Job description

We are excited to offer an unique and challenging opportunity for a highly motivated scientist to join our team as a PhD candidate in the field of acoustics and photonics for biomedical research. This position will be based in a collaborative effort between Lille University (IEMN, France) and Ghent University (Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Belgium) in the context of the ERC starting grant project DYE-LIGHT led by Prof. Félix Sauvage.
As a successful candidate, you will work closely with two leading research groups in the field: the Ghent Group of Nanomedicines (Prof. Stefaan De Smedt and Prof. Félix Sauvage) and the IEMN (Prof. Michael Baudoin).
The primary focus of your research will be on the experimental development of acoustic tweezers for in-vivo biomedical applications. Acoustic tweezers rely on the use of ultrasonic acoustic waves (and a nonlinear effect called the acoustic radiation force) to trap, displace and organize remotely in-vivo or in-vitro microscopic objects. The team of Lille developed some specific tweezers [1,2] for in-vitro manipulation. Using original light-based techniques developed by the team of Ghent [3-5], you will also explore photonics to trap and displace microscopic objects in vitro and in-vivo.
The objective will be to compare, optimize and adapt these technologies for in vivo-applications and demonstrate their outstanding possibility for non-invasive microsurgery.
To support your research efforts, you will have access to a range of cutting-edge tools and technologies (advanced microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culturing, pulsed-lasers, clean room facilities), as well as several ex-vivo models developed by the Ghent Group of nanomedicines. You will work in a collaborative and stimulating environment, surrounded by a team of highly qualified researchers and technicians.
If you are passionate about physics and biomedical research and eager to take on a challenging and rewarding role, we encourage you to apply for this PhD position. We offer a 4-year fixed term contract starting on October 2nd 2023.

[1] M. Baudoin, J.-L. Thomas, R.A. Sahely, J.C. Gerbedoen, Z. Gong, A. Sivery, O. Bou Matar, N. Smagin, A. Vlandas, Spatialy selective manipulation of cells with single beam acoustical tweezers, Nature Communications, 11: 4244 (2020)
[2] M. Baudoin, J.-C. Gerbedoen, A. Riaud, O. Bou Matar, N. Smagin, J.-L. Thomas, Folding a focalized acoustical vortex on a flat holographic transducer: miniaturized selective acoustical tweezer, Science Advances, 5: eaav1967 (2019)
[3] F. Sauvage, V.P. Nguyen, Y. Li, A. Harizaj, J. Sebag, D. Roels, V. Van Havere, K. Peynshaert, R. Xiong, J.C. Fraire, M.-J. Tassignon, K. Remaut, Y.M. Paulus, K. Braeckmans, S.C. De Smedt, Laser-Induced Nanobubbles Safely Ablate Vitreous Opacities in Vivo, Nature Nanotechnology, 1–8. (2022).
[4] F. Sauvage, J.C. Fraire, K. Remaut, J. Sebag, K. Peynshaert, M. Harrington, F. Van de Velde, R. Xiong, M.-J. Tassignon, T. Brans, K. Braeckmans, S.C. De Smedt, Photoablation of Human Vitreous Opacities by Light-Induced Vapor Nanobubbles, ACS Nano, 13 (7), 8401–8416 (2019).
[5] D. Hua, A. Harizaj, M. Wels, T. Brans, S. Stremersch, H. De Keersmaecker, E. Bolea-Fernandez, F. Vanhaecke, D. Roels, K. Braeckmans, R. Xiong, C. Huang, S.C. De Smedt, F. Sauvage, Bubble Forming Films for Spatial Selective Cell Killing, Advanced Materials, e2008379 (2021).

Job profile

We are seeking Master students with a background in physics and or biomedical engineering and highly motivated by interdisciplinary projects.
Skills:

• Solid background in physics (if possible, in acoustics) and/or in biomedical engineering and interdisciplinary life science.
• Capacity to develop an experimental setup.

How to apply

To apply for the PhD student position, please provide the following documents:

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) that outlines your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, and any other achievements that are relevant to the position.
• A letter of motivation that explains why you are interested in this PhD position, your research interests, and how your skills and experience match the requirements of the position.
• A reference letter to be filled and signed by your last supervisor (e.g., during your master's degree). The reference letter should provide insight into your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential for success in the PhD program.
  
  

We encourage all interested applicants to submit their application to felix.sauvage@ugent.be an michael.baudoin@univ-lille.fr before July 31st 2023.