Description du sujet de thèse

In the pursuit of next-generation smart materials, there is a growing interest in self-assembled systems capable of reconfiguring themselves in response to external stimuli or being reprogrammed on demand. Developing such materials requires the confinement of responsive building blocks — in this case, DNA-functionalized colloidal particles — and making them sensitive to a range of environmental factors beyond temperature, such as pH, buffer conditions, light, or the presence of short DNA or RNA fragments in solution.
The ability to tune or reorganize self-assembled colloidal materials on demand would pave the way for smart materials that can dynamically adjust their properties in real time.

This PhD project will leverage the complementary expertise of two laboratories:

The Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal (CRPP), specialized in the synthesis and design of DNA-coated colloidal particles and in controlling their self-assembly pathways.

The Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences (LP2N), expert in the fabrication of permeable capsules using alginate shells, enabling the encapsulation of functional building blocks while modulating the size and permeability of the gel shell.

The goal will be to control the dynamic and reversible self-assembly of three-dimensional structures inside these capsules, triggered by external stimuli such as pH changes, controlled diffusion of DNA or RNA fragments, or spatially patterned light. Ultimately, the project aims to create responsive assemblies inspired by the adaptive properties of squid skin.

Contexte de travail

The candidate will work in two different laboratories: the "Colloids, Assemblies and Interfaces" team at the CRPP (Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, https://www.crpp.cnrs.fr/) in Pessac, France, under the supervision of Etienne Ducrot (CNRS researcher), and the "Bioimaging Optofluidics" team at the LP2N (Laboratoire Photonique, Numérique et Nanosciences, https://biof-lab.org/) in Talence, France, under the supervision of Amaury Badon (CNRS researcher).

This position falls within a sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST). Therefore, in accordance with regulations, your appointment will require prior authorization from the relevant authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

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

This position falls within a sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST). Therefore, in accordance with regulations, your appointment will require prior authorization from the relevant authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).