Clermont Auvergne MSCA PF Master Class: Hosting Offer on Development of Next-Generation Paracetamol-Derived Analgesics (panel CHE)

The postdoctoral fellow will be hosted at Institute of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand. The team includes about 120 permanent staff and about 100 students and post-doc researchers, organized in six research teams and technical and scientific platforms (https://iccf.uca.fr/services/)..)

Project area: Medicinal chemistry, pharmacology 

Chronic pain affects more than 30% of the global population and remains inadequately treated. Despite its widespread use, paracetamol still holds untapped pharmacological potential. This project aims to explore and expand paracetamol-inspired chemical space to design, synthesize, and biologically evaluate a new generation of safer and more effective analgesics.
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) with our team.

Research Project
The postdoctoral fellow will:
• Design and synthesize innovative paracetamol-derived molecular scaffolds
• Explore structure–activity relationships
• Develop analytical methodologies (including HPTLC) to support pharmacological investigations
• Work at the interface of organic chemistry and pharmacology
The project combines synthetic chemistry, analytical development, and pharmacological evaluation,
offering strong interdisciplinary exposure and high publication potential.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• be in possession of a doctoral degree or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis at the date of the call deadline (9th September 2026)

• have a maximum of 8-year experience in research from the date of award of the doctoral degree at the date of the call deadline

• not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for European Fellowship or in the country hosting the outgoing phase for Global Fellowship for more than 12 months in the 3 years at the date of the call deadline

• be nationals or long-term residents of the EU Member State or Associated Country (for GF only, there is no nationality restriction for EF).

Applicants should:

• Hold a PhD at the interface in organic/medicinal chemistry
• Have solid expertise in organic synthesis
• Be interested in expanding their skills in chromatography techniques
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent, cutting-edge multidisciplinary research
• Show scientific creativity, autonomy, and proactivity
• Be collaborative, with strong communication skills
French is an asset but not mandatory.

Why apply ?
• Work on a societally impactful topic : chronic pain
• Develop independence through the prestigious MSCA-PF framework
• Benefit from structured institutional support for proposal preparation
• Benefit from interdisciplinary supervision and international visibility
• Join a dynamic research environment within UCA

Application to the Master Class

For the second time, a Master Class will be organised in Clermont-Ferrand during the week of the 8th of June 2026. 
Selected candidates will be invited to Clermont-Ferrand to:
• Participate in intensive proposal-writing workshops
• Co-develop the project with the host supervisor
• Receive personalized feedback on Excellence, Impact, and Implementation
• Benefit from institutional expertise in European funding strategy
• Visit the City of Clermont-Ferrand
This immersive preparation significantly enhances the competitiveness of the application.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Sylvie DUCKI (Sylvie.Ducki@uca.fr) before 13th March 2026 with a CV and a brief statement of research interests

Once the candidate and their supervisor have agreed, expressions of interest must be completed and sent to cap-europe@uca.fr before the 13th of March 2026.

More information on CAP Europe website https://www.uca.fr/international/strategie-internationale-de-letablissement/cap-europe