Missions

A postdoctoral position is available at the Institut Fresnel (Aix-Marseille University) to study the biophysical mechanisms underlying intestinal crypt morphogenesis.
The successful candidate will investigate the mechanical interactions between the intestinal epithelium and the extracellular matrix (ECM) during crypt fission, combining advanced experimental approaches in quantitative microscopy, tissue mechanics, and physical modeling.
The goal of the project is to understand how cell-generated forces and the viscoelastic properties of the ECM cooperate to shape and divide intestinal crypts.
The postdoctoral fellow will benefit from an exceptional interdisciplinary environment bringing together biologists and physicists within a consortium including the Institut Fresnel (Loïc Le Goff) and the Institut de Biologie du Développement de Marseille (IBDM) (Delphine Delacour) also collaborating with U of Geneva (Guillaume Salbreux) for modeling. They will have access to state-of-the-art imaging and optical manipulation technologies, including 3D super-resolution microscopy, adaptive low-dose imaging, optical tweezers, and targeted laser ablation.

Activités

- Design and carry out biophysical experiments on intestinal organoids to characterize the mechanics of crypt fission.
- Participate in the design of microscopy-compatible culture systems suitable for long-term imaging and mechanical manipulation.
- Use and develop fluorescence and label-free microscopy approaches (two-photon, SHG, SRS) to monitor tissue morphogenesis in real time.
- Implement local mechanical measurements (optical tweezers, microrheology, laser ablation).
- Collaborate closely with biology teams to link mechanical observations with cellular behaviors.
Perform quantitative image analysis (3D segmentation, deformation field mapping, tension analysis).
- Contribute to scientific dissemination: writing manuscripts, presenting at conferences, and occasionally mentoring students.

Compétences

- PhD in biophysics, soft matter physics, bioengineering, or a related field.
- Strong background in fluorescence microscopy and image analysis (FIJI, Matlab, Python).
- Preferably, experience in mechanobiology, experimental optics, or microrheology.
- Genuine interest in tissue morphogenesis and interdisciplinary research.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively with biologists and physicists.
- Good written and spoken English.

Contexte de travail

The position is hosted at the Institut Fresnel (UMR 7249 CNRS / Aix-Marseille Université / École Centrale Marseille), within the MOSAIC team (Loïc Le Goff).
The postdoctoral researcher will work in close collaboration with Delphine Delacour's group at the IBDM, benefiting from a rich environment at the interface of optics, physics, and developmental biology.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to an ambitious program on the mechanics of epithelial morphogenesis, using cutting-edge experimental and theoretical tools.

Recent publications by the Le Goff Team
-Mangeat, Mazzella, …, LeGoff*, Sentenac* (2025). Super-resolved live imaging of thick biological samples with 3D RandomIlluminationMicroscopy (3D-RIM). BioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/2025.08.06.668879
-Debadarshini, LeGoff*, Mavrakis* (2025). Septins in animal tissue architecture: more than just peanuts. Current Opinion in Cell Biology. 10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102525
-Martins, Iv, Suman, Panagiotou, Sidor, Ruso-Lopez, Plancke, Omi, Gomes, Llewellyn, Bandi, Laurie Ramond, Arbizzani, Rimoli, Schnorrer, Robin, Wilde, LeGoff, Pedelacq, Cabantous, Rincon, Chandre, Brasselet, Mavrakis (2025) Genetically encoded reporters of actin filament organization in living cells and tissues. Cell. 10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.003
-Mazzella, Mangeat, Giroussens, Rogez, Li, Creff, Saadaoui, Martins, Labouesse, Idier, Galland, Allain, Sentenac, LeGoff (2024). Extended-depth of field random illumination microscopy, EDF-RIM, provides super-resolved projective imaging. DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.30.564754. Sous presse à Light, science and applications
-Rigato, Meng, Chardes, Runion, Abouakil, Smith, LeGoff (2024). A mechanical transition from tension to buckling underlies the jigsaw puzzle shape morphogenesis of histoblasts in the Drosophila epidermis. PLos Biol, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002662

Recent publications by the Delacour Team
-Barai, Soleilhac, Xi, Lin, Karnat, Bazellières, Richelme, Lecouffe, Chardès, Berrebi, Rümmele, Thery, Rupprecht, Delacour (2025) Multicellular actin star network underpins epithelial organization and connectivity. Nature Comm.. 10.1038/s41467-025-61438-1
-Barai, A. & Delacour, D. (2025). High-Resolution Imaging of Spindle Orientation Dynamics in 3D Intestinal Organoids. Methods Mol Biol 2872, 257-267 doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-4224-5_18
-Saleh, et al. …, Delacour. (2023) Length limitation of astral microtubules orients cell divisions in murine intestinal crypts. Dev Cell 58, 1519-1533 e1516. doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2023.06.004

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

The position is initially offered for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to 36 months in total.