21 Jan 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Université de Caen Normandie- Research Field
Chemistry- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Positions
Postdoc Positions- Application Deadline
22 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)- Country
France- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Offer Starting Date
1 Apr 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Activity: Organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry
Supervisor: Charline KIEFFER – charline.kieffer@unicaen.fr
Location: Centre d’Etudes et de Recherches sur le Médicament de Normandie (CERMN), Caen, France
Type of position: 12-month fixed-term contract.
Project description:
The XIAP protein plays an essential role in inflammatory processes. Its overexpression is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease. XIAP thus plays a key role in modulating the NOD2 inflammatory pathway via an interaction with the RIPK2 protein. (Fulda, Clin Cancer Res, 2015) The design of molecules that disrupt the XIAP/RIPK2 interaction could lead to the development of original and more selective anti-inflammatory compounds. In this context, the NADABIR project (ANR funding, 2024-2028) aims to design, synthesize and evaluate molecules with affinity for the BIR2 domain of XIAP, which disrupts the interaction between XIAP and RIPK2. Assisted by chemoinformatics, the de novo design of a fragment library, followed by the optimisation of the best fragments using fragment growing, enabled us to obtain a hit and perform a proof of concept. (Schwalen et al, ChemMedChem, 2025) The next step is to continue pharmacomodulation work to improve the activity of the compounds.
Job description:
The recruited candidate will be responsible for pharmacomodulation of the hit molecule. The work will be based on available chemoinformatics data. Particular attention will be paid to the development of modern synthesis routes (metal-catalysed reactions, hydrogenations, etc.) for obtaining the compounds.
The candidate will participate in the common tasks inherent to laboratory life and will be involved in ordering procedures (solvents, laboratory reagents, chemical reagents) and equipment management and maintenance (NMR maintenance, shared equipment).
Where to apply
charline.kieffer@unicaen.fr
Requirements
- Research Field
- Chemistry
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The candidate must hold a PhD in organic chemistry or medicinal chemistry. Experience at the interface between both molecular modelling and biology would be highly appreciated. This position may be suitable for a first postdoctoral experience. Initiative, particularly in proposing molecules to be synthesised and synthesis pathways to be developed, as well as the ability to communicate with the various project partners (chemo-informaticians and biologists) are a bonus.
Additional Information
Selection process
Applications should be sent to Charline KIEFFER (CV + cover letter) at the following address: charline.kieffer@unicaen.fr
Additional comments
CERMN lab
The Normandy Centre for Drug Research and Studies (CERMN) is a research unit at the University of Caen Normandy that develops research programmes in the field of drug design. The unit's current areas of research are oncology, neuroscience and infectious diseases, with a scientific focus on polypharmacology, protein-protein interactions, peptide-membrane interactions and chemical tools for diagnosis and imaging.
http://cermn.unicaen.fr/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Université de Caen Normandie - CERMN research centre
- Country
- France
- City
- Caen
- Postal Code
- 14032
- Street
- Boulevard Henri Becquerel
- Geofield
Contact
- City
Caen- Website
http://www.unicaen.fr- Street
Esplanade de la Paix 14032 CAEN CEDEX- Postal Code
CS 14032
charline.kieffer@unicaen.fr
STATUS: EXPIRED
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