Artificial Intelligence driven Polymer Chemistry (M/F)

23 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Direction des ressources humaines

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry
Physics » Chemical physics
Physics » Biophysics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

20 Mar 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

23 Feb 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Artificial intelligence (AI) is both a field of research and an accelerator of scientific discovery in many fields provided that it promotes rapprochement with other scientific communities. The CNRS, as a national and multidisciplinary organization, advocates interdisciplinarity which is at the heart of this project. This involves adapting AI tools for the synthesis of polymers, an area in which few national teams have reached a level of expertise. This choice is in accordance with the orientations contained in the 2019-2023 Objectives and Performance Contract of the organization and also covers themes that the DIADEME exploratory PEPR seeks to develop and for which, the contribution of know-how from colleagues with international experience would be very useful.

The four targeted laboratories (in alphabetical order: ICS, IMP, IPCM, LCPO have teams recognized in the field of polymer synthesis and soft matter modeling. For each of them, reinforce the theme covered by this project will contribute to ensuring France's visibility internationally in this area.

The design of new functional polymers relies on successful exploration of the structure-function landscape. In this context, advances in combinatorial polymer chemistry and machine learning offer interesting opportunities for the engineering of new polymer materials meeting pre-established specifications. The example of biology shows that starting from monomers with simple chemistry, it is possible to obtain functional macromolecules with desired properties. Much like proteins, synthetic polymers have countless combinations of monomers that can result in interesting properties. Given the great diversity of possible monomers, the complexity of polymer materials manifests itself in a combinatorial explosion, which makes rational design unthinkable when the number of different monomers exceeds a few units. Inspired by the recent success of DeepMind's AlphaFold2 in predicting protein structure using machine learning methods based on over 170,000 known protein structures, it is possible to imagine that polymer science will experience new growth by combining Artificial Intelligence and data mining methods and the creation of an experimental or digital database.

The research theme of this CNRS chair may be declined in the various universities targeted on the territory according to the place of recruitment. The laureate could in particular contribute to teaching in in synthesis and properties of polymers, modeling, data mining, at the bachelor's or master's level.

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project's socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Chemistry » Physical chemistry

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics » Chemical physics

Years of Research Experience

None

Research Field

Physics » Biophysics

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific. There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability.

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CPJ/CPJ-2024-019/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Direction des ressources humaines

Country

France

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/CPJ-2024-019/Candidater.aspx

STATUS: EXPIRED