Missions

The Nanobio team develops innovative concepts to push the limits of fluorescence lifetime microscopy and single-molecule localization microscopy, with the aim of enabling dynamic observation of living biological systems and nanostructures. This research lies at the interface of physics, physical chemistry, photophysics and biology, and seeks to simultaneously extract structural, dynamical and environmental information at the single-molecule scale.
Within the framework of this position, the recruited researcher will contribute to the development of a novel time-resolved fluorescence lifetime measurement approach, in close connection with methods based on single-molecule brightness analysis. The objective is to combine ultra-high-precision spatial localization, reduced acquisition times, and access to key photophysical parameters enabling characterization of the local environment of fluorophores.
Fluorescence lifetime is a powerful probe of molecular interactions, chemical environment and local medium properties, both in living cells and in nanostructures or functional materials. The project therefore strongly encourages applications from candidates with backgrounds in physics, physical chemistry or photophysics, interested in the development of new experimental methodologies and their application to complex systems.
These developments will be carried out within the framework of the ERC TimeNanoLive project, in a highly interdisciplinary environment fostering interactions between instrumentation, modelling and biological applications.

Activities

Depending on their background, which may be in physics/optics or in physical chemistry with expertise in photophysics, the recruited researcher will contribute to several aspects of the project, including:
-design, development and validation of experimental optical microscopy setups
-modelling and optimization of experimental parameters
-adaptation and further development of existing image and data analysis tools
-performance characterization using various types of samples (calibration samples, model systems, biological samples and/or nanomaterials)
-participation in the supervision of students (interns and/or PhD candidates)
-preparation of scientific publications and progress reports
-presentation of results at national and international conferences

Skills

-background in physics/optics or physical chemistry, with a strong interest or expertise in photophysics
-knowledge of fluorescence microscopy
-experience in single-molecule imaging, including data acquisition and analysis
-familiarity with biological samples (cell culture) and/or nanomaterials is an asset
-experience in scientific programming and data analysis using Python and/or MATLAB
-ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and to communicate results effectively

Work Context

This work will be carried out at ISMO within the interdisciplinary NanoBio team (Joint Research Unit CNRS / Université Paris-Saclay), as part of the European ERC TimeNanoLive project.
The NanoBio team develops novel fluorescence microscopy modalities aimed at pushing the limits of observation, both in terms of acquisition speed and imaging depth, for applications ranging from biology to the study of nanomaterials. These developments lie at the crossroads of multiple disciplines and involve expertise in optics, electronics, image and data processing (including machine learning), photophysics, chemistry and biology.

The position is therefore particularly suited for candidates wishing to work at the core of this interdisciplinarity, with a background in physics/optics or physical chemistry/photophysics, and an interest in exploring related fields.
The laboratory offers access to on-site cell culture facilities, several single-molecule localization microscopes, and conventional widefield FLIM systems, and benefits from the support of shared technical platforms in mechanics, electronics and instrumentation.

Constraints and risks

laser beam
culture cell