PhD Student (M/F) in mathematics applied to biology

Job Description

Thesis Subject

This interdisciplinary thesis lies at the interface of mathematics, biology/physiology, and geography. It is part of the One Health framework and aims to question the relevance of regulatory thresholds for tropospheric ozone pollution in light of the diversity of terrestrial mammals—including humans—present in the Alpes-Maritimes region.
Tropospheric ozone is a secondary pollutant resulting from photochemical reactions of fossil fuel combustion components. It is particularly concerning because, unlike other pollutants, its concentration is not decreasing. As a powerful oxidizing agent, it causes inflammation of the respiratory tract, epithelial damage, and exacerbates cardiorespiratory diseases. However, current regulatory thresholds are based on epidemiological studies focused on the average adult human, ignoring children, healthy individuals, and other animal species.
The central hypothesis is that smaller mammals are proportionally more exposed due to the characteristics of their respiratory systems. The Alpes-Maritimes region provides an ideal case study: high sunlight, major pollution sources (highways, airport), and a wide diversity of habitats coexisting within a small area.
The project is based on three complementary tasks:
1/ We will construct scenarios of typical exposure days to ozone for humans and for various terrestrial mammals in the region, by combining mobility and activity data (open-access platforms DataSud, BioDiv06, partnership with naturalists from the Parc Naturel Régional des Préalpes d'Azur) with high-resolution atmospheric data provided by AtmoSud, a project partner.
2/ We will develop transport-diffusion-reaction models of ozone within the mammalian respiratory system, taking into account species-specific physiological characteristics via allometric scaling laws. These models will estimate the doses of ozone and its reactive by-products that actually reach the bronchial epithelium. The ozone transport models will build on ventilation models of the respiratory system already available at LJAD.
3/ We will apply this entire methodology to the mammalian species of the region to develop inter- and intraspecific toxicity indicators, and then compare them with official regulatory thresholds.
The doctoral candidate will be involved in all three tasks, but will work more specifically on reconstructing the typical exposure days and on developing the ozone transport model.

Your Work Environment

The doctoral candidate will contribute to the development of the respiratory system modeling research group at LJAD. They will also be part of the administrative team Interfaces of Mathematics and Complex Systems, which brings together researchers in applied mathematics, biology, mechanics, physics, and chemistry.

Constraints and risks

The project is interdisciplinary and involves civil society organizations. Interactions and collaborations with all these partners are essential to successfully carry out the project.

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

The research professions