PhD fellowship in molecular modeling and machine learning
Organisation/Company Université côte d'azur Department ICN Research Field Chemistry » Computational chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Leading Researcher (R4) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 24 Mar 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Monaco) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 23 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Do you have experience in machine learning and molecular simulation ?
We're looking for our future PhD student !
Join us at Université Côte d'Azur, recognized since 2016 for its scientific and educational excellence, to create a responsible and innovative university to serve as a model for the 21st century.
Within ICN, the ChemSenSim group ( ) develops interdisciplinary research projects on the molecular basis of chemical senses (smell and taste). Understanding the chemical ecology of an animal requires in-depth knowledge of the odors it perceives and their effects. Using computational approaches, this project aims to decode the function of insect odorant receptors. By doing so, we can identify new semiochemical compounds that manipulate insect behavior and develop more effective biocontrol methods
This PhD project aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying pheromone detection by odorant receptors, which belong to the ion channel family, and identify new active compounds using molecular simulations. Two complementary strategies will be employed: structure-based virtual screening (docking simulations + molecular dynamics) and ligand-based virtual screening (machine learning models). We have recently demonstrated the feasibility of identifying new bioactive molecules via ML techniques (1,2) and structure-based approaches (3) and that MD simulations can capture receptor dynamics relevant to binding event (4). Predicted ligands will be evaluated experimentally by research partners (iEES Versailles, IBS Grenoble).
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Where to apply
Requirements
Research Field Chemistry » Computational chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- you possess a master degree in computational chemistry, bioinformatics, or a related field
- you have mastered molecular modeling techniques, machine learning algorithms, and programming languages like Python
- you are highly collaborative, with excellent communication skills and a passion for interdisciplinary research
- you like tackling complex problems, working at the interface of biology, chemistry, and computer science, and publishing your results in top-tier journals