[They chose France series #1] Alexandra Tsybizova joins the Paris Institute of Molecular Chemistry

Could you tell us a little about your background and research topics?

I completed my bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemical engineering at Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology in Moscow. During that time, I started having courses in physical organic chemistry and reaction mechanisms. I wanted to delve deeper into this field, but I had no idea where I would go for that. I then heard about a new group at Charles University, in Prague. They were opening a PhD position to learn about reaction mechanisms using mass spectrometry. I got the position and moved to the Czech Republic, where I spent a little over four years, from 2011 to 2015.

After my PhD in Prague, I went on with a postdoctoral fellowship at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, with Pr. Peter Chen. Five years later, I was promoted as a senior scientist, which means that I had my own small group within Pr. Chen’s bigger group. It allowed me to do my own projects as well as supervise undergraduate students.

During this time in Prague and Zurich, I cultivated an expertise in the mechanistic aspects that drive catalytic processes, including the influence of spin states on reactivity. I developed a strong background in techniques like mass spectrometry and T-CID measurements, which are central to my research on bond dissociation energies and reactive species. My work has included studying both synthetic organometallic complexes and well-characterized model systems to better understand and predict reaction pathways and energetics.

I was very happy at ETH Zurich, but my group was about to disband due to Pr. Chen’s retirement. In this context, I started looking for a permanent position.

What motivated your application to the CNRS?

For a long time, I was not well aware of the French system. I knew that science is conducted in a rather flat and collaborative way in French laboratories, which was very appealing to me. However, I had only heard of the assistant professorship positions, which required French language proficiency, and I could not satisfy this criterion immediately. I then met another scientist at a conference, Ugo Jacovella, who told me about CNRS. He had landed a permanent position there after sometime abroad. I learned that CNRS researchers are not required to speak French, and that they are already tenured: unlike in the Anglo-Saxon system, they do not have to wait five years for the position to become permanent.

When I decided to apply to the CNRS, I started looking for laboratories that would fit my research needs. I found out there was an exceptional alignment with the resources available at the Paris Institute of Molecular Chemistry (IPCM – CNRS/Sorbonne Université). This laboratory offers not only state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, but also a highly specialized research group with expertise closely related to my own work in physical organic chemistry and catalysis. In particular, the team at IPCM shares a deep interest in mechanistic studies and reactivity, which are core to my own research agenda.

On a personal note, moving to France is also significant for me. French culture has long inspired me—from literature to art. Growing up in Russia, I was strongly influenced by French classics and even by Russian authors like Tolstoy, who infused their work with French dialogue. While my primary motivation is scientific, this move also fulfills a personal dream, which is a very welcome bonus.

What are your prospects for the coming years?

In my CNRS project, I have outlined a research program that bridges my expertise in physical organic chemistry with a critical question in catalysis: understanding how spin states influence reactivity. This is particularly important as we seek to develop more sustainable catalytic processes, specifically using earth-abundant metals instead of rare or toxic ones. Ultimately, my ambition is to develop a framework that enables us to predict and rationalize reactivity across a range of processes—from synthetic catalysts to natural enzymatic reactions. This would bridge a critical gap between fundamental knowledge and practical application, with implications for both industrial and biological chemistry.

My goal is to fit in this new environment as smoothly as possible. I started learning French about a year ago. I hope to achieve a high enough level soon to be able to teach, as I was doing at ETH Zurich. I also applied for an ANR [French National Research Agency] grant that targets young researchers. I would definitely try to apply to ERC [European Research Council] grants as well, although Starting grants might not be an option anymore due to my PhD defense being too long ago. As I become more independent, I will consider applying for ERC Consolidator or Synergy grants.

With my international background, I hope to maintain my collaborations with groups from Switzerland, as well as with colleagues in Israel and the United States who are doing computational chemistry and mechanistic research as well as providing some experimental data. I am also looking forward to cultivating new collaborations as I develop my activities at IPCM. Exciting years lie ahead!

Editor: CD