Post-doctoral position in organic chemistry

The successful candidate will be enrolled in a project focused on the investigation of an innovative and non-invasive approach to induce deep-tissue photodynamic therapy (PDT) with photosensitizer conjugated to nanoscintillators, nanoparticles able to down-convert X-rays into low energy photons that in turn will excite adjacent photosensitizers. As X-rays penetrate deeply into tissues, this approach could activate PDT at depth and potentially within larger tumours than PDT induce by light.

The core task in this project is to develop new and original polymer scaffolds for the surface functionalization of various nanoscintillators (rare earth fluorides, oxides, etc.). The polymer shell will allow to enhance the nanoscintillator stability, bring plasma compatibility and low immunogenicity, but also allow conjugation of the NS with suitable photosensitizers and fluorophores.