Postdoctoral Research Associate (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

Tunable Plasmonic Colloidal Liquid Crystals.
The project aims to advance the development of dynamic plasmonic chiral liquid crystals, with a particular focus on their formation, phase behavior, dynamics, and collective optical properties. Specifically, we will investigate how nanoparticle geometry (including shape, aspect ratio, chirality, and chemical environment) influences liquid-crystalline ordering and self-assembly. These systems offer potential for reconfigurable optical materials, with potential applications in tunable linear dichroism and other dynamically controlled optical responses, as their optical properties can be modulated through external stimuli, such as electric or magnetic fields, light, and temperature.
The project bridges soft matter physico-chemistry with the design of materials exhibiting novel physical and optical properties. We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on the phase behavior, self-assembly and dynamics of these anisotropic plasmonic systems, using single particle tracking and differential dynamic microscopy, to gain a deeper understanding of these reconfigurable liquid crystalline metamaterials.

Activity

- Study the dynamics of plasmonic liquid crystals using single-particle tracking and differential dynamic microscopy, with quantitative image analysis.
- Prepare samples and characterize their phase behavior using various techniques including small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and video microscopy (fluorescence, dark-field microscopy, etc.).
- Collaborate closely with the experimental and theoretical teams.
- Present results at international conferences and publish findings in high-impact scientific journals.

Your Profil

Skills

- PhD in soft condensed matter, physical-chemistry, applied physics or related disciplines.
- Beneficial if candidate has some background in colloidal liquid crystals, optics or nanophotonics. Experience with MATLAB or equivalent programming languages will also be highly valuable.
- Excellent English communication skills, strong motivation for scientific research, and an interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment.

Your Work Environment

The postdoctoral position will be hosted at the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (Bordeaux, France) a multidisciplinary research laboratory belonging to CNRS and the University of Bordeaux.
It is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). The gross monthly salary will be over €3,000 for 24 months (12 +12).
Start Date: January 1, 2027 (or upon contract signature).
Application Deadline: Open until filled
This project is conducted in close collaboration with the Laboratoire de Phydique des Solides (LPS) in Orsay, involving both its experimental and theoretical research groups.

Constraints and risks

None.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

3041 € gross salary per month

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions