Description du sujet de thèse

The NOMAD project aims at tackling peri-implant mucositis which is a superficial inflammatory lesion of gingival tissue initiated by microbial adhesion to dental implant and subsequent microbial biofilm formation. The healing consist in local antiseptic treatment by a professional and appropriate dental hygiene measures. However, if left untreated it can progress to peri-implantitis, where the inflammatory process progresses leading to the loss of the supporting bone, and eventual implant failure.
The NOMAD project is a collaborative European project that aims at developing the next generation of dental implants that can prevent peri-implantitis diseases and thus, increase the long-term implant success. To this aim, our consortium wants to improve the sealing at the gingival to implant interface by promoting the adhesion of the soft tissue to the abutment, by reducing biofilm formation by the smart release of active compound, and by improving bone growth at the fixtures. The fixtures are made either of titanium or zirconia.
In the scope of this project, the recruited PhD student will focus on the stimulation of bone tissue growth on the zirconia fixture. To this aim, zirconia surface will be chemically functionalized in order to allow the grafting of chemically active molecules (such as ECM components, growth factors) or the combinatorial immobilization of amino-acids in order to mimic bioactive compounds. Therefore, the PhD student will study the chemical modification of zirconia and its impact on the mechanical properties of the fixture. The resulting surface will be characterized using surface analytical technique such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, infra-red spectroscopy…Next, she/he will immobilized selected active molecules or amino acids and evaluate the growth of osteoblast on the resulting surface. The stability of the coating will also be evaluated in particular during the sterilization step. She/he will develop skill in material science, surface bio-engineering, surface and mechanical characterisation and cell bioassay.
The PhD student will work both at Mateis (https://mateis.insa-lyon.fr/) in the Ceramics and Composites (CC) and Biological Interactions and Biomaterials (I2B) teams and at INL (https://inl.cnrs.fr/) in the Devices for Health and Environment (DSE) team. The CC team is focused on the fabrication of implant, the study of their mechanical properties, the I2B team on their interaction with cells while the DSE team has expertise in surface bio-engineering and surface characterization.

Contexte de travail

The PhD student will be funded by Horizon Europe NOMAD. The PhD student will be registered in the Material doctoral school, speciality Ceramics (https://ed34.universite-lyon.fr/accueil-ed-34-materiaux-202158.kjsp?RH=1610372329112&RF=1610370340269)
The work will be performed at the Lyon Institute of Nanotechnologies (INL, https://inl.cnrs.fr/) and at Mateis (https://mateis.insa-lyon.fr/) under the supervision of Dr. E. Laurenceau and Dr L. Gremillard and in strong interactions with Dr Y. Chevolot and Pr J. Chevalier.
In the frame of the NOMAD project, the candidate will work in close collaboration with the other partners of the project and will attend to the consortium meetings.

Contraintes et risques

As the PhD is a co-supervision between Mateis and INL, the PhD student will have to share his/her time between the two laboratories. He/She will have to fulfil the requirements of the Material doctoral school (scientific tutorials…). Furthermore, the candidate hiring will be subject to the approval from the security defence officer and for foreign students to the delivery of a working visa. The security defence procedure requires two month examination and a supplementary month is to be expected for the establishment of the contract.

Informations complémentaires

The candidate must have fulfilled a master degree or equivalent diploma. The applicant should have a solid background in chemistry, physico-chemistry or material science, knowledge in biochemistry or biology will be appreciated. A high level of communication skills, both oral and written in English is required in order to be able to interact with the consortium partners, to present the work at international conferences and to write scientific publications.
Moreover, this project being at the chemistry, materials and biology interface, the applicant should demonstrate strong motivation for multidisciplinary project with a thirst for knowledge, a certain independence of thought. He/She should be autonomous. In addition, the candidate must be able to work in a team on multi‐disciplinary projects.
Applications should be deposited on the CNRS Portail Emploi, and should idealy comprise: a detailed CV; at least two references (people who may be contacted); a cover letter of one page; a one‐page summary of the dissertation for the Masters; grades for the Masters 1 or 2 (or equivalent degree).