About LIGHTinPARIS programme
LIGHTinPARIS is an MSCA COFUND Doctoral Programme dedicated to advancing research in the field of the Sciences of Light. It offers 33 research topics in 2025.
Practical arrangements
Each research project will be supervised by two academic advisors in order to offer either an interdisciplinary training (coadvisor from a different field), an intersectoral training (coadvisor working in a company) or an international training (coadvisor working in a foreign laboratory and hosting the student during 12 months).
Successful candidates will be employed by one of the programme’s implementing partners, which include UPSaclay, Thales, Pasqal, Quandela, AbbeLight, and ONERA.
Gross salary prior to employee tax deduction: €2,400.
This includes a mobility allowance of €50 and a travel allowance up to €150 per month.
Duration: 36 months
Starting dates:
– First call: October 1st, 2025 (Mandatory before December 1st, 2025)
– Second call: October 1st, 2026 (Mandatory before December 1st, 2026).
Teaching
PhD students will have the opportunity to gain teaching experience during their PhD, if their advisor agrees.
If they teach, they will receive an extra pay for this activity: 340 euros gross salary per month for a total of 64 hours per year.
Academic training
PhD candidates will benefit from a large variety of lectures at Paris-Saclay University. Additionally, the LIGHTinPARIS programme offers to its fellows a training to ensure that doctoral students graduate with a comprehensive set of both technical and soft skills, ready to shape their future careers.
Residential LIGHTinPARIS five days workshop on i) interdisciplinary communication, ii) detection of innovation potential, iii) inclusive practices and behaviours.
Industrial / International Professional trainings A three days training focussed on career development with emphasis on industrial careers or international careers. Introduction to innovation and startups will also be provided through seminars and workshops.
Specific short courses in:
– Ethics and integrity
– Open science
– Sustainable research and development
They will benefit from industrial and international secondments, equipping them with essential technical skills and valuable professional networks.
Research environment
All projects will be primarily hosted in one of Université Paris-Saclay’s laboratories, offering access to state-of-the-art research facilities.
Who can apply ?
(eligibility)
To be eligible for the PhD position, candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. This means applicants from any country in the world are welcome, provided they:
- Have not resided or carried out their main activities(work, studies, etc.) in the host country (France) for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before their starting date of recruitment (except for those applying for refugee status under the Geneva Convention).
- Must not have spent more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately preceding their recruitment date at the same appointing organization. This requirement applies to all international EU research organizations, international organizations, or entities established under Union law.
Additionally, to be eligible, you:
- Should hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) by the recruitment date and not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the calls’ deadlines.
- Should be available to begin employment in October or November 2025.
Applications from female candidates are strongly encouraged. We strive for gender diversity and equality in the profiles of the selected candidates and we are particularly committed to support women in the sciences of light.
