PhD Student (M/F): Development of multi-enzymatic solutions for the degradation of biofilm and plastic

Job Description

Thesis Subject

This PhD project addresses two major global challenges: a health-related challenge concerning the treatment of bacterial biofilms, and an environmental challenge concerning the degradation of plastics.
On the one hand, the World Health Organisation continues to alert the healthcare sector to the emergence and proliferation of microbial strains that are multi-resistant to antibiotics. Bacterial resistance leads to the formation of biofilms that are difficult to treat. In Europe, one in twenty patients will contract a healthcare-associated infection during their hospital stay, making it the sixth leading cause of death in hospitals. Specific treatment of mature biofilms is required for wound care and for water distribution systems.
Furthermore, the accumulation of plastic, particularly in the form of microplastics and nanoplastics, poses a major environmental challenge in terms of water purification.
This PhD project aims to develop multi-enzyme solutions to treat bacterial biofilms and degrade microplastics. The project will form part of a broader interdisciplinary project at the interface between soft matter physics and biochemistry. More detailed information will be provided at a later stage of the recruitment process.

Activities
- Prepare aqueous solutions of enzymes and water-soluble polymers
- Characterise enzyme activity in different environments
- Characterise the secondary structure of enzymes using infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism
- Characterise the antibacterial properties of the solutions developed in microbiology
- Characterise the plastic-degrading properties of the solutions developed using physico-chemical techniques
- Interpret and analyse results; present findings in English, either orally or in writing

Skills
The candidate must hold a Master's degree in physical chemistry or physics in the field of soft matter science and possess the following skills:
- A good understanding of the physical chemistry of polymers or proteins in aqueous solution.
- Ability to communicate scientific results effectively
- Good organisational skills and the ability to work as part of a team
- Ability and willingness to engage in interdisciplinary scientific activities
- Minimum B1 level of English
- No prior knowledge of biology required, but it would be an advantage
- Ability to work as part of a team

Your Work Environment

This PhD thesis forms part of a major interdisciplinary project at the interface between soft matter physics, physical chemistry and biochemistry, involving various partners in Strasbourg, Paris and Le Mans. Based at the Charles Sadron Institute in Strasbourg, the project will involve regular exchanges with the other partners. The PhD student will be based in the IRIS team at the ICS, working closely with PhD students, researchers and engineers from other research teams (MIM, M3, TSP) and platforms (InCa, Plamics, Carmac). The thesis will be based at the Cronenbourg campus, which is easily accessible by public transport and features on-site university catering facilities and the CAES (Comité d'Action et d'Entraide Sociales), which organises sporting and cultural activities on campus. The doctoral student's home school will be the School of Physics and Physical Chemistry (ED 182).

Constraints and risks

The risks associated with this post relate to chemicals and working at a computer screen.
The PhD student will be required to present their findings in France and abroad, which will involve travel over the course of the three years. This PhD position do not rise on-call duties, shift work, or weekend work.

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