Engineer in optical instrumentation for corneal imaging (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The project aims to develop a multimodal optical imager of the human cornea in vivo, combining reflection and transmission contrast to count and characterise the cells of the corneal endothelium before cataract surgery. Transmission interference microscopy, developed in the laboratory and published in Nature Communications (Alhaddad et al., 16:7838, 2025), already provides non-contact cellular imaging of the anterior eye, but its contrast reveals mainly the cell nuclei: it allows cells to be counted without assessing their outlines. Reflection contrast, conversely, reveals the cell borders and gives access to cell size and shape, early biomarkers of endothelial stress. The chosen approach consists in combining the two contrasts within a single device, so that cell count and morphology are obtained in a single acquisition.

The recruited engineer is tasked with building the optical bench of the reflection channel and the software that controls it.

Activity

- Assemble and align the optical bench of the reflection channel.
- Develop the software controlling the components of the device and synchronising the acquisition.
- Validate optical sectioning on an artificial eye model and characterise the performance obtained.
- Document the bench and the code, and report the results at the end of the contract.

Your Profil

Skills

Master's degree (M2) or engineering degree in optics, physics, photonics or instrumentation.
Experimental optics: hands-on experience in aligning and building optical setups is essential.
Programming: practical command of Python or C/C++, management of development environments and version control (Git/GitLab).
Instrumentation: practical experience in the control and synchronisation of devices (Arduino, LabVIEW/National Instruments) and in driving scientific cameras.
Knowledge of image processing is welcome.
Independence, rigour and a good command of scientific English.

Your Work Environment

The position is based at Institut Langevin (UMR7587, CNRS / ESPCI Paris-PSL / Sorbonne Université / Université Paris Cité), an internationally recognised laboratory in wave physics and biomedical imaging, located in central Paris (1 rue Jussieu, 75005).

The engineer will join a team working on cellular imaging of the human eye, at the interface between instrumental optics, data processing and clinical research, with access to a fully equipped optics laboratory, a mechanical workshop, large-format 3D printers and computing resources. The project builds on an established collaboration with the Quinze-Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital, where instruments developed in the laboratory are transferred for clinical research.

Constraints and risks

Use of light sources (LEDs and low-power lasers) in compliance with the optical safety rules in force in the laboratory.

Work on an optical bench requiring precision and adherence to the handling procedures for optical components and electronic devices.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2 572 € 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