Doctorat interdisciplinaire en microscopie optique assistée par ordinateur M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Marker-free optical microscopy is primarily divided into two distinct approaches: far-field microscopy (constrained by the diffraction limit) and near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM), which circumvents this limitation by detecting evanescent waves within a few nanometers of the sample. While NSOM provides super-resolution, it does so in an intrusive manner. The intermediate region, where measurements are performed at distances comparable to the optical wavelength, remains relatively unexplored. In this regime, the interference between scattered and incident (or reflected) waves generates intricate patterns. Interference Scanning Optical probe Microscopy (ISOM) exploits these interference patterns, combined with inverse scattering techniques, to reconstruct the imaged sample with high fidelity.

We look for a PhD student with interdisciplinary skills in optics, instrumentation and computational imaging. The successful candidate will develop ISOM, enabling real-time super-resolution optical microscopy. This ambitious goal will require both improvement and innovation on the existing setup (optics) and instruments as well as the development of cutting-edge reconstruction methods (computational imaging). The project is funded by the Mission for transverse and interdisciplinary initiatives (MITI) at CNRS.

We warmly encourage applications from candidates with a master's degree and an interest in optics, instrumentation, and computational imaging. An interdisciplinary background is appreciated, but strong expertise in all three areas is not required. An interest in nanomaterials would be a valuable addition. Please send your CV including the names of one to two references, and a motivation letter to wolfgang.bacsa@cemes.fr and emmanuel.soubies@cnrs.fr. A formal application must also be submitted via the https://emploi.cnrs.fr/CNRS portal. However, we strongly encourage prospective applicants to contact us by email in advance.

Your Work Environment

The PhD will be carried out within an interdisciplinary collaboration between two teams from laboratories in Toulouse: IRIT (Computer Science) and CEMES (Centre for Nanoscience and Materials). One team, led by E. Soubies, specializes in computational imaging and image processing, while the other, led by W. Bacsa, focuses on the design and refinement of optical instrumentation and data acquisition systems. Although the PhD will be primarily based at CEMThe project will combine both experimental and computational components. On the experimental side, it will involve improving the existing instrument and performing measurements on a diverse set of test samples structured at the nanometer scale, in order to benchmark ISOM. On the computational side, the work will focus on the implementation of reconstruction algorithms and calibration methods.ES, regular (weekly) meetings will be organized between the two teams.

References :
Fourier Analysis of Interference Scanning Optical Probe Microscopy.
E. Soubies and W. Bacsa. IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging, vol. 11, 2025.
Optics Near Surfaces and at the Nanometer Scale.
W. Bacsa, R. Bacsa, T. Myers, Springer Briefs in Physics, ISSN 2191-5423, 2020.

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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