PhD student (M/F): a multi-scale study of the emergent properties of micro-tumours.

Job Description

Thesis Subject

This PhD project lies at the interface of biophysics, non-equilibrium statistical physics, and cancer biology. Its objective is to understand how stochastic fluctuations and cell-cell interactions combine to drive the spontaneous emergence of organized multicellular structures, with a particular focus on microtumors. The originality of the project lies in its systems-level approach, which integrates concepts from statistical physics and information processing into an established consortium of experimental physicists and cancer biologists.

The project establishes a close collaboration between IEMN and PhLAM, with the support of CANTHER. This interdisciplinary approach relies on the complementary expertise of S. Giordano (IEMN), who will develop a multiscale mathematical model of the multicellular system, and F. Anquez (PhLAM), who will lead the imaging developments and quantitative image analysis, with the support of C. Lagadec (CANTHER) in cancer biology. Experimental work will be carried out at PhLAM, while the theoretical developments will be conducted at IEMN. CANTHER will contribute its expertise in the preparation and manipulation of microtumors, complementing the biological capabilities available at PhLAM.

The research methodology is organized around two main objectives: (i) establishing a theory–experiment feedback loop to identify the fundamental mechanisms governing multicellular self-organization, and (ii) developing a novel imaging platform capable of tracking the spatial and temporal dynamics of every individual cell within in vitro microtumors. The PhD candidate will divide their time equally between these two research activities.

During the initial phase of the project, the theory–experiment feedback loop will be developed using an existing experimental platform whose operation and associated data-analysis methods are already well established and validated within the PhLAM team. Consequently, only limited effort will be required to acquire the experimental skills needed for this part of the project, allowing the PhD candidate to focus primarily on data analysis and on developing expertise in stochastic processes and related theoretical methods at IEMN.

The second part of the project will involve the design and construction of a light-sheet fluorescence microscope optimized for imaging individual cells within microtumors. Through this work, the PhD candidate will receive hands-on training in the design, implementation, and optimization of a state-of-the-art optical imaging system at PhLAM.

Your Work Environment

IEMN brings together, within a single research institute, most of the regional research activities in a broad range of scientific fields, from the physics of materials and nanostructures to telecommunications, acoustic instrumentation, and microwave technologies. The institute places particular emphasis on micro- and nanotechnologies, including nanostructures and nanoelectronics, microelectronics, microwave engineering, and microsystems.

PhLAM is a Joint Research Unit jointly operated by the CNRS and the University of Lille. Founded in 1998, it builds on more than sixty years of scientific excellence in Lille in the study of light–matter interactions. Its research spans a wide range of topics, including experimental and theoretical molecular physics, the dynamics of complex systems, photonics, and quantum science.

Constraints and risks

The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School Sciences de la Matière, du Rayonnement et de l'Environnement (ED SMRE). The PhD research will be conducted jointly at IEMN and PhLAM, both located on the University of Lille campus, with complementary activities carried out at each institute.

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