France . The project leads to a PhD degree awarded by University of Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) and is funded by the PEPR DIADEM programme. The research topic is the design of multifunctional stimuli-responsive polymeric nanocarriers for precision medicine, with a focus on Polymerisation-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) . The project includes targeted drug delivery, stimuli-responsive release (pH, temperature, ROS), drug encapsulation during self-assembly, and theranostic imaging using fluorescent probes. Students will work with advanced methods and tools including polymer synthesis, nanomedicine, operando SAXS and Raman spectroscopy on the FastNano Liquid platform, SEC, NMR, HPLC, and broader physicochemical characterization. The project also integrates machine learning and Bayesian optimisation for accelerated formulation discovery. Eligibility highlights: MSc in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; strong interest in polymer synthesis and nanomaterials; excellent academic record; good English communication skills. Experience with polymerisation, self-assembly, nanoparticle characterization, or biomaterials is considered an advantage. Application is open now. Apply via the CNRS recruitment portal and contact Benoit Couturaud for questions.