PhD opportunities at IPBS – BEST Doctoral Programme
The IPBS (Institute of Pharmacology and Structural Biology) is seeking motivated PhD candidates as part of the BEST Doctoral Programme of the University of Toulouse.
Located in Toulouse, in the sunny southwestern of France, IPBS is a leading research institute affiliated with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) – the largest public research organization in France – and the University of Toulouse.
IPBS conducts state-of the-art research in cancer biology, immunology, microbiology, structural biology and biophysics. It is a world leader in the discovery, characterization, validation and exploitation of novel pathways and pharmacological targets in the fields of cancer, infection, and inflammation. The institue combines molecular and cellular biology approaches and in vivo experiments.
The BEST Doctoral programme
These PhD opportunities are offered through the BEST Doctoral Programme, led by the University of Toulouse and co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND) and the Toulouse Initiative for Research’s Impact on Society (TIRIS).
Thanks to this programme, 19 doctoral candidates will be recruited this year through an international co-supervision scheme across three major TIRIS thematic pillars (Health & Well-being, Global Changes and Sustainable Transitions).
The entire recruitment process will be managed by the University of Toulouse (UT). For additional information : https://doctorat.univ-toulouse.fr/cofund-best
At IPBS, we are offering 5 PhD opportunities.
List of PhD offers and supervisors
| Thesis project Click on a project to view the full project description. | Supervisor Host Institution | Co-supervisor Co-supervising institution |
| RNA Polymerase II Citrullination as a Regulator of Transcriptional Control in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer | Priyanka Sharma – IPBS, CNRS-UT, France | Dr. Juan Torreño Piña – National Center for Biotechnology, CSIC, Madrid, Spain |
| Understanding and Engineering the Cellular Properties of G-Quadruplex Ligands | Dennis Gomez – IPBS, CNRS, UT, France | Dr. Anne Petitjean – Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada |
| REMEDY-HIV : REprogramming Host MEmbrane dYnamics for Anti-HIV Therapy | Fabrice Dumas – IPBS, CNRS, UT, France | Dr. Luciana Balboa – Instituto de Medicina Experimental (IMEX)-CONICET, Academia Nacional de Medicina, Buenos Aires C1425ASU, Argentina |
| MAP-GET : Mapping of cellular targets following gene electrotransfer in tumors | Muriel Golzio – IPBS, CNRS-UT, France | Dr. Bostjan Markelc – Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Slovenia |
| Mechanics of tumor cell trogocytosis by macrophages | Renaud Poincloux – IPBS, CNRS-UT France | pencer Freeman, University of Toronto, Canada |
Eligibility criteria
- Hold, by 23 November 2026, a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification granting access to doctoral studies in France and not hold a doctoral degree.
- Have not resided in France or carried out your main activity in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding 23 November 2026. Periods of stay as a tourist, refugee, or time spent in national service, are not considered as residency.
- Have a B2 level of English
Application Process
Call for application – 23 November 2026
Applications must be submitted online through the application platform : edd-projets.utoulouse.fr
Please contact us at international@ipbs.fr for any questions regarding IPBS and/or the recruitment process.
Eligibility check – 24 to 30 November 2026
Written evaluation – 4 December to 15 January 2027
Consolidation of pre-selected projects – 19 January to 19 March 2027
Oral evaluation – 29 March to 4 April 2027
Result – April 2027
Starting date: September/October 2027 (Contract duration: 36 months)
For additional information: https://doctorat.univ-toulouse.fr/cofund-best
Contact : best-helpdesk@utoulouse.fr
Why Join IPBS?
We offer :
- A cutting-edge research environment bringing together 18 research groups with access to state-of-the-art facilities in molecular biology, structural biology, imaging, and omics technologies
- A collaborative and international scientific community, committed to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity.
- Affiliation with leading institutions. IPBS is jointly affiliated with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and the University of Toulouse, ensuring strong integration within national and international research networks
- A campus at the University of Toulouse, one of the most important scientific research clusters in France, offering a multidisciplinary education in the fields of science, health, engineering, and technology.
- A supportive career development, including mentoring for fellowship applications, networking, and future job applications
- Collaborative opportunities across multiple research centers in Toulouse and within European networks
Toulouse, a city of innovation and culture
Toulouse offers a dynamic and affordable city with rich culture, and a high quality of life.
Situated between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, close to the Pyrenees’ Mountain, Toulouse has long been a major crossroad in Europe. Attracting 15,000 newcomers every year, Toulouse boasts a particularly rich vibrant cultural and artistic heritage. Capital of Occitanie Region, the leading French region for research and innovation – with over 15,000 academic researchers and 7,500 PhD students, R&D represents 3.5% of its GDP in 2022.