Postdoc - optical instrumentation M/F

Job Description

Missions

The main objectives of the postdoctoral fellow's work are 1) upgrading the existing transmission Mueller matrix (MM) microscope operating at visible and UV-A wavelengths in elastic scattering (ES) mode to dual geometry (transmission + reflection) and autofluorescence (AF) measurement mode (excitation / emission ranges [315-400]/[400-700] nm). ; 2) MM measurements (both ES and AF modes in reflection / transmission geometry) of the thin sections of skin biopsies annotated by medical partner; 3) polarimetric data post-processing for the generation of diagnostic maps of depolarization, diattenuation, retardance and orientation of the optical axis by applying MM decomposition algorithms.

Activity

The work of the post-doctoral fellow will include:
- design and construction of the reflection arm of transmission Mueller microscope;
- calibration of the instrument in ES(AF) reflection modes;
- modification of the MATLAB interface of the transmission MM microscope to perform the measurements in ES(AF) reflection modes;
- validation of the instrument by collecting data on simple test system, and processing the acquired polarimetric images;
- MM measurements of thin sections of skin biopsies, generation of polarimetric maps;
- creation of the database of experimental MM images of skin thin sections and corresponding polarimetric maps.

Your Profil

Skills

- The candidate should hold a PhD in optical imaging, scientific instrumentation / applied physics / biomedical imaging, or a closely related fields.
- The candidate should demonstrate strong expertise in advanced instrumental development, including the design, characterization and integration of complex optical systems, signal and image processing, the experience in Mueller polarimetry will be a plus;
- Proficiency in numerical modeling, combined with solid programming skills (Python, Matlab, CUDA or equivalent), is expected. The demonstrated ability to tackle multiscale problems and to contribute to the development of innovative imaging prototypes is highly desirable.
- Familiarity with optical metrology, with calibration of acquisition chains, and with the design of high-precision experimental setups will be particularly valued. Experience in the validation or automation of instruments dedicated to the study of complex media will also be appreciated.
- The successful candidate will join a demanding interdisciplinary scientific environment and contribute to ambitious research objectives, requiring autonomy, rigor, creativity, and ability to produce high-quality scientific results.

Your Work Environment

The Opticskin project is carried out by a consortium including the University of Lorraine, Nancy, University Claude Bernard Lyon, Ecole polytechnique, Palaiseau and regional hospital in Metz, featuring complementary skills in (i) clinical and biological expertise, (ii) multidimensional data processing, analysis and modelling and (iii) optical characterization of biological materials using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, autofluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging, imaging Mueller polarimetry.
The main goal of the Opticskin project is to achieve a breakthrough in the understanding of the optical properties and spectroscopic features of healthy, precancerous and cancerous human skin through an interdisciplinary multimodal and multiscale experimental and modelling approach.
The objectives of the project include:
- building a completely unique and innovative consistent database of histological and optical spectroscopic characteristics of healthy, precancerous and cancerous human skin in terms of absorption, elastic and inelastic (Raman) scattering, steady-state and time-resolved autofluorescence, and polarization properties (elastic scattering and autofluorescence modes), and to make it publicly available for the scientific and medical communities;
- identifying the co-localized multimodal optical signatures, featuring the different tissue states of interest within the spatial cartographies (maps) of ex vivo skin sections, aided by machine learning methods for their histopathological classification;
- make the link between the bio-optical features (spectral signatures, optical parameters) of healthy, precancerous and cancerous human skin at microscopic scale ex vivo and at macroscopic scale in vivo.

The work of postdoc will be performed within the Applied Optics and Polarimetry (AOP) group of the LPICM, Ecole polytechnique, Palaiseau. The laboratory includes about 100 persons (permanent staff + postdocs and PhD students). The AOP group has several decades of expertise in exploring polarized light for biomedical applications.

Constraints and risks

Using UV A light source of the Mueller microscope requires using protective glasses and corresponding safety training.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3131,32 and €4341,70 gross per month, depending on experience.

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