Development of a predictive toolbox for the rational design of complex amorphous bioactive molecules (DC11)

The Marie-Skłodowska Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA DN): “Improving drug efficacy with next-generation amorphous materials and trained experts”, (IDEAS) funded by the European Community is recruiting 15 young researchers.

The doctoral candidates (DCs) will be trained not only to perform original and independent research on an internationally competitive level, but also in developing creative, critical and entrepreneurial mindsets, to be prepared for a wide spectrum of career opportunities.

The IDEAS Doctoral Network is designed to empower a new generation of young scientists in the field of amorphous pharmaceutical systems, strengthening Europe’s biotech/pharma industry and academic innovation capacity. This effort demands a unified project bringing together the cross-disciplinary expertise of academic research groups in materials science, physics, chemistry, and pharmacy, alongside industry partners. The network comprises a consortium of 7 universities (University of Lille, University of Pisa, University of Silesia in Katowice, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Université Catholique de Louvain, Trinity College Dublin, NOVA University of Lisbon), 2 large companies (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Zentiva) and 1 SME (MyBiotech). Through this programme, the fellows will collaborate to develop eco-friendly manufacturing technologies for amorphous materials, establish science-based control over material properties, and explore a wide range of materials to achieve efficient production of high-quality amorphous formulations. This advanced research-driven training will be further enriched with dedicated training events (e.g., online and in-person workshops, summer schools) and intersectoral and interdisciplinary mobility through secondments. After having completed their studies and the IDEAS programme, this innovative and multidisciplinary training will qualify this new generation of scientists not only for an academic career, but also for working in industry and beyond.

See https://ideas-msca.eu/ for more details.

This offer is for the Doctoral Candidate DC 11 within the IDEAS network

DC 11 at University of Lille (France) – Development of a predictive toolbox for the rational design of complex amorphous bioactive molecules

Supervisory Team: Prof. F. Affouard (University of Lille), Prof. N. T. Correia (University of Lille)

Context: The formulation of complex therapeutic molecules remains a major challenge in pharmaceutical development. Compared with conventional small molecules, proteins and PROTACs (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras) exhibit greater structural complexity, higher conformational flexibility, and increased sensitivity to processing and storage conditions. These features often lead to poor physical stability, limited solubility, very low absorption, moisture sensitivity, and a high risk of degradation or phase transformation. Amorphous formulations are especially attractive because they can improve apparent solubility and bioavailability, but their design still relies heavily on empirical screening. This trial-and-error approach is time- and material-intensive and poorly suited to emerging drug modalities.

Objectives: The main objective of this project is to develop a predictive toolbox for the design of amorphous formulations for complex molecules, using proteins and PROTACs as representative case studies. The specific objectives are to: identify molecular descriptors governing amorphous stability, including conformational flexibility, intermolecular interactions, hydrogen-bonding capacity, and excipient miscibility; establish molecular modelling workflows capable of predicting formulation-relevant properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg), glass-forming tendency, interaction strength, molecular mobility, and phase behaviour; understand the origin of the low absorption and how can it be improved by adding certain excipients and validate model predictions through selected experimental studies.

Expected Results: The project is expected to deliver a validated predictive toolbox integrating numerical modelling and experimental data for accelerated formulation design. It will generate numerical models capable of relevant properties for formulations and establish an experimental-computational workflow that reduces empirical screening while improving efficiency.

Research Methodology: The project will adopt a molecular modelling-driven approach complemented by focused experimental validation. It will combine computational atomistic modelling and machine learning to develop predictive models for Tg, miscibility, and amorphous stability; experimental characterization using thermal, structural, and functional analyses to validate and refine the models; and integration into a hybrid predictive toolbox for real-time formulation screening. Validation will be performed on proteins and PROTACs under industrially relevant conditions.

Planned secondments:

• Prof. S. Capaccioli (University of Pisa, Italy): Experimental validations and tests of the developed numerical methods.
• Dr. N. Günday-Türeli (MyBiotech GmbH, Germany): Exposure of the DC to industry R&D. Release testing using a novel technology developed by the host.

Main expected activities:

• manage and carry out the individual research project;
• participate in the joint IDEAS training and network activities;
• take PhD courses;
• write scientific articles and the PhD thesis;
• participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings;
• research stay at external research laboratories or company sites;
• disseminate the research outcomes;
• participate in the undergraduate teaching of students.

Where to apply

E-mail: coordinator-ideas@univ-lille.fr

Requirements

Research Field: Physics » Chemical physics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics » Condensed matter properties — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics » Computational physics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field: Physics » Applied physics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a MSc in Physics, Materials Science or a related discipline.
• Experience with computational methods and research.
• Good knowledge of at least one computational technique (molecular dynamics simulation, quantum mechanics calculation or machine learning).
• Experience with molecular materials (small organic molecules and/or polymers) is a major advantage.
• Hands-on experience and knowledge of molecular materials experimental physical characterisation (structure, dynamics, thermodynamics) and transformations (quench from the melt, milling…) is a plus.
• Experience with pharmaceutical materials is a plus.
• Appreciation for interdisciplinary work and proactive drive to collaborate across disciplines.

Specific Requirements

• Applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must be sufficiently proficient in written and spoken English (English CEFR at least B2 minimum)
• Applicants must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at the University of Lille (France)

Furthermore, all future doctoral candidates of IDEAS should demonstrate:

• A high willingness to travel.
• Independent problem-solving skills.
• High resilience and flexibility.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Integrity, team spirit, dedication to science and learning, dependability, punctuality, pro-activity.
• Interest to work in an intersectoral, interdisciplinary team and to learn new techniques, methods etc. also outside their comfort zone.
• A high competence level in scientific writing and public speaking as required by the discipline of the project.
• Proficiency with computers, office, web-based learning.
• Willingness to participate in outreach activities, conferences, extracurricular events etc.

Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

This doctoral position is fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network IDEAS (HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01).

The doctoral candidate will be employed by the University of Lille under a full-time, 36-month employment contract, in accordance with French employment regulations.

The monthly gross salary will be €3,380, corresponding to an estimated net salary of approximately €2,670 per month before income tax, excluding additional allowances. The exact net salary will be confirmed when the employment contract is signed.

In addition, the doctoral candidate will benefit from:

• Mobility Allowance: €710 per month, subject to applicable social security contributions.
• Family Allowance: €660 per month, if the doctoral candidate meets the eligibility conditions defined in the MSCA Grant Agreement. Eligible candidates include those who are married, in a legally recognised partnership equivalent to marriage, and/or have dependent children whom they actually support.

These allowances are subject to the applicable French social security and taxation rules. The employment contract will include social security coverage and other benefits provided under French employment regulations.

Eligibility criteria

• Supported researchers must be Doctoral Candidates (DCs), meaning that they must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• Recruited researchers may be of any nationality and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting participant for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
• Secondment Readiness: Candidates must be fully willing and able to relocate internationally for secondments (research stays) at other academic or industrial partner institutions within the network.

Selection process

The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based and aligned with the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network requirements.

To apply, please send an email to coordinator-ideas@univ-lille.fr with all the required documents. Please title the email: “IDEAS application [YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]”.

Required application materials:

• Application form
• Research Expose
• Curriculum vitae
• Academic transcript of records (translated into English if necessary)
• Final degree certificate (translated into English if necessary)
• Valid ID & proof of eligibility
• Proof of English language proficiency (only if available)

Submit all documents in the PDF format with the following naming convention:
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Application form.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 1 – Research Expose.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 2 – CV.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 3 – Academic record.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 4 – ID and mobility.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 5 – English.pdf (if available)

The recruitment process consists of an initial written application (see above). Eligible applications will be ranked by a selection committee based on:

• the quality of the applicant’s CV and academic record,
• the quality of the written exposé,
• the motivation of the applicant to join IDEAS and the selected project(s),
• the fulfilment of the required and desired criteria for the selected project(s)
• the applicant’s technical expertise for the selected project(s),
• the referee sheets and letters of recommendation.

Those not selected will be informed. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews at the selected host institution(s), preferably online, or where possible, in person.

Interviewed candidates will be ranked and invited to join IDEAS in order of their ranking. This process may take a few weeks. We will keep a small number of candidates on a reserve list just in case candidates pull out before the final recruitment stage. Successful candidates will be informed as soon as possible after the interview.

Successful candidates will be subsequently enrolled into the PhD programmes of appropriate universities. This is a separate process that may require additional documentation and qualifications such as language tests. These will be made known to candidates.

Additional comments

Application deadline for DC11: 30 November 2026

Applications submitted after this deadline may still be considered until the position is filled.

Website for additional job details: https://ideas-msca.eu/ — https://umet.univ-lille.fr/MMT/index.php?&lang=en

Work Location(s)

Company/Institute: University of Lille
Country: France
State/Province: Nord
City: Villeneuve d'Ascq
Postal Code: 59655
Street: Cité Scientifique