Doctorant en chimie inorganique (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Background
Conventional flow cytometry (FACS) is an essential tool for cellular analysis, but it has a major limitation: it does not allow proper analysis of cellular aggregates, which are nonetheless crucial in oncology. The overlap of scattering and fluorescence signals prevents their identification and often leads to their exclusion from analyses.
Time-resolved flow cytometry (TR-FACS), combined with ultrafast detectors such as SPAD (Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes), offers a radically new approach by exploiting the temporal dimension of fluorescence. It enables the reduction of autofluorescence, the discrimination between single cells and clusters, and introduces an innovative form of multiplexing.
The objective of this project is to develop original luminescent probes based on manganese or lanthanide complexes, whose lifetimes (≈100 µs to a few ms) are specifically adapted to the constraints of TR-FACS. These photonic materials will be (i) optimized in terms of intensity, stability, and lifetime, (ii) functionalized using an antibody–DNA strategy to ensure selective cell labeling, and (iii) integrated into a SPAD-based cytometry device to validate time-resolved and multiparametric detection of cells and micro-aggregates.
The project combines the complementary expertise of Laboratoire des Multimatériaux et Interfaces (LMI, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1) synthesis and characterization of photonic nanomaterials) and LIMMS/CNRS-IIS Tokyo (microfluidics, SPAD cytometry, bioconjugation). Expected outcomes include robust luminescent nanoparticles with controlled lifetimes, validated cell-labeling strategies via bioconjugation, and a proof of concept for compact time-resolved cytometry. Ultimately, this project will pave the way for accessible and high-performance cytometry platforms suitable for the analysis of cellular micro-aggregates and the detection of circulating tumor cells.
Mission
Nanoparticles (NPs) based on manganese or lanthanide complexes will be synthesized at LMI using precipitation methods. Particular attention will be paid to the selection of counter-cations and ligand engineering in order to precisely control emission lifetimes and optimize photophysical performance.The NPs will be functionalized for cell labeling using silane-based chemistry, enabling subsequent conjugation with amine-containing biomolecules via peptide bonds. Micrometer-sized polystyrene (PS) beads will be functionalized with these NPs.
The luminescent properties of NP-functionalized PS beads will be evaluated at LIMMS using a SPARK fluorescence plate reader (Tecan), which allows lifetime imaging with high sensitivity and reproducibility. The optical behavior of NP@PS beads will be further investigated using the 2DFC system developed by Prof. S. H. Kim (LIMMS).
The NPs will be conjugated with specific peptides to enable targeted cell labeling. The expertise of LIMMS/CNRS-IIS in nanotechnology and microfluidic systems will be leveraged to optimize the conjugation process and assess labeling efficiency using luminescent probes. The use of NP-based luminescent markers for sensitive and selective analysis of single cells will then be evaluated.
This project brings together the complementary expertise of LMI (synthesis and characterization of photonic nanomaterials) and LIMMS/CNRS-IIS Tokyo (microfluidics, SPAD cytometry, bioconjugation). Expected outcomes include robust luminescent nanoparticles with controlled lifetimes, validated cell-labeling strategies, and a proof of concept for compact time-resolved cytometry. Ultimately, the project will enable the development of accessible and highly efficient cytometry platforms for analyzing cellular micro-aggregates and detecting circulating tumor cells.

Your Work Environment

The PhD position is part of a CNRS MITI (Mission for Transversal and Interdisciplinary Initiatives) program and will be carried out at the Laboratoire des Multimatériaux et Interfaces (LMI, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1), under the supervision of Prof. Arnaud Brioude, in collaboration with LIMMS/CNRS-IIS Tokyo (IRL 2820).
LMI is a joint research unit (UMR 5615 CNRS / Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1) bringing together researchers in inorganic chemistry working on the design, synthesis, and characterization of inorganic nanoparticles. The PhD will be conducted within the CIMP team (Molecular Inorganic Chemistry and Precursors), whose research focuses on coordination chemistry, inorganic polymers, and hybrid materials.
LIMMS, located at the Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), Tokyo, is a leading laboratory in microfluidic technologies.
The PhD candidate will work in an interdisciplinary environment at the interface between luminescent nanoparticle synthesis, characterization, and their application to cellular detection. The candidate will have access to all necessary facilities, including synthesis equipment (e.g., solvothermal reactors) and characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, vibrational and luminescence spectroscopies, and scanning electron microscopy via the microstructure center of Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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

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