Description du sujet de thèse

Being able to re-engineer biomimetic systems capable to harvest light energy efficiently in a modular way, to further couple it to electrochemical reactions is a major experimental challenge. Engineering photosynthetic efficient systems is therefore a challenge both of fundamental interest and of practical interest to propose solutions to our current pressing environmental needs. Light is the primary source of energy on Earth. Being able to effectively convert this light energy into chemical energy in the form of high energy molecules and fuels will be a complimentary approach to electric conversion of light, of interest when the storage of this energy is required. Yet, while highly abundant on Earth, the overall yield of conversion of light energy to chemical energy remains limited to a few percent at most in most of the Natural and technical systems. We want to build an artificial modular approach of the photosynthetic process in which we decouple light harvesting from the creation of high energy molecules. Here we are interested in the first module in photosynthesis : photon absorption and how it is coupled to cofactor regeneration (ATP and NADPH) and to electrochemical processes in general.

Contexte de travail

The work will be carried out at the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, in Pessac. The research project will be integrated in the Bio2.0 group lead by Jean-Christophe Baret. All experimental activities will be performed at the CRPP where experimental setups, demonstrators and prototypes will be set up. As of 2025, the group is constituted by 7 permanent research scientists working in the field of biophysics, biochemistry and physical chemistry, 4 researchers and technicians and 22 non permanent scientists (PhD students and post-docs). The PhD Candidate will be involved in the scientific and social activities of the group and fully integrated to the institute. The supervising team involves :
• Jean-Christophe Baret, PI, soft matter, synthetic cells, energy management in microsystems
• Alexandre Baron, Assistant Professor at Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, CRPP, expertise in optics and photonics
• Thomas Beneyton, Research Engineer CNRS, CRPP, expert in biomicrofluidics, light-control in microfluidics, thylakoids and synthetic photosynthesis
Internal collaborations with the members of the BioPhysical group at CRPP are envisionned on electrochemistry (Nicolas Mano), soft matter (Laura Alvarez), light-responsive systems (Nicolas Martin).

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

International travels planned

Informations complémentaires

N/A