NMR PhD fellowship - 1

We are offering a three-year PhD scholarship in NMR spectroscopy in Lille. The PhD students will be employed by the CNRS and enrolled at the University of Lille.

PhD topic no. 1: 
Improving the resolution of NMR spectra of liquids and solids using machine learning trained on very high-field NMR data

Keywords: NMR of solids and liquids, very high magnetic fields, machine learning

Background: In recent years, the development of NMR magnets producing magnetic fields exceeding 23 T—where the proton Larmor frequency, ν0(1H), exceeds 1 GHz—has enabled the recording of NMR spectra with unrivalled resolution, allowing the distinction of closely spaced chemical environments within molecules or materials. This increase in resolution is particularly useful for determining the atomic-scale structure of biological macromolecules, such as proteins, or of inorganic and hybrid materials containing quadrupolar nuclei with spin I ≥ 1, such as 27Al or 17O. However, a major obstacle to the use of ultra-high-field NMR spectroscopy is the high cost of NMR magnets capable of producing magnetic fields exceeding 23 T. Due to this high cost, the number of ultra-high-field NMR magnets is much lower than that of lower-field magnets.

Approach: The aim of this PhD project is to explore how the gains in resolution achieved using ultra-high-field NMR spectrometers can be transferred to spectra recorded at lower fields through the use of machine learning tools (machine learning and deep learning). This approach requires training machine learning tools on simulated and experimental NMR datasets obtained at different magnetic fields ranging from 9.4 to 28.2 T (i.e. 400 MHz ≤ ν0(1H) ≤ 1.2 GHz). It will be tested on various types of samples, such as proteins or small molecules in solution, as well as inorganic and hybrid materials containing quadrupolar nuclei. This project will benefit from the presence in Lille of NMR spectrometers operating at different fields, notably a 1.2 GHz NMR spectrometer that is unique in France.

Host laboratory and equipment: This project is funded by the University of Lille’s Excellence Initiative as part of the interdisciplinary IMMENSE project. The PhD will be supervised by Olivier Lafon at the University of Lille in the RM2I team. This project will benefit from the use of very high-field NMR spectrometers (800, 900 MHz and 1.2 GHz) at the Institut Chevreul’s advanced characterisation platform.

Profile: We are looking for an engineering student or someone with a Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, materials science or data science. Knowledge of NMR spectroscopy would be an advantage. We are committed to upholding the principle of equal opportunities in recruitment. The IMMENSE project is dedicated to promoting the role of women in science and particularly encourages women to apply.

Contact: Please direct any queries and submit your application (CV, cover letter, Master’s and Bachelor’s degree transcripts) to olivier.lafonuniv-lillefr.

Expected start date: between September and December 2026

Application deadline: 6 April 2026