Research Engineer in Synthetic Organic and Medicinal Chemistry

Organisation/Company INSERM Department U1068 Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 1 Oct 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38h30 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 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

A research engineer position is available at the Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM).

The CRCM is hosted by the comprehensive cancer center ‘Institut Paoli-Calmettes’(IPC), a European leading cancer hospital set on the Mediterranean shores in Southern France, and by the Faculty of Pharmacy of Aix-Marseille University, one of the biggest universities in France. More than 400 researchers work at CRCM on strongly multi-disciplinary and translational research basis with the clinicians from the hospital.

The main focus of the proposed project is the design, synthesis and optimization of new drug candidates based on validated hits within a Structure-Based Drug Design (SBDD) and ‘hit to lead’ optimization program .

The position is funded by the Canceropole PACA under a Prématuration collaborative project between two CRCM research teams: "Integrative Structural and Chemical Biology" (head Y.Collette/X.Morelli) and "Targeting Signalling Networks & Micro-environnement in Cancer" (head JP.Borg/F.Maina).

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The candidate must hold aPhD degree inMedicinal Chemistry or inOrganic Synthesis . He/She will focus the research on a Structure-Based Drug Design program with a specific emphasis on synthesis of the designed structures by the chemistry-driven design principles ofChemoDOTS . He/she will be in charge of the management of the chemistry part of the project , from the design and optimization of synthetic routes, preparation of cost estimates and planning to the synthesis, purification and quality control of target compounds.

Specific Requirements

He/she will perform synthetic chemical experiments, purification and full characterization (NMR, LC/MS…) to obtain new drug candidates based on several validated hits in aStructure-Based ‘hit to lead’ optimization program .He/she will be involved in a close relationship with other medicinal chemists, chemo-informaticians, structural biologists and clinicians involved in the project. Prior experience in Structure-Based Drug Design projects and familiarity with Chemoinformatics and Molecular Modeling approaches would be highly appreciated.He/She will assure the maintenance and management of scientific equipment and instrumentation. Previous experience in industrial R&D is not a requirement but would be an advantage.

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Chemistry » Organic chemistry Years of Research Experience More than 10

Additional Information

Salary according to experience (up to €85,100 per year, including employer contributions). The contract duration will depend on the salary level (6 to 9 months).

Eligibility criteria

• PhD in Organic Chemistry
• Strong expertise in organic synthesis, with demonstrated experience in heterocyclic chemistry andmulti-step synthesis
• Strong expertise in purification and structural characterization of organic compounds
• Experience inmedicinal chemistry and Structure-Based Drug Design projects
• Experience in chemistry driven molecular design approaches
• Demonstrated experience in research project management, including planning, cost estimation, prioritization, and coordination
• Experience in supervising students
• Experience in maintenance and management of scientific equipment and instrumentation
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Experience contributing to scientific publications and patent applications

Additional comments

The Cancer Research Center of Marseille (CRCM) is hosted by the comprehensive cancer center ‘Institut Paoli-Calmettes’(IPC), a European leading cancer hospital set on the Mediterranean shores in Southern France, and by the Faculty of Pharmacy of Aix-Marseille University, one of the biggest universities in France. More than 400 researchers work at CRCM on strongly multi-disciplinary and translational research basis with the clinicians from the hospital. Chemistry laboratories are located at the Timone Campus (Faculty of Pharmacy of Aix-Marseille University) and Biology laboratoires at the IPC campus (cancer hospital ‘Institut Paoli-Calmettes’).

Mandatory group health insurance , with the employer contributing 50% of the cost of the basic coverage and 50% of the cost of optional coverage, up to a maximum contribution of €5. Optional group disability and death insurance , with the employer contributing €7 towards the cost of the basic coverage.