PhD Thesis Project Catalogue 2nd Call
Continuous loading of neutral atom arrays for quantum computing (AtomIQ-Lab)
Supervisor: Thierry Lahaye | Employer: Pasqal | 3i dimension: intersectoral 📥 PASQ-1-ATOM
Contact: thierry.lahaye@institutoptique.fr; bruno.ximenez@pasqal.comAbstract: Quantum computing leverages quantum physics to tackle complex computational problems such as simulations and optimization more efficiently than classical systems. PASQAL develops Quantum Processing Units (QPUs) based on neutral atoms trapped in optical tweezers, a method pioneered at Laboratoire Charles Fabry. A key performance bottleneck of such QPUs is their low operational frequency, limited by the slow atom loading and rearrangement processes. This PhD project aims to overcome this limitation by developing and demonstrating a continuous atom-loading technique that replenishes quantum registers in real time, enabling higher computation frequencies. Combined with non-destructive measurements, this approach supports mid-circuit operations required for fault-tolerant quantum computing and improves scalability. The student will design, build, and validate an R&D prototype, contributing to the experimental realization of this technique and collaborating closely with PASQAL's teams.
Project Objectives
The student will make a key contribution to this project carried out by a large team, by: 1.Participating in the literature review and exploring different options of architecture design for this prototype. 2.Participating in the construction and validation of the R&D prototype. 3.Participating in the experimental implementation and demonstration of the continuous loading scheme. 4.He or she will also interact with other teams in the Hardware department at Pasqal and will be exposed and integrated to the company's work organization.
Host Laboratory: LCF 3i Host Laboratory: Pasqal (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: to complete
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: 0
Fault-tolerant quantum computing tools with neutral atoms (AtomQEC)
Supervisor: Antoine Browaeys | Employer: Pasqal | 3i dimension: intersectoral 📥 PASQ-2-ATOMQ
Contact: antoine.browaeys@institutoptique.fr; pascal.scholl@pasqal.comAbstract: This PhD project aims to advance fault-tolerant quantum computing on Pasqal's neutral-atom Quantum Processing Units. Building on cutting-edge techniques that trap and control cold atoms with optical tweezers, the work will focus on achieving high-fidelity quantum gates, implementing mid-circuit readout, and enabling logical qubits—key ingredients for quantum error correction. The candidate will explore improved gate protocols, optimized atom-movement strategies, and new logical encodings, combining theoretical design with experimental implementation. Conducted in close collaboration with Pasqal and the Laboratoire Charles Fabry, this project offers a unique opportunity to shape the next generation of scalable, fault-tolerant quantum technologies.
Project Objectives
The PhD will focus on developing the essential building blocks for fault-tolerant quantum computing on neutral-atom platforms. This includes achieving high-fidelity quantum gates through improved laser control and optimized protocols, implementing reliable mid-circuit readout, and enabling precise atom movement for all-to-all connectivity. A central objective is the realization and characterization of logical qubits using various encoding schemes. Together, these goals aim to demonstrate the first proof-of-concept implementations of quantum error correction and fault-tolerant computation on Pasqal's hardware.
Host Laboratory: LCF 3i Host Laboratory: PASQAL (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: to complete
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: 0
Backward Optical Parametric Processes for Remote-Sensing (BOPRO)
Supervisor: Antoine GODARD | Employer: ONERA | 3i dimension: intersectoral (interdisciplinary, international) 📥 ONER-1-BOPR
Contact: antoine.godard@onera.fr; jean-baptiste.dherbecourt@onera.frAbstract: Recently introduced as a promising candidate in the frame of laser source developments for spaceborne atmosphere remote sensing applications, the backward wave optical parametric oscillator (BWOPO) is a specific type of frequency down-converter, where the infrared parametric waves (signal and idler) are travelling in opposite directions, which gives rise to many remarkable properties such as high conversion efficiency and intrinsic narrow linewidth emission. In this context, the thesis project aims at exploring original experimental implementations of BWOPOs in order to improve their current performances in terms of output power, spectral linewidth and stability, or to produce new functionalities taking advantage of the fact that the BWOPO can directly transfer near-infrared pump laser properties to the mid-infrared parametric waves.
Project Objectives
Amongst the many open research paths, it is for example proposed to study the spectral characteristics of a BWOPO generating 2 µm radiation for CO2 remote sensing when pumped with the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, as it is expected to bring significant improvements in terms of spectral stability with respect to the pump laser pointing drifts. Other experiments will consist in actively shaping the temporal and spectral properties of a hybrid fiber-bulk ytterbium amplifier with electro and acousto-optics modulators. This could be done in order to either improve the BWOPO spectral properties or to produce original spectral shapes such as frequency combs that could be directly transferred for spectroscopy applications. Finally, the PhD student will have the opportunity to apply the BWOPO to actual remote sensing experiments currently carried out in the lab at ONERA for greenhouse gases concentration measurement with the differential absorption lidar method.
Host Laboratory: DPHY 3i Host Laboratory: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6040-4478 (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Antoine Godard received the Engineering degree from Institut d’Optique Graduate School in 1998, and the PhD degree in 2003 and the Habilitation (HDR) in 2016, both from Université Paris-Saclay. He joined ONERA, the French national aerospace research centre, as a research scientist in 2003. His research involves laser applications and nonlinear optics with a special interest in optical parametric oscillators and their applications to atmospheric sensing. He has authored over 65 articles in peer-reviewed journal and over 220 communications at international conferences (34 invited) and hold two patents. He has supervised 8 PhD students (6 defended and 2 on going) and was co-advisor of 14 other PhD students. Since 2022, he has been the Scientific Director of Physics Domain of ONERA. He is also the president-elect of the French Optical Society (2024-2026) and Fellow from Optica (2026).
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Jean-Baptiste Dherbecourt is a senior research engineer with experience in nonlinear optics and remote sensing applications. In 2026 he will co-supervise 2 PhD students (50% involvement for each).
Exploring Brain-Body interactions with Expansion microscopy (BRAINEXPAND)
Supervisor: Tihana JOVANIC | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 BIOS-1-BRAI
Contact: tihana.jovanic@cnrs.fr; sandra.autran@cnrs.frAbstract: The brain and the body are intricately linked and physiological signals from other body systems influence nervous system activity and behavior. To understand how the brain and the body interact in different states it is necessary to have the map of the communication networks between, brain-wide and organism-wide. We propose to map these interactions using expansion microscopy of the Drosophila larva's central nervous system (CNS) to identify state-dependent synaptic changes in neural networks and of the entire animal to determine the communications networks between the different body systems and the CNS.
Project Objectives
Aim1. Identifying circuit connectivity differences with high-resolution expansion microscopy. We will take advantage of identified circuits in Drosophila larva to compare connectivity between pairs of neurons in different physiological states. We will combine immunostaining of the presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and synaptic markers to compare the connections upon expansion. We have performed proof of principle work that laval CNS (central nervous system) can be expanded and that the fluorescence upon staining can be preserved . Aim 2. Whole-organism expansion microscopy to study brain-body communication systems. We will combine expansion microscopy with immunohistochemistry and light sheet ultramicroscopy to reveal the distribution of interoceptive neurons within the organisms and reconstruct their pathways from different tissues into the CNS. We will also examine the distribution and location of cells throughout the organism that release communication signals with the CNS.
Host Laboratory: Institut des neurosciences Paris-Saclay, NeuroPSI 3i Host Laboratory: Institut Pasteur (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: After a PhD in immunology at Institut Pasteur, Tihana Jovanic began research in neuroscience for her postdoc in M. Zlatic's lab at Janelia Research Campus (USA) where she helped establish the Drosophila larva as a model system for dissecting neural circuits with cellular and synaptic resolution. She analyzed the neural mechanisms of behavioral choice and action sequences, research topics that she has continued to develop since then. She, is currently a CNRS researcher and team leader at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience – NeuroPSI. Her work focuses on the flexibility of the neural circuits underlying decision-making and behavioral sequences, and how these processes are modulated by context/state using a multidisciplinary approach to characterize neural networks and their interactions with other system in the body. (fundings: ANR, FRC, FRM etc.)
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: JB Masson is a Principal Investigator of the Decision and Bayesian Computation lab at Institut Pasteur and a theoretical physicist by training. His research focuses on the algorithms and computation selected by evolution to perform biological decision-making. He address this topic with an interdisciplinary approach mixing statistical physics, Bayesian machine learning, information theory and various experimental biological setups. They are now focusing on algorithms implemented in the brain of the drosophila larva. His team has also developed approaches joining human cognition, probabilistic AI and virtual reality to explore complex unstructured data (Machine learning in Virtual Reality: DIVA ( https://goo.gl/dnNueu ). Results are included in the software DIVA (J Mol Biol 2019 that has various applications in the biomedical field.
CHIral Saddle-shaped Organic Semiconductors (CHISOS)
Supervisor: David KREHER (primary) and Cyrille BARRETEAU (secondary) | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 2MIB-1-CHIS
Contact: david.kreher@uvsq.fr; cyrille.barreteau@cea.frAbstract: Optical rotation, electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) techniques clearly confirm the ability of optically active molecules to modulate the properties of circularly polarized light. This specific interaction between light and chiral matter has generated considerable interest within the scientific community due to its practical applications in various fields and is now considered a cutting-edge technology for 3D display devices. With this in mind, we will explore the synthesis and photophysical and chiroptical properties of enantioenriched chromophores based on combinations of COTPh or COTTh and porphyrin pigments, thereby creating new families of 3D OSCs with improved solubility, stability, and chiroptical activities, thanks to the synergy between the saddle-shaped core and the pigment properties.
Project Objectives
This project deals with the design of multifunctional chiral materials exhibiting marked chiroptical activities (electronic circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence) for chiro-optoelectronic applications: theoretical calculations, synthesis, and characterization. This ambitious project involves and needs many collaborato, with partners in charge of theoritical modeling on one side (PhD co-Direcor), in photophysical measurements on another side, both being in Paris-Saclkay surroundings, as well as a long-date japanese partner to built and characterize the final devices where will be inserted our materials.
Host Laboratory: Institut Lavoisier de Versailles (ILV) 3i Host Laboratory: Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics Research (OPERA), Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (JAPAN)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Organic and material chemist, I am interested in structure/property relationships, developing pi-conjugated organic (nano)materials. This versatility is reflected both in my teaching and in my research and my scientific collaborations which are crucial, such as with Pr. C. Adachi (Japan), a main partner of this proposal at the international. More precisely, my activities are positioned at the interface of many fields, and in this context I am currently coordinating projects aimed at the synthesis and study of the properties of new materials for optoelectronics applications. In addition, I always invested myself significantly both in teaching (by coordinating Master formations) and in the context of various local or national bodies (member of CNU 33 for 10 years, member of CoCNRS section 12 for 5 years, member of an ANR comitee, ....).
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: 0
Combined Laser And Synchrotron pHotoelectron studies to assess the rovibronic structure of cations (CLASH)
Supervisor: Séverine BOYE-PERONNE | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EDOM-1-CLAS
Contact: severine.boye-peronne@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project exploits state-of-the-art tunable VUV radiation sources—including a fourth-generation synchrotron and a pulsed VUV laser—combined with advanced photoelectron spectroscopic techniques to achieve real-time, in situ identification of gas-phase reactive species relevant to the interstellar medium and combustion processes. By synergistically integrating results from synchrotron-based photoelectron-photoion coincidence methods with high-resolution laser techniques (PFI-ZEKE and PFI-MATI), we will resolve molecular structures down to the rotational level, enabling unambiguous differentiation of isomers and even conformers of reactive intermediates. Coupled with state-of-the-art ab initio simulations, this approach addresses challenges in combustion, atmospheric, and interstellar chemistry, such as finding novel reaction pathways leading to PAHs in energy conversion processes, molecular clouds or circumstellar envelopes.
Project Objectives
This PhD project focuses on exploring the photoionization processes of both stable and radical species pertinent in combustion reactions and interstellar chemistry, with the aim of obtaining unprecedented insights into the rovibrational structure of the corresponding cations. The experimental work will combine synchrotron-based measurements at the VUV beamline at PSI, enabling broad spectroscopic surveys at medium (vibrational) resolution, with high-resolution laser experiments conducted at ISMO on the same species. The molecular constants derived from these complementary investigations will be incorporated into molecular databases such as PEPISCO database and further used to predict or validate the models for combustion reaction networks or chemistry of the interstellar medium.
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: Paul Scherrer Institute (SWITZERLAND)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Séverine Boyé-Péronne, born in 1974, obtained her PhD in Laser and Optics from Paris-Sud University in 2001. After a postdoc at Aarhus University (Denmark), she became Assistant Professor at Paris-Sud in 2003. She obtained her Habilitation in 2013 and has been Full Professor at Paris-Saclay University since 2018. Head of the Master’s program in Applied Physics and Vice-President of the Physics Department , she teaches Laser Physics, Optics, and Molecular Spectroscopy. Her research focuses on photoionization spectroscopy of gas-phase radicals relevant to astrophysics, using advanced photoelectron techniques at ISMO lab and SOLEIL synchrotron facility. She is PI of multiple synchrotron projects and member of the France-USA QUADMARTS network. She has co-authored more than 70 papers, and co-supervised 7 PhD students.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Patrick Hemberger, born in 1981 in Würzburg, is a principal investigator and beamline scientist at the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). He obtained a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Würzburg (Germany, 2011) under the supervision of Prof. Ingo Fischer. Patrick develops and applies photoelectron–photoion coincidence (PEPICO) techniques using VUV synchrotron radiation to elucidate reaction mechanisms across all states, time scales, and phases, with a strong focus on heterogeneous catalysis, combustion, and the chemistry of the interstellar medium. He received the Ružička Prize in Chemistry from ETH Zurich and was selected as a Mercator Fellow by the German Science Foundation (DFG). Recently, Patrick was recognized for his contributions to energy research in the Rising Stars special issue of Energy & Fuels.
Control and manipulation of a laser XUV photon beam (COMAX)
Supervisor: Willem BOUTU | Employer: Imagine Optic | 3i dimension: intersectoral 📥 IMAG-1-COMA
Contact: willem.boutu@cea.fr; gdovillaire@imagine-optic.comAbstract: The Extreme UltraViolet (XUV) photon energy range (10-100 nm) is crucial for many applications, from fundamental physics to more applied domains. However, there is no natural XUV source of light on Earth because photons are strongly absorbed by matter. People instead have to rely on expensive large-scale sources such as synchrotrons or free electron lasers. High order laser harmonic generation, discovered 30 years ago and recognized by the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2023, is a promising alternative as a laboratory scale source. Based on a strongly nonlinear interaction between an ultrashort intense laser and an atomic gas, it results in the emission of XUV pulses with ultrashort durations, very high coherence properties and large fluxes. However, it has up to know been mostly limited to laboratories. Bridging the gap towards applied industry requires increasing the reliability of the beamlines and developing tools to measure and control their properties, aims of this project.
Project Objectives
The main objective of the project is to increase the develop a XUV beamline dedicated to metrology. To reach the spatial quality required by the application, we will use wavefront characterization to study the transfer of the spatial properties from the generating laser to the XUV beam through this highly nonlinear mechanism, using adaptative optics to control beam quality and specific optics to control orbital angular momentum. A new microfocusing optics, coupled with phase front stitching technique, will be implemented to enable high numerical aperture applications for metrology and imaging.
Host Laboratory: LIDYL 3i Host Laboratory: Imagine Optic (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Willem Boutu is a research director at CEA Paris Saclay, at the LIDYL laboratory. He received his doctoral degree in 2007 in Attophysics from University Paris Sud in the group of Bertrand Carré at CEA Saclay. After a two-year postdoctoral stay at the University of California, Berkeley, he came back to CEA, where he holds a permanent position since 2011. After studying electron dynamics in the gas phase, he recently shifted his interest to the study of strong field physics in the condensed phase. At the same time, he has moved towards a more applied approach to his research, which led to the development of XUV microscopy. In 2020, he started a joint laboratory with Imagine Optic to develop applications to XUV metrology. He is the director of LIDYL since December 2024. He has supervised 6 PhD students and co-supervised 5 others. Three of them were students co-supervised with Imagine Optic.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Guillaume is the CTO of Imagine Optic, a SME based closed to Paris. Guillaume leads for 20 years a team of about 15 persons all experts in wavefront sensing and adaptive optics. He was strongly involved in the development of wavefront sensors dedicated to Extreme UV light and cosigned many scientific papers in this field. He manages all the new developments and collaborations with labs working with synchrotron, FEL or HHG beamlines. He more recently focused his work on adaptive optics for air turbulence mitigation within the development of the CIAO system.
ELectrically tuned Indirect eXcitons in In-plane and out-of-plane 2D semiconductoR hetero-nanostructuRes (ELIXIR2)
Supervisor: Elsa CASSETTE | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 EDOM-2-ELIX
Contact: elsa.cassette@ens-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project aims to use time-resolved optical Stark spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of exciton recombination and dissociation in original assemblies and heterostructures of two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures. The goal is to tune the energy and coupling of the excitonic states in strongly confined colloidal quantum wells (nanoplatelets), with the external electric fields.The exciton binding energy will be modified while playing on the spatial overlap (and extent) of the electron and hole wavefunctions (charge transfer character). Dynamics of exciton recombination & dissociation will be probed by photoluminescence using a picosecond streak camera and charge transfer will be scrutinized by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. An important feedback between these measurements and the samples developed at ILM will be essential to obtain high quality interfaces and composition tunability.
Project Objectives
The ultimate objective of this project is to understand and drive efficient exciton dissociation in heterostructures of ultrathin two-dimensional semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) of metal chalcogenides. These highly confined nanostructures, with a large absorption cross section and efficient transport properties, exhibit a strong exciton binding energy (of several 100s of meV), which is detrimental for charge separation in light-to-energy conversion devices. These NPLs provide an ideal platform to investigate the dynamics of charge transfer and exciton dissociation, with the undefined role of exciton delocalization, charge-transfer character and curvature-induced strain. These effects will be tuned through structural and interfacial design within 2D heterostructures with in-plane and out-of-plane geometries, and ultrafast Stark spectroscopy will be used to probe specifically the spectral and dynamical signatures of charge transfer excitons and their dissociation into free carriers.
Host Laboratory: LuMIn 3i Host Laboratory: Institut Lumière-Matière (iLM) (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Elsa Cassette, 39 y-o, CNRS researcher at LuMIn (UMR 9024). My research focuses on studying the photophysical dynamical processes in semiconductor nanostructures, that I probe with ultrafast optical spectroscopies toward improving the efficiency of opto-electronic devices. I received my PhD in 2012 from the Université Paris VI (LPEM, ESPCI-Paris) and joined as a postdoc the group of G. Scholes at the University of Toronto (Canada, 2012-2014) and Princeton (USA, 2015-2016). I was hired at the CNRS in 2016 (Section 15/ex13), while funded by the program “Accueil de Chercheurs de Haut Niveau” (ACHN) from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR, project “CaMPUUS”). In 2022, I was awarded the CNRS Bronze Medal. Since 2023, I coordinate the ANR collaborative research project (PRC) “DeXCTer”. I obtained my “Habilitation à diriger les recherches” (HDR) in 2024.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Benoît Mahler, 44 y-o, is a CNRS researcher at the Light and Matter Institute (ILM) in Lyon, France, since 2015. A graduate of ESPCI-Paris, he earned his PhD in Materials Chemistry from Université Paris VI in 2009. He was then directly hired by a startup, Nextdot, funded in association with his former laboratory, the LPEM (ESPCI-Paris). He later joined the University of Toronto as a postdoctoral fellow, before being recruited at the CNRS (Section 17/ex15). His research focuses on the colloidal synthesis of semiconductor nanostructures and heterostructures (quantum dots, nanoplatelets), the growth of two-dimensional materials (notably transition metal dichalcogenides), and their applications in light conversion – from photoluminescence to scintillation. He has co-authored over 70 publications and 5 patents, and has supervised 9 PhD students and 2 postdocs to date.
Enhanced turn-ON fluorescence photoswitching using negative photochromic compound (EON)
Supervisor: Céline FIORINI-DEBUISSCHERT | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 EDOM-3-EON
Contact: celine.fiorini@cea.frAbstract: This project aims to develop a new class of light-responsive supramolecular fluorescence photoswitching systems entirely triggered by visible light and enabling reversible fluorescence modulation with high contrast. By combining negative photochromic molecular units and fluorophores, we expect both turn-on fluorescence properties and giant amplification of the fluorescence photoswitching. The project consists in creating highly efficient molecular assemblies responding collectively to light. The PhD fellow must have a strong background photophysics/optics and willing to work at the physics/chemistry interface in SPEC/LEPO (France) and Prof. Abe’s laboratory (Japan), in close collaboration with the PPSM laboratory (France), which brings complementary expertise. The project will advance fundamental understanding of energy transfer processes and provide versatile light-controlled materials for applications in nanophotonics, bioimaging, and optical devices.
Project Objectives
The project aims to design and develop visible-light-responsive supramolecular fluorescence photoswitching systems with high contrast and fast response. The main objectives are: • Construction of supramolecular assemblies enabling collective and reversible fluorescence modulation. • Investigation of optical and photophysical properties, including photochromism, fluorescence turn-on behavior, switching contrast, speed, and amplification, using advanced spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. • Design and synthesis of optimized photochromic and fluorescent molecular building blocks. • Establishment of structure–property relationships to understand and control the mechanisms governing energy transfer and photoswitching. • Exploration of potential applications in bioimaging, nanophotonics, and optical devices.
Host Laboratory: SPEC 3i Host Laboratory: Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan) (JAPAN)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr Céline Fiorini-Debuisschert is Research Director in the LEPO group of SPEC (CEA, CNRS UMR 3680, Univ. Paris-Saclay). After a PhD devoted to light-induced second harmonic generation in molecular materials, she has been working as a scientist in CEA. She has been involved in different topics from photochromism, molecular self-organisation, photoinduced ordering and mass transport to organic nanophotonics and plasmonics. Her main interest lies in understanding and controlling the photonic processes of organic and/or metallic nano-objects. To this aim, she has been developing different set-ups combining inverted microscopy and local probes for the simultaneous (or correlated) characterization of the morphology and optical properties of single nano-objects, from frequency conversion to time-resolved multiphoton luminescence spectroscopy.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Professor Jiro Abe is a leading researcher at Aoyama Gakuin University (Japan). He is internationally recognized for pioneering the field of negative photochromism and for developing fast and efficient light-activated molecular switches. His research focuses on the design, synthesis, and photochemical characterization of advanced photochromic units, which exhibit ultrafast and reversible structural transformations under visible light. He combines molecular design with state-of-the-art photophysical studies to elucidate excited-state dynamics and switching pathways. Several of his photochromic systems have demonstrated exceptional stability and performance, establishing him as a major international reference in light-controlled molecular materials.
Harnessing Energy Light with hybrid Oxovanadate Systems: from electron transfer to molecular motions (HELIOS)
Supervisor: Emmanuel ALLARD | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 2MIB-2-HELI
Contact: emmanuel.allard@uvsq.frAbstract: The aim of this project is to design a new class of organic-inorganic hybrids based on photosensitizer-donor (porphyrin/ BODIPY) and polyoxovanadates (POVs) linked covalently, and to study the processes of photo-induced electron transfer and accumulation of at least two charges. In addition, this project aims to exploit these properties to design light-activated molecular machines based on [3]-rotaxane. To achieve this goal, the project will utilize the association properties of POVs with cyclodextrins, which are directly influenced by the redox state of the POV. When non-reduced, the POV remains fully encapsulated and inactive. However, photo-reduction and accumulation of charge on the POV will induce a shift of the macrocycle along the rotaxane axis, exposing the POV and activating it. Since the selected POV for our [3]-rotaxane molecular machine possesses biological and catalytic properties, the resulting systems are expected to result in multifunctional devices activated by light.
Project Objectives
This project aims to firstly design a new class of organic-inorganic hybrids based on photosensitizer-donor and POVs entities linked covalently and to study the processes of photo-induced electron transfer and charge accumulation within these hybrids. Then these hybrids, having a dumbbell-like shape, will be used to develop the first light-responsive molecular machines built from a polymetallic unit. The functioning of such [3]-rotaxane hybrids will be based on the association dynamics of hybrid POVs with cyclodextrins, which are intrinsically linked to the POV's redox state. In its oxidized form, the POV will remain fully encapsulated and inactive. Upon photo-reduction, however, the macrocycle will shift along the rotaxane axis, exposing the POV to its surroundings and triggering its activation.
Host Laboratory: Institut Lavoisier de Versailles - ILV 3i Host Laboratory: Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d'Orsay - ISMO, Université Paris-Saclay (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Emmanuel Allard is an associate professor (MCF). he obtained his HDR in 2017 and has supervised 4 PhD students (one as director and 3 as co-director). He has a strong expertise in the field of fullerene chemistry, particularly in the functionalization of fullerene derivatives using click chemistry. In addition, he has recently focused his work on the functionalization of the BODIPY core and on the construction of BODIPY- C60 conjugates by post-functionalization of clickable fullerene derivatives, for applications related to solar energy conversion. He has been involved in several projects (regional - Labex Charm3at) as coordinator and partner, dedicated to the immobilization of photo- and/or electro-active systems on surfaces. In addition, he is also coordinator of the Master 1 in Chemistry at Versailles. To date, Emmanuel ALLARD is the author or co-author of 31 publications.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Dr. Minh-Huong Ha-Thi obtained her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris-Saclay in 2007, followed by postdoctoral research at CEA Saclay, France, investigating the photophysics of fluorescent sensors. She then joined Université Paris-Saclay as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Institute de Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay. She investigates light-induced processes in molecular and hybrid systems with applications in solar energy conversion, using a wide range of advanced time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. She has co-supervised 9 Ph.D. students and 5 postdoctoral researchers, has co-authored 54 peer-reviewed international publications, and has an h-index of 23. She has coordinated/participated in several national and international collaborative projects and maintains strong national/international networks.
High speed Live cell imaging from microscopy to nanoscopy thanks to event-based detection. (HighspeedSMLM)
Supervisor: Sandrine Lévêque-Fort | Employer: Abbélight | 3i dimension: intersectoral ( interdisciplinary) 📥 ABBE-1-HIGH
Contact: sandrine.leveque-fort@universite-paris-saclay.fr; vcaorsi@abbelight.comAbstract: While single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) provides high spatial resolution, the acquisition time needed to localize molecules can limit its ability to capture fast, dynamic events. Yet, biological processes, such as protein trafficking, membrane dynamics, and organelle movement, often occur on timescales exceeding the temporal resolution of SMLM, but is also still challenging for conventional diffraction limited imaging leading to blurred or inaccurate image reconstructions. Event-based cameras widely used to track displacement in industrial applications, has become compatible with fluorescence microscopy thanks to new generation of sensors. This event camera offers a continuous observation of the sample, but only return event following intensity change, for example associated to cell movement. By only monitoring changes, ultimate speed can be reached, but this also open completely new avenues to conceive the optical microscope and nanoscope.
Project Objectives
Event camera based detection will be combined with various implementation of structured excitation to improve spatial resolution down to a factor 2, while pushing the temporal resolution capability. A second step, will be to combine with single molecule localization, where the event based detection not only allow to push further the speed for live samples, but also to permit demodulation of the fluorescence induced by the structured excitation to reach nearly isotropic resolution. Alternative processing with deep learning algorithms will also allow us to push further the needed signal to noise ratio and increase the acquisition speed. Applications : these new optical implementations will be fully characterized before addressing biological questions with close collaborators in biology, to decipher live cell dynamics mechano-sensible mechanisms at the nanoscale which steers cancer cell migration.
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: Abbelight (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Sandrine Lévêque-Fort is a CNRS Researcher Director at ISMO in Paris Saclay University. After a PhD on a new acousto-optic imaging approach (ESPCI), a postdoc at Imperial College, she joined the CNRS to develop new strategies in fluorescence microscopy in particular to bypass the diffraction limit with single molecule localization microscopy(SMLM). She has (co)supervised 15 PhD students. Among them she co-supervised 2 PhD in collaboration with Abbelight, which was created with her former PhD student, Nicolas Bourg. A common lab between ISMO and Abbelight has been created to further develop new avenues in SMLM or live cells. She is co-author of more than 95 scientific articles (2 Nat. Photonics, 5 Nat. comm., Science Advances, ACS Nano, PRL,PNAS..). Her current developments to extend SMLM to live cell imaging are supported by an Advanced ERC research Grant.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Valentina Caorsi is ABBELIGHT's R&D Imaging director, leading a team of 20 professionals in optics, mechanics, and informatics, and coordinating national and international partnership projects (e.g. ANR 3D-SuperES, EIC-Transtion NanoSCAN, MSCA-DN NEXTSCREEN). With a PhD in Physics and >20 years' experience in microscopy, she specialized in advanced fluorescence imaging techniques, project management and product development. Through her intersectoral career (King's College London, Institut Curie, Abbelight), she successfully co-supervised 15 Master, 6 PhD students, and co-supervises 2 ongoing PhD projects (academic-industrial national funding CIFRE, and MSCA-DN).
Investigation and Optimization of InGaN/GaN Nanowire-Based µ-LEDs for High-Resolution and Energy-Efficient Displays (InGaNREED)
Supervisor: Maria Tchernycheva | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EOBE-1-INGA
Contact: maria.tchernycheva@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: µ-LEDs offer high brightness and efficiency, but red emission remains inefficient due to the material mismatch and sidewall damage. This PhD will develop monolithic InGaN/GaN nanowire (NW) µ-LEDs grown by PAMBE using selective-area growth (SAG) to control In incorporation, and compare them with hybrid µ-LEDs by phosphor conversion (blue µ-LED with K₂SiF₆:Mn⁴⁺ red nanophosphor in collaboration with the co-advisor laboratory). Objectives include fabricating tunable NW µ-LEDs, identifying and reducing non-radiative defects, integrating nanophosphors, comparing optical performance, and co-integrating RGB through diameter-dependent In incorporation. In Year 1 SAG and phosphor integration will be optimized and structural/optical characterizations will be performed; in Year 2 red-emitting NW growth, defect mapping, passivation, phosphor integration will be done; in Year 3 device arrays will be tested and EQE for the two types of LEDs will be compared. The expected outcome would be a demonstration of an efficient red NW µ-LEDs and its comarison with more conventional phosphore-converted devices.
Project Objectives
1) Design and fabricate InGaN/GaN nanowire µ-LEDs with tunable emission (from blue to red) via precise In incorporation control using selective-area growth (SAG) and plasma assisted MBE. 2) Identify and mitigate non-radiative defects that limit quantum efficiency in In-rich red InGaN nanowires using InGaN buffer layer and passivation. 3) Elucidate physical mechanisms linking growth conditions, structural defects, and optical efficiency to guide next-generation µ-LED design. 4) Integrate red-emitting K₂SiF₆:Mn⁴⁺ nanophosphors (developed and provided by the PhD co-advisor), synthesized by an eco-friendly microwave-assisted route, ensuring nanoscale homogeneity and high external quantum efficiency. 5) Perform a comparative analysis of direct-emitting red InGaN NW µ-LEDs versus nanophosphor-converted hybrid devices (optical performance, color uniformity, thermal stability). Demonstrate RGB emission. 6) Train the PhD candidate in photonics, material science and transferable skills.
Host Laboratory: C2N 3i Host Laboratory: CSIR - National Institute For Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) (INDIA)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Maria Tchernycheva (b.1979) graduated from École Polytechnique (X98), obtained a PhD in Physics from Université Paris-Sud in 2005 and defended the HDR in 2016. She is now Directrice de Recherche at the Center for Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies (C2N). Her activities focus on the fabrication and testing of novel optoelectronic devices based on semiconductor nanowires (NWs). Notably, she has extensive experience in InGaN NWs PA-MBE growth on Si and in NW LEDs fabrication, aligning well with the PhD scope. She has published more than 120 peer-reviewed articles in international journals. She has supervised 14 PhDs and 6 postdocs and has been actively involved in major collaborative projects such as H2020 STREP “Nano-Tandem”, and ITNs “NanoEmbrace” and “INDEED”, as well as the ERC “Nano Harvest” project. She is also involved in research evaluation and management.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Subrata Das, PhD (b. 1981) is a senior scientist in the Materials Science and Technology Division of CSIR-NIIST in Thiruvarantpuram, India. He has got his PhD in Applied Physics in 2010 from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India. He has a strong expertise in the synthesis, characterization and device integration of luminescent powders (both bulk and nanoparticles) and composites for lighting and display applications. He is in charge of the characterization center which include the Horiba spectrofluorimeter and the CCD spectrometers, important for this PhD project. He has been advisor for 2 postdocs and 6 PhD students.
Light-induced Ultrafast dynamics in Metalloporphyrins: investigating Ionic and Neutral Species with Coincidence detection and X-ray probes (LUMINeSCe)
Supervisor: Gildas Goldsztejn | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EDOM-4-LUMIN
Contact: gildas.goldsztejn@cnrs.frAbstract: This project aims to investigate the ultrafast photophysics of metalloporphyrins and metallophthalocyanines in the gas phase through femtosecond pump (UV/Vis)–probe (XUV/X-ray) spectroscopy on both neutral and ionic species. The goal is to unravel the mechanisms underlying their roles in photosynthesis and their function as photosensitizers. The approach combines the complementary expertise of the ISMO and DESY groups: ISMO recently developed a kHz-repetition laser-desorption setup for neutral molecular beams coupled to a coincidence electron–ion spectrometer, while the DESY group has extensive experience in gas-phase spectroscopy of biomolecular ions by interfacing electrospray-ionisation (ESI) tandem mass-spectrometers to advanced light sources. In particular, the element-specific probing with XUV/X-ray light will enable tracking site-resolved ultrafast dynamics. By bridging neutral and ionic molecular species, the project connects model systems to biologically relevant molecules.
Project Objectives
1) Identify and characterize ultrafast relaxation pathways (metal–ligand charge transfer, intersystem crossing) in selected metalloporphyrins/phthalocyanines with different metal centers. 2) Compare neutral and ionic species to determine how the oxidation state of the metals affects charge dynamics and light absorption properties. 3) Extend to high-mass biomolecular ions using ESI, enabling benchmark gas-phase spectroscopy of larger, biologically relevant molecules (e.g., metalloproteins). 4)Perform preliminary static electronic structure characterization at synchrotron facilities (e.g., SOLEIL, PETRA III) and complementary time-resolved UV–Vis/IR studies using femtosecond lasers at ISMO. 5) Achieve site-specific insight with XUV/X-ray probes (HHG/XFEL), possibly integrating coincidence detection to correlate electronic dynamics with fragmentation pathways.
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: DESY, Hambourg (GERMANY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr. Gildas Goldsztejn is a specialist in the study of inner/core-shell excited states of simple to bio-relevant molecular systems, by means of electron spectroscopy. He is a leading expert on gas-phase studies of neutral biomolecules such as metalloporphyrins or metallophthalocyanines. He has developed a dedicated instrument to gently evaporate them and perform coincidence electrons/ions measurements using ultrafast light sources at ultrahigh repetition rates. Furthermore, he also developed a large number of theoretical tools to disentangle the numerous excitations/relaxations pathways coexisting after X-ray photoabsorption.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Dr. Sadia Bari is a researcher at DESY and a professor at the University of Groningen specializing in spectroscopy and X-ray science. She pioneered the integration of custom-built ESI tandem mass spectrometers with advanced light sources such as synchrotrons and free-electron lasers (FELs). Her work aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms that govern the structure-function relationships of biomolecules. She has extensive experience in action spectroscopy, pump–probe experiments, and data analysis using advanced computational methods. Since 2016, Bari has led an independent research group at DESY and has supervised 8 doctoral students (one current), several undergraduates and mentored 4 postdocs. Bari actively contributes to international collaborations and user projects, advancing innovative analytical methods in photon science.
New ligands for metallic complexes devoted to infrared photocatalysis and luminescent solar concentrators (LUMINO)
Supervisor: Jean-Christophe CINTRAT | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 2MIB-3-LUMI
Contact: jean-christophe.cintrat@cea.frAbstract: Use of molecules absorbing visible light has aroused great interest in different fields such as the development of photocatalysts or new materials for energy conversion or optoelectronic. We wish to develop new efficient "fluorophores" for two main applications: photocatalysis and luminescent solar concentrators (LSC). Concerning photocatalysis, we will focus on red light since it allows deeper penetration in reaction media, milder reaction conditions owing to its low energy emission leading to higher tolerance to functional groups, without detrimental effects. Concerning fluorophores for LSC, we will focus on fluorescence quantum yield and Stokes shift which, together with the match between emission spectrum and electronic band-gap of the PV cell, govern the efficiency. Fluorophores will be based on ruthenium or osmium complexes of benzobisthiazoles, benzobisoxazoles and benzobisimidazoles acceptor core and quinoxalines core (donor-acceptor-donor structures) and related structures.
Project Objectives
Design, synthesize and optimise novel ligands for photocatalysis and luminescent applications. Create a library (via HTiPS), characterize structures and photophysics, and select best performers. Form metal complexes, evaluate photocatalytic activity (e.g. H₂ evolution, CO₂ reduction, energy transfer) and correlate structure-function using advanced spectroscopy/electrochemistry/X-ray data. Iteratively refine ligands to enhance light harvesting, excited-state lifetimes and stability. Integrate the most efficient luminophores into polymer matrices to fabricate luminescent solar concentrators, optimise device architecture, quantify efficiencies vs models, and redesign chromophores to reduce reabsorption losses.
Host Laboratory: Département Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé - DMTS - UMR 0496 3i Host Laboratory: University of Pisa (ITALY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Jean-Christophe CINTRAT, Ph.D., HDR is a research director at Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives and serves as head of the “Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry” at CEA/Paris Saclay as well as CSO of the High Throughput Screening platform of Paris Saclay (C@PS). His main fields of expertise are focused on the development of new methodologies in organic/organometallic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and the synthesis of complex molecules (organic and metallic complexes). He recently engaged in the development of photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy as well as photocatalysis with Eugénie Romero. One of our compounds, Retro-2.1, has been included in the Pandemic Response Box supplied by Medicines for Malaria Venture and Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative He authored more than 90 articles, 12 patents (2 to FindImmune (https://www.findimmune.com/))
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Andrea Pucci is professor of Industrial Chemistry at the Dept of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa (UNIPI). His interests lie in the field of polymer science, focusing on the design and characterization of polymeric systems with functional properties for advanced applications such as chromogenic systems responsive to external stimuli, energy-related technologie (LSC and ion-exchange membranes for electrolysis and fuel cells). Pr. Pucci is member of the board of the PhD program in Chemical Sciences, president of both the Patent Technical Commission and the BSc and MSc Degree Programs in Industrial Chemistry at UNIPI. He has served as PI for numerous research and industrial projects including H2020 projects in the areas of materials science. He co-authored of over 200 publications (more than 6,200 citations) and an H-index of 40 (Scopus), 5 book chapters and 5 patents.
Laminated Ultra-thin Perovskite Films for Photovoltaic Applications (LUMIPRESS)
Supervisor: Emmanuelle DELEPORTE | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 EDOM-5-LUMIP
Contact: Emmanuelle.Deleporte@ens-paris-saclay.frAbstract: LUMIPRESS focuses on producing highly crystalline lead-free halide perovskite films that are ultra-thin, smooth, and fully compatible with device fabrication. Using lamination techniques involving hot-pressing methods, the project enables precise control of film crystallinity to fabricate high-performance photovoltaic devices. The PhD student will synthesize the films, morphologically and structurally characterize them and investigate the fundamental properties of these materials through optical spectroscopy, including light absorption and emission, carrier dynamics, excitonic effects, electron–phonon coupling. The films will be introduced in photovoltaic devices to explore their ability in obtaining good performances. The project combines materials synthesis, photophysics, and device engineering, providing a unique platform to explore and optimize optoelectronic properties.
Project Objectives
1/ Develop lead-free, ultra-thin, smooth, and pinhole-free highly crystalline perovskite films with roughness below 50 nm and thickness controllable between 150 and 500 nm, fully compatible with ultra-thin photovoltaic device fabrication. 2/ Investigate fundamental optoelectronic properties, including quantitative assessment of the absorption coefficient as a function of wavelength to reveal phonon-related or electronic effects (indirect bandgap, phonon-induced Urbach tails, excitonic resonances) and their temperature dependence using a cryostat. 3/ Design and fabricate p- and n-type half photovoltaic cells, with separate perovskite layers and selective charge extraction layers, compatible with lamination for full device assembly. 4/ Integrate high-quality films into photovoltaic devices and assess performance, bridging materials synthesis, photophysics, and device engineering.
Host Laboratory: LuMIn 3i Host Laboratory: CNRS / Institut Photovoltaïque d'Ile de France, UMR IPVF 9006, Ecole Polytechnique Institut Polytechnique de Paris, PSL Chimie ParisTech, IPVF SAS (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Prof. Emmanuelle Deleporte is a full professor at ENS Paris-Saclay, where she founded her research team on the synthesis and optical properties of hybrid lead halide perovskites in 2004. Her interdisciplinary group of physicists and chemists studies various perovskites made by solution processes—3D, 2D, hybrid, inorganic—ranging from crystals to thin films and nanoparticles, for photovoltaics and light-emitting devices. E. Deleporte's main research topics include both perovskite crystallization and physical effects such as excitonic effects, carrier relaxation, energy and charge transfer, light–matter interaction, in particular in 2D perovskites. She has published over 120 papers, served as guest editor for several special issues on halide perovskites, and leads the CNRS-supported national Think Tank “Halide Perovskites.”
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Dr. Géraud Delport is a physicist and researcher at the Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France (IPVF, UMR with École Polytechnique) on the Palaiseau campus. His work focuses on the optical and electronic properties of lead-free and gold-based perovskites, combining spectroscopy and photonic engineering. He studies charge–phonon coupling and defect dynamics to understand and control their impact on optoelectronic performance. His goal is to develop stable, efficient materials for photovoltaic and light emission applications.
Control of sleep-wake rhythms in naturalistic light conditions (NaturalLight)
Supervisor: François ROUYER | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 BIOS-2-NATU
Contact: francois.rouyer@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: Light and the circadian clock have a major impact on sleep-wake patterns. How sleep-wake behavior adapts to daily and seasonal changes in the solar light spectrum has consequences for a wide range of brain functions. However, little is known about the contribution of different photoreceptive molecules to the sleep-wake profile. Moreover, the light conditions used to analyze sleep-wake rhythms in the laboratory are very different from natural conditions. The PhD project aims to decipher the mechanisms by which light and temperature inputs shape the sleep-wake profile of fruit flies in naturalistic conditions. It will use a multi-wavelength LED lighting system reproducing natural light and temperature cycles, and a series of genetic backgrounds affecting light-input pathways, to understand how the different photoreceptors define the sleep-wake profile through clock-dependent and clock-independent mechanisms. A key part of the project will be to decipher the photoreceptive circuits that allow clockless flies to display normal sleep-wake rhythms in these naturalistic conditions.
Project Objectives
1: Define the contribution of the different wavelengths and photoreceptors to the sleep-wake profile in naturalistic conditions. Wild type flies and photoreceptive mutants will be tested in the different seasonal conditions (full light spectrum or depleted for specific wavelengths, presence or absence of temperature cycles) to reveal the key components that define bring light information to the circadian clock and sleep circuits. How the circadian oscillator is regulated by these conditions wil be investigated. 2: Identify the cellular and molecular pathways that generate sleep-wake rhythms in the absence of a clock in naturalistic conditions. Preliminary data show that clockless flies behave similarly to wild type flies in naturalistic conditions, even in the absence of temperature cycling). Photoreceptive mutants will be tested in a clockless background and neuronal circuits will be investigated to decipher the clock-independent pathways by which light can build a sleep-wake cycle.
Host Laboratory: Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay 3i Host Laboratory: Institute of Neuro and Behavioral Biology, University of Münster (GERMANY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: François Rouyer did a PhD in human genetics (Université PM Curie/Institut Pasteur, Paris) and started working on circadian rhythms as a postdoc with Michael Rosbash (Brandeis University, USA). He started his own group at Institut Alfred Fessard in Gif-sur-Yvette then Institut des neurosciences Paris-Saclay (NeuroPSI) in Saclay. He is studying the Drosophila brain circadian clock at the cellular and molecular levels and is particularly interested in the mechanisms of circadian synchronization by light, with a focus on rhodopsin-based visual system-mediated photoreception (Alejevski, Nat Commun 2019; Xiao, Nature 2023), and the interactions between light and the clock neuron network that shape sleep/wake rhythms in different environmental conditions [Chatterjee, Curr Biol 2018; Chatterjee, Sci Adv 2025). Francois Rouyer is directeur de recherche at Inserm and is the director of NeuroPSI.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Ralf Stanewsly did his PhD in Drosophila neurogenetics at University of Cologne. He then moved for a Postdoc with Jeff Hall (Brandeis University, USA) to study the fly circadian clock. He identified Cryptochrome as a key protein acting in neurons to mediate light entrainment of the circadian clock independently of the visual system. He then joined U. Regensburg before starting his own group at Queen Mary U. and UCL in London. In addition to deciphering the Cryptochrome photoreceptive pathway, he focuses his work on temperature compensation and temperature entrainment of the circadian clock. He discovered several key components and mechanisms that are involved in the synchronization of the brain and peripheral circadian oscillators by temperature. He is now a Professor at the University of Münster.
Scalable fabrication of High Performance Spin-Photon Interfaces (OPTICAL-SPINS)
Supervisor: Aristide LEMAITRE | Employer: Quandela | 3i dimension: intersectoral 📥 QUAN-1-OPTI
Contact: aristide.lemaitre@universite-paris-saclay.fr; sebastien.boissier@quandela.comAbstract: The OPTICAL Spin-Photon-INterfaceS (OPTICAL-SPINS) PhD project aims to advance large-scale photonic quantum computing by improving single-photon sources based on charged quantum dots embedded in micropillar cavities. These sources are vital for quantum technologies due to their brightness, purity, and indistinguishability. A key focus will be on controlling the spin properties of trapped carriers (electrons or holes) in quantum dots, which are essential for achieving long coherence times and enabling fault-tolerant spin-optical quantum computing. The work will address fabrication imperfections, noise mitigation, and yield limitations. In collaboration with Quandela's device processing team, the candidate will optimize fabrication techniques, explore new device architectures, and develop scalable integration methods for photonic integrated circuits.
Project Objectives
The central aim of this thesis is to lay the groundwork for scaling up the fabrication of single-photon sources, which are essential for advancing large-scale quantum computing. This involves a comprehensive, end-to-end analysis of the fabrication process to identify and address bottlenecks that hinder performance, yield, or production rate. The research will delve into heterostructure design to improve charge control in quantum dots, explore innovative optical cavity architectures to enhance photon extraction, and refine electrical biasing techniques to mitigate various noise sources affecting quantum dot stability. Additionally, the thesis will investigate the integration of multiple micropillar sources with on-chip photonic circuits, enabling scalable quantum photonic systems.
Host Laboratory: Modality 1 3i Host Laboratory: Quandela (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Aristide Lemaître is a senior CNRS research director at the Centre de Nanosciences et de Nanotechnologies (C2N), specializing in the epitaxial growth of III-V semiconductor heterostructures for applications in quantum optics and photonics. His work has enabled breakthroughs in single-photon sources, polaritonic devices, and spintronic materials, contributing to projects like the quantum startup Quandela. With over 360 publications, he is recognised for advancing high-precision nanofabrication and was awarded the CNRS Silver Medal in 2024 for his scientific achievements.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Sebastien Boissier is a physicist specializing in the science and engineering of quantum emitters. He earned his PhD from Imperial College London in 2019, where he focused on coupling quantum emitters to integrated photonic structures. Since joining Quandela in 2020, he has led efforts to optimize and industrialize the production of quantum light sources. He currently heads the technological division of R&D, driving the development of high-performance sources to enable scalable photonic quantum computing.
Bidirectional opto-mapping of memory and motor circuits with dual color imaging and closed-loop stimulation in Drosophila larva (OPTO-NEURO-MAP)
Supervisor: Claire ESCHBACH | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 BIOS-3-OPTO
Contact: claire.eschbach@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project investigates how central brain circuits and motor circuits interact to shape learning, memory, and action in Drosophila larvae. Using dual-color imaging, SLM and closed-loop photo-stimulation, we will simultaneously record and manipulate identified neurons in the memory center (mushroom body) and in motor pathways with high spatial and temporal precision. Aim 1 quantifies synchronization between memory neurons and motoneurons during ongoing activity. Aim 2 tests how motor output feeds back to influence central brain processing using patterned optogenetic activation of motoneurons. Aim 3 examines how descending signals from the brain modulate motor activity, including real-time closed-loop stimulation with a two-photon system equipped with an acousto-optic deflector. The project will produce a functional dataset linking central processing and motor dynamics, enabling computational models of sensorimotor integration.
Project Objectives
Our goal is to use advanced optics to characterize interactions between the learning and memory center and the motor system in Drosophila larva, and to deliver a functional dataset for computational modeling. Aim 1: Determine synchronicity between memory and motor neurons. We will (1.1) monitor calcium dynamics in neurons labeled with distinct fluorescent sensors, (1.2) manipulate neuro-modulation pharmacologically, and (1.3) develop analysis tools to quantify synchronization between brain and motor activity. Aim 2: Test ascending motor-to-central brain influences. We will photoactivate motoneurons with spatial light modulation to mimic motor programs (2.1), and assess how these signals are encoded in the memory center (2.2). Aim 3: Test descending brain-to-motor effects. We will activate memory neurons while monitoring fictive locomotion (3.1), and use closed-loop optogenetics on a Karthala two-photon microscope to determine how descending signals modulate ongoing turns (3.2)
Host Laboratory: Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay UMR9197 3i Host Laboratory: University of Saint-Andrews (UNITED KINGDOM)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Claire Eschbach completed her undergraduate studies in experimental psychology in Strasbourg and in neuroscience in Toulouse before pursuing a PhD in neurobiology at the University of Würzburg (Germany) with Prof. Bertram Gerber, where she focused on learning and olfactory processing in Drosophila melanogaster. She then conducted postdoctoral research in the lab of Marta Zlatic, first at the HHMI Janelia Research Campus (USA) and later at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge (UK). Since September 2022, she has been an Assistant Professor at Université Paris-Saclay and a group leader at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI), where she leads the Recurrent Circuits, Learning and Memory team as a 2023 ATIP-Avenir fellow.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: After his undergraduate degree in bioengineering at the University of Wageningen, he moved to the UK for graduate studies with Daniel St Johnston at the Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge. He started working on motor systems during his PhD in Matthias Landgraf’s lab in the department of Zoology, followed by postdocs with Albert Cardona and Misha Ahrens, both at the HHMI Janelia Research Campus, USA. He is currently a Reader (Associate Professor equivalent) in Neuroscience affiliated with the School of Psychology and Neuroscience and Centre for Biophotonics at the University of St Andrews, UK.
Optical SourcEs in silicon photonics: the Rare-earth approach (OSER)
Supervisor: Eric CASSAN | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EOBE-2-OSER
Contact: eric.cassan@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: The research proposal is focused on the investigation of a specific class of light sources exploiting rare earth materials directly integrated in hybrid optical silicon (nitride) waveguides for the realization of strongly miniaturized optical amplifiers and lasers on a chip. The approach to be developed is based on an ambition to push the miniaturisation of fibre optical amplifiers and lasers to the extreme with a view to their total integration in silicon photonics, which will lead to a dramatic reduction in the light/matter interaction lengths and an increase of at least three orders of magnitude in the effective doping levels of the materials. Previous works from the collaborators (Université Paris-Saclay/C2N and Aalto University/Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering) have demonstrated the possible integration of Erbium-doped Al2O3 layer stacks with integrated silicin nitride waveguides. This approach will be broadly extended to account for new possibilities.
Project Objectives
• Fabrication of ultra-low loss Si3N4 waveguides (<< 1dB/cm) • Demonstration of the optical gain of active Si3N4 waveguides coated with active layers doped with rare-earth materials • Innovative resonators design for the realization of integrated lasers in silicon photonics • Demonstration of rare-earth doped active waveguide lasers • Development of on-chip applications
Host Laboratory: C2N 3i Host Laboratory: Aalto University (FINLAND)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Researcher in silicon photonics, photonics integration, active and passive structures and components. A special focus on integrated light sources and nonlinear photonics has been made for a couple of years Eric Cassan has supervised/co-supervised more than 20 PhD projects and been involved in more than 25 funded French and European project in the last 20 years. His international network extends from Canada (NRC) and MIT/USA groups to European partners (Trento, Southampton, etc). He has already supervised 3 joint PhD theses (“Cotutelles de thèses”), among which one was with Pr. Zhipei Sun.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Zhipei Sun has developed on his side links with a large set of European and international group. As a full professor at Aalto university, he has supervised many PhD projects in the recent years. A map of his international network can be seen here: https://research.aalto.fi/en/persons/zhipei-sun/network-map/
Optical and Spectroscopic Properties of Entropy-Stabilized Pyrochlore and Garnet Oxides (OSPEPO)
Supervisor: David BERARDAN | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 2MIB-1-OSPE
Contact: david.berardan@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project, which is part of a collaboration between Univ. Paris Saclay and Ewha Univ. in Seoul, Korea, aims at designing new high-entropy oxide materials for optical applications. Involving an interdisciplinary team gathering materials chemists and physicists, it will span from the design of new composition specifically built to improved the understanding of the links between the complex compositions of high-entropy oxides, their local disorder and their spectroscopic and optical properties, towards the optimization of the materials performances.
Project Objectives
The main goal of the project is to study the optical and spectroscopic properties (including typically photoluminescence, Raman, infrared and UV-visible spectroscopy) of entropy-stabilised oxides compounds belonging to the pyrochlore RE2M2O7 (RE = rare earth, M = equimolar mixture of cations) or garnet RE3A2B3O12 (RE = rare earth, A and B = equimolar mixture of cations) families, whose parent 'single-cation' compounds are of significant interest for many optical or photonic applications. The objective of this study is to understand the link(s) between complex chemical composition (and its associated local structural disorder) and the optical and spectroscopic properties, in order to develop new compounds with improved and finely tuneable properties.
Host Laboratory: ICMMO 3i Host Laboratory: Ewha Womans University (SOUTH KOREA)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr David Berardan has been recruited in ICMMO in 2007 with research activities mainly focused on the development and optimization of new functional materials (thermoelectrics, superconductors, magnetic materials, ionic conductors, dielectrics …), including intermetallics, oxides, oxychalcogenides or chalcogenides, and he has a thorough experience in the synthesis and characterizations of functional materials. His research activities have led to more than 85 papers and 2 patents (total citations count >6500). He has already been the scientific coordinator of several French or European projects and supervised more than 10 PhD students. Since 2016, he belongs to the pioneers of the field of high-entropy oxides, with a worldwide recognized research activity.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Suyeon Cho completed her Ph.D. in a double-degree program between Seoul National University and the University of Paris-Sud in chemistry in 2011 and in physics in 2012. She was a postdoctoral researcher at the ANTARES beamline of the Synchrotron Soleil in France from 2013 to 2014. Then she joined the Center for Integrated Nanoscience and Physics at Sungkyunkwan University from 2014 to 2017 as a postdoctoral researcher. She became an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Ewha Women's University in 2017. She has served as an associate professor since 2022. She has also worked as an associate editor at ACS Applied Electronic Materials since 2024.
Pathways to Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Interstellar Space (PAHIS)
Supervisor: Ugo JACOVELLA | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EDOM-6-PAHI
Contact: ugo.jacovella@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This PhD project investigates how small aromatic molecules form in the interstellar medium, key precursors to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It focuses on the C5H7+ ion, an intermediate leading to the five-membered ring hydrocarbon C5H6, a crucial missing link in indene and related PAHs. The candidate will study ion–molecule reactions of small hydrocarbon cations using the iSELECTION setup at ISMO, combining ion mobility, mass spectrometry, kinetic measurements, and laser spectroscopy. Complementary experiments will be conducted in Prague, where reaction products can be investigated by ion mobility directly within the trap. Results will be fed into astrochemical models to evaluate their relevance in space. By linking laboratory experiments with astrochemical modeling, this interdisciplinary project bridges molecular physics, kinetics, spectroscopy, and astronomy, advancing our understanding of the formation and evolution of carbon-based molecules in the interstellar medium.
Project Objectives
The key objectives of the PhD project Pathways to Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Interstellar Space (PAHIS) are : Investigate how the first aromatic molecules form from simple hydrocarbons under interstellar conditions Identify and characterize the key ion–molecule reactions leading to crucial intermediates Use advanced ion mobility, mass spectrometry, and spectroscopy in France and the Czech Republic to study reaction mechanisms and molecular structures Integrate experimental results into astrochemical models to assess the formation and evolution of carbonaceous molecules in space Bridge laboratory studies with astronomical observations to improve understanding of the origins and growth of interstellar carbon-based matter
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry (CZECH REPUBLIC)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Ugo Jacovella is Chargé de Recherche at CNRS (ISMO, Université Paris-Saclay), specializing in molecular physics and astrochemistry. He completed his PhD at ETH Zurich under the supervision of Frédéric Merkt on spectroscopy of hydrocarbon cations, followed by a postdoc at the University of Melbourne in the group of Evan Bieske on ion trapping and mobility. His work focuses on the spectroscopy and reactivity of ions relevant to the interstellar medium. He develops advanced experimental setups combining ion mobility, mass spectrometry, and laser spectroscopy to characterize molecular structures and reaction mechanisms. His research bridges laboratory studies and astronomical observations, aiming to identify carriers of diffuse interstellar bands and understand the chemical evolution of carbon in space.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Juraj Jašík is a researcher in the Department of Chemistry of Ions in Gaseous Phase at the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, in Prague. He has been a long-standing collaborator of Dieter Gerlich and continues to work closely with Jana Roithová, with whom he was previously a scientist at Charles University. His research focuses on the spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of ions, particularly through the use of cryogenic ion traps. His main interests include infrared dissociation spectroscopy of mass-selected ions, studies of molecular dications, and investigations of ion–molecule reaction dynamics. Currently, he is developing new techniques to perform ion mobility spectrometry directly within ion traps.
Particle simulation of RF plasma for TCO deposition (PICTO)
Supervisor: Tiberiu MINEA | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EDOM-7-PICT
Contact: tiberiu.minea@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: Transparent Conductive Oxides (TCOs) are fully present in our day-to-day lives. The use of screens, photovoltaic panels, or smart windows is experiencing continuous growth, while the supply of rare earths is limited. The plasma radiofrequency (RF) magnetron has been recently improved, enabling it to cover large-area substrates with very low-resistance aluminum zinc oxide (AZO) thin layers. AZO is a sustainable and emerging optical conductive material among TCOs. The thesis project aims to develop a numerical model capable of simulating the RF plasma behavior in magnetrons for the particular situation of AZO deposition. After model development at Saclay, validation will be performed by direct comparison with experimental results at the Technical University of Denmark. Finally, scaling up the system could be simulated, helping the industrial transfer of this technology.
Project Objectives
* Develop a particle-in-cell radiofrequency model for a novel magnetorn plasma with additional electrode * Validation of the model by direct comparison to exprimental results * Sutdy via numerical simulation the scaling up of the processes in view of industrial transfer
Host Laboratory: LPGP 3i Host Laboratory: Technical University of Denmark (DTU) (DENMARK)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr Tiberiu Minea is an internationally recognized expert in plasma physics (modeling, diagnostics, plasma processing…). In addition to 150+ published papers, 300+ conference communications, 5 physics books as author/contributor, 16 patents, and 20+ PhD thesis advisory roles, he has successfully led numerous public/private research contracts (e.g., F4E, Euratom, BPIFrance, etc.). He was the President of the F2S - French Federation of Scientific Societies (including the Physics, Optics, Electronics, and Vacuum Societies) from 2016 to 2019. He served as deputy president of F2S between 2019 and 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, currently holding the position of treasurer. He has over twenty years of experience as a member of the board of the French Vacuum Societ (SFV).
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Prof. Dr. E. Stamate is a full professor at the Technical University of Denmark and received his docent degree in 2024. He holds two Ph. D.s, one in engineering, defended in 2001 at Nagoya University, Japan, and a second in Physics, defended in 1998 at the University of Iaşi, Romania. He has published 85 peer-reviewed articles, holds two international patents, and has presented over 30 invited lectures at international conferences. He supervised 10 Ph.D. theses and conducted as project manager 4 important research projects (with a budget > 1 M€). He was awarded the European Physical Society's "Plasma Physics Innovation Prize" in 2012. He has served as Editor for six journals and as a reviewer at the European Commission, as well as for over twenty international scientific journals.
PLasmonic Ultra-fast Tunneling Optoelectronics (PLUTO)
Supervisor: Eric LE MOAL | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 EDOM-8-PLUT
Contact: eric.le-moal@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: Integrating plasmonics into nanodevices requires electrically driven nanosources. Tunnel junctions enable electrons to excite plasmons, creating fast, compact light sources. Despite these highly desirable features, their potential and scope is still underexploited in particular due to low efficiencies. The emission rate of plasmon sources is limited by low junction currents. Therefore we aim to study molecular-scale plasmonic tunneling junctions of the form of metal–molecule–metal junctions with tunable barriers enabling nonlinear emission effects such as non-classical emission statistics (bunching), intermittent emissions (flickering), overbias emissions, and unexplained spatial correlations between distant emission points. A molecular approach in this context is complementary to widely explored metal oxide barriers because by changing the molecular structure, we can control the tunneling barrier shape, control the tunneling mechanism, and dielectric properties of the junctions.
Project Objectives
Our objectives: 1) understand the underlying mechanisms of the recently discovered nonlinear effects of plasmon excitation and 2) explore their temporal dynamics so as to control the dynamic and nonlinear properties of these plasmon sources through the chemical structure of the junction molecules. Using our novel scanning-probe nano-optics approach in conjunction with an approach involving large-area molecular tunneling junctions, we are in a position to bridge the gap between devices (in the Netherlands) and molecular-scale nano-optics (in France). Through molecular design, we can tune transport mechanisms and reach high tunneling rates where non-linear effects are important; this high current regime is difficult to reach with conventional metal oxide junctions. This approach should yield bright plasmon sources whose photon emission statistics we will study and single molecular devices which have potential as single photon sources.
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: University of Twente, Enschede, NL (NETHERLANDS)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Eric Le Moal (age 45) is CNRS researcher at the Institute of Molecular Sciences of Orsay (ISMO). He has been in the Nanophysics@Surfaces group since 2011, where he leads the Excitonics research axis. He obtained his doctorate in physics from Sorbonne Université UPMC in 2007, and was a postdoc at the University of Bonn (Humboldt Fellow) and at the Fresnel Institute in Marseille. His work focuses on the STM-induced luminescence (STML) of plasmonic nanostructures, organic molecules and 2D semiconductors. He has expertise in plasmonics, excitonics and in instrumental development of optical microscopy. He has been the PI and co-PI of two national (ANR) projects on STML of organic molecules and van der Waals heterostructures, respectively. He has supervised or co-supervised 5 PhD students and 3 Postdocs. He has co-authored 40 papers and 3 patents. He received the CNRS bronze medal in 2016.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Christian Nijhuis received his Ph.D. from the University of Twente in 2006 (Cum Laude; top 5%) under the supervision of Profs Jurriaan Huskens and David Reinhoudt. In the group of Professor George M. Whitesides at Harvard University, as a postdoctoral research fellow, he developed a platform for measurements of charge transport across layers that are one molecule thick. In 2010, he joined the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore and was promoted to Assoc. Prof. in 2016. In 2020, he moved back to the University of Twente as Full Professor to start a new group, Hybrid Materials for Opto-Electronics. He has supervised, or is supervising, 35 PhD students and 22 postdocs. His research interests cover the areas of molecular electronics, plasmonic tunnel junctions, supramolecular chemistry, nanofabrication and (synchrotron based) surface science.
Polar Spin-Crossover Metal–Organic Frameworks for Multifunctional Photoswitchable Solids (POLARIS)
Supervisor: Antoine TISSOT | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 2MIB-2-POLA
Contact: antoine.tissot@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project aims to develop polar spin-crossover (SCO) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) whose magnetic and dielectric properties can be switched by light. Photoswitchable SCO MOFs will be functionalized with polar guest species to create multifunctional solids where spin state, polarity, and ferroic order are coupled. After synthesizing host–guest systems and determining their structures, their thermo- and photo-induced SCO behavior will be studied using magnetic, spectroscopic, and structural techniques. Ultrafast time-resolved optical, SHG, IR, and photocrystallographic experiments will reveal the dynamics of photo-induced spin-state changes and their impact on ferroelectricity. The project aims to uncover new photo-addressable materials and achieve light-controlled ferroelectric switching.
Project Objectives
The project aims to create multifunctional polar spin-crossover MOFs whose magnetic and dielectric properties can be controlled by light. The first objective is to design and synthesize porous SCO frameworks functionalized with polar guest molecules or polar SCO complexes. The second objective is to characterize their structures and identify the emergence of polar or ferroic order. The third objective is to study their thermo- and photo-induced SCO behavior and determine whether ferroelectricity can be photoswitched. Finally, the project aims to uncover the ultrafast dynamics of spin-state and ferroic switching through time-resolved optical, SHG, IR, and photocrystallographic techniques.
Host Laboratory: ICMMO 3i Host Laboratory: Université de Rennes (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Antoine Tissot is a CNRS research scientist. Following his PhD in coordination chemistry dedicated to the study of molecular spin crossover nanocrystals at University Paris-Sud, he stayed at University of Geneva as a postdoctoral researcher (2011-2014, Marie Curie Fellowship) where he studied photophysics of coordination compounds. He was then recruited as CNRS researcher in the Institut Lavoisier de Versailles in 2014 in the team of Dr. Christian Serre and moved to the newly created Porous Materials Institute of Paris in September 2016, where he worked on the synthesis and functionalization of Metal Organic Frameworks for applications in sensing, catalysis and conductivity. Since 2024, he is working at the Institut de Chimie Moléculaire et des Matériaux d’Orsay (ICMMO, UMR 8182, CNRS-UPSaclay) to develop new switchable compounds for sensing applications and molecular magnetic compounds.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Eric Collet is a professor of physics at the University of Rennes, where he heads the Materials and Light Department of the Rennes Institute of Physics. He is an elected member of the Académia Europaea and holds a chair in fundamental research at the Institut Universitaire de France. He co-directs the international research laboratory ‘Dynamical Control of Materials’ (IRL 2015), funded by the CNRS, the University of Rennes and the University of Tokyo. His research topics focus on functional materials, phase transitions and critical phenomena, as well as ultrafast non-equilibrium dynamics. He was awarded the 2022 Alajos Kálmán Prize by the European Association for Crystallography, the 2020 CNRS Silver Medal and the 2017 Louis Ancel Prize for Condensed Matter Physics by the French Physical Society for ‘his innovative achievements in condensed matter physics’.
QUAntum chemical and experimental Spectroscopy of Astrochemical Reactive isomers (QUASAR)
Supervisor: Marie-Aline MARTIN-DRUMEL | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 EDOM-9-QUAS
Contact: marie-aline.martin@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: The project aims to uncover reactive isomers of astrophysical relevance by combining high-resolution laboratory spectroscopy with advanced quantum chemical calculations. This work incorporates high-level quantum chemical models to guide experimental detection and spectral assignment of reactive molecular species. The PhD fellow will conduct both the quantum calculations and laboratory spectroscopic characterization of selected isomeric families expected to be abundant in space but lacking experimental data. These new spectra will then support astronomical collaborators in targeted searches within existing radio to submillimeter wave surveys. By merging experimental and theoretical molecular science, the project will deliver essential spectroscopic data to improve astrochemical models, while offering the fellow comprehensive training in quantum chemistry and gas-phase molecular spectroscopy.
Project Objectives
The main objective of this PhD fellowship is to identify and characterize reactive isomers of astrochemical relevance by combining high-resolution gas-phase spectroscopy and high-level quantum chemical calculations. The student will work at ISMO for two years, performing experimental rotational spectroscopy of selected reactive isomers using state-of-the-art microwave and terahertz instruments. Guided by calculations performed during a one-year stay at the University of Bologna, the fellow will predict structural and spectroscopic parameters to support experimental identification and spectral assignment. Additional short visits to collaborating laboratories will provide complementary training in astrochemical modeling and data interpretation. The ultimate goal is to build a reliable spectroscopic database for newly characterized isomers, enabling their astronomical search and improving the chemical networks used to model interstellar environments.
Host Laboratory: ISMO 3i Host Laboratory: Department of Chemistry "Giacomo Ciamician", University of Bologna (ITALY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Marie-Aline Martin-Drumel is a French molecular physicist specializing in the spectroscopy of gas-phase molecules of astrophysical interest. She is a scientist at the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) affiliated with the Institute of Molecular Sciences of Orsay (ISMO), Université Paris-Saclay since 2017. She earned her Ph.D. in physics, in 2019, from the Université Paris Sud under Philippe Bréchignac and Olivier Pirali. She performed three post-doctoral research stays at the Laboratory of Atmospheric Physical-Chemistry (LPCA), University of Littoral Cote d’Opale (group of Prof. Gaël Mouret), the I. Physikalisches Institut, University of Cologne (group of Prof. Stephan Schlemmer), and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian (group of Dr. Michael McCarthy). She is a recipient of the CNRS bronze medal (2021) and the PI of two ANR grants.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Cristina Puzzarini is a Full Professor in Physical Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry “Giacomo Ciamician”, Università di Bologna. She holds an MSc (cum laude, 1993) and a PhD in Chemistry (1997) from the same institution. Since 2018 she has served as Full Professor, after earlier roles as Assistant and Associate Professor at Bologna. Her research focuses on quantum-chemical determination of structural, molecular and spectroscopic properties, high-resolution rotational spectroscopy, and astrochemistry. She currently serves as Chief Editor of the Astrochemistry section of Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences. Her work spans theoretical and experimental methods to explore molecules of interest in the interstellar medium, combining quantum chemistry with laboratory spectroscopy to deliver precise molecular data for astronomical applications.
REgenerative catalysis for the valorisation of FluorINated feedstock using Light (REFINE)
Supervisor: Emmanuel MAGNIER | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 2MIB-4-REFI
Contact: emmanuel.magnier@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: This project harnesses visible-light regenerative photocatalysis to transform environmentally problematic fluorinated feedstocks into sustainable, non-persistent building blocks. Specifically, the aim of the present proposal is the use of a new concept, recently invented in Padua’s laboratory, a regenerative photocatalyst (called Phoenix [ref 5]) for the valorisation of fluorinated feedstock to prepare new useful monofluorinated, difluorinated or pentafluorosulfanylated targets in a sustainable manner. Starting from cheap, available, but soon banned fluorinated starting materials, we aimed to produce highly functionalized non-persistent fluorinated compounds (non-PFAS) by a new type of photocatalyst. The latter will be studied in detail in Padua including the physico-chemical properties of our system.
Project Objectives
The two main objectives of this research program are (see attached scheme): 1) the reduction of SF6 for the generation of the SF5 radical and its incorporation into organic scaffolds 2) the generation of difluoromethyl and monofluoromethyl radical by a reductive-defluorinative sequence starting from trifluoroacetic acid derivatives. In both cases, we are using feedstock compounds, available at low cost and in large quantities, but which are harmful to the environment. Our goal is to find a solution to the problem of converting these products into derivatives that do not have these disadvantages and can be use as fluorinated building blocks to the construction of biorelevant targets. The approach we plan to develop is also respectful of the environment as it will employ a regenerative photocatalyst system - a light-driven catalyst that regenerates itself during the reaction.
Host Laboratory: BioCIS UMR 8076 3i Host Laboratory: Department of Chemical Sciences Via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova University of Padova (Italy) (ITALY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Emmanuel Magnier (0000-0003-3392-3971), is a CNRS Research Director (DR1) at UVSQ. He is currently the head of the Institut Lavoisier de Versailles. In january 2026, he and two permanent researchers of his group (Pr. E. Anselmi and Dr. G. Dagousset) will move to the BioCIS laboratory of the University of Paris-Saclay. The research of the group focuses on the development of new selective synthetic methods for the introduction of fluorinated moieties into organic molecules with a special attention to the incorporation of chalcogen atoms linked to perfluoroalkyl chains. Recent significant achievements notably include new routes for the synthesis of sulfoximines and sustainable catalysis for the production of fluorinated or methyl radicals. Emmanuel Magnier has national and international collaborations, obtained research funding and authored more than 120 publications.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Luca Dell’Amico (0000-0003-0423-9628) is Associate Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Padua, Italy. His research focuses on the development of new organophotocatalytic strategies for sustainable radical chemistry and light-driven synthesis. The group combines synthetic innovation with advanced spectroscopic and transient absorption techniques, as well as DFT modeling, to elucidate mechanisms of photoinduced processes. Recent results published in Nature Chemistry and Nature Catalysis highlight advances in photocycloadditions and strain-release reactivity. Author of over 45 publications, he received the Giacomo Ciamician Medal, the Thieme Chemistry Journals Award, and an ERC Starting Grant (SYNPHOCAT, No. 948615). He serves on the Eur. J. Org. Chem. International Advisory Board.
Study of complex gradient index optics compatible with laser structuring manufacturing (SCALING)
Supervisor: Guillaume DRUART | Employer: ONERA | 3i dimension: intersectoral (interdisciplinary) 📥 ONER-2-SCAL
Contact: guillaume.druart@onera.fr; florence.de_la_barriere@onera.frAbstract: The objective of the thesis is to study the potential of complex GRIN optics (CGRIN) that can be produced by structuring matter with a femtosecond laser to address SWAP issues. This work will require the doctoral student to address the challenges of design, manufacturing, and metrology for CGRIN optics.
Project Objectives
Implementation of an index gradient model obtained by femtosecond laser in optical design codes. Evaluation of the s-SNOM/nano-FTIR experimental method to control the quality of laser structuring and validate material structuring processes. Manufacture of complex GRIN obtained by laser structuring
Host Laboratory: Modality 2 3i Host Laboratory: ONERA (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Guillaume Druart, graduated from the Institut d'Optique Graduate School (Engineering School in photonics, Paris - France) in 2006. Then he performed a PhD at the Optical Department of the French Aerospace labs and with Charles Fabry laboratory at Institut d'Optique (2009). He is author of more than 33 publications, 76 conference papers and 14 patents. He has supervised or directed 18 theses (4 of them currently in progress). He is currently research director at Onera. His research interests are non conventional optical designs, diffractive optics, multichannel designs, freeform optics, GRIN optics, co-design with image processing to miniaturize cameras or add them advanced imagery functions like spectro imagery or 3D imagery. He is teaching the optical design at Institut d'optique Graduate School for students and for professional training.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: 0
SUPERcontinuum generation in NANofibers for RAMAN imaging (SUPERNANAMAN)
Supervisor: Sylvie LEBRUN | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary, intersectoral) 📥 EOBE-3-SUPE
Contact: sylvie.lebrun@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: The SUPERNANAMAN project aims to strongly improve Coherent Raman Microscopy (CRM) by overcoming the current limitation of narrow excitation bandwidths. It will develop a compact, low-cost, broadband light source based on supercontinuum (SC) generation in optical nanofibers (ONFs). This approach will enable simultaneous access to both the fingerprint (400–1800 cm⁻¹) and CH-stretching (2800–3100 cm⁻¹) regions, enhancing imaging speed and molecular information content. The project is structured around three objectives: (1) design and fabrication of optimized ONFs via simulations and material coatings; (2) experimental generation and characterization of the SC in the picosecond regime; (3) integration of the SC source into a CRM setup for biological imaging. SUPERNANAMAN will deliver a robust, synchronized SC source, a broadband Raman imaging prototype, and new insights into nonlinear light–matter interactions, bridging fundamental photonics and applied bioimaging.
Project Objectives
The main objective of this project is to develop a new light source for coherent Raman imaging based on a supercontinuum (SC) generated in a silica optical nanofiber (ONF). This approach aims to overcome the spectral limitations of current laser systems, which typically provide a narrow signal bandwidth around the CH-stretching region. By exploiting the strong light confinement and controllable dispersion of ONFs, we intend to generate a broadband SC automatically synchronized with the pump laser. This source will enable the probing of multiple vibrational regions of interest, thereby improving the chemical specificity of Raman images. The proposed solution will be simple, compact, and cost-effective, offering an accessible alternative to complex tunable laser systems for coherent Raman microscopy.
Host Laboratory: LCF 3i Host Laboratory: Politecnico di Milano (ITALY)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Sylvie Lebrun is a Full Professor at the Laboratoire Charles Fabry, Institut d’Optique Graduate School, Université Paris-Saclay. Her research focuses on optical nonlinearities and light–matter interactions in micro- and nanostructured optical fibers. She has a strong interest in the practical applications of her research, including environmental sensing and laser sources, and has received several awards throughout her career for the valorization of her scientific results. She serves as Program Chair of the European Optical Society’s annual meeting Optical Fiber and Technology (2024–2025) and as General Chair of the Nonlinear Photonics conference at the Optica Advanced Photonics Congress in 2025. She is also the Director of Studies at SupOptique, the French engineering school of optics, overseeing 500 students from the bachelor’s to master’s level.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Giulio Cerullo is a Full Professor with the Physics Department, Politecnico di Milano, where he leads the Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy laboratory. He has published more than 550 papers which have received over 36000 citations (H-index 95 according to Scopus). He is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America, of the European Physical Society, and a member of the Accademia dei Lincei. He has been General Chair of the conferences CLEO/Europe 2017, Ultrafast Phenomena 2018 and International Conference on Raman Spectroscopy 2022. He is the 2023 recipient of the EPS-QEOD Quantum Electronics Prize. He has received an ERC Advanced Grant in 2012 and an ERC Synergy Grant in 2025 and has supervised 9 Marie Curie Individual Fellowships. He is the co-founder of two spin-off companies (Cambridge Raman Imaging and NIREOS).
Silicon Nitride and Photonic crystal hybrid tEchnology for non-classical Photon State gEneration (SYNAPSE)
Supervisor: Alfredo De Rossi | Employer: Thales Research & Technology | 3i dimension: intersectoral (international) 📥 THAL-1-SYNA
Contact: alfredo.derossi@thalesgroup.com; sylvain.combrie@thalesgroup.comAbstract: Quantum communication uses non-classical light to securely connect remote users, key for the emerging quantum internet. Teleportation of quantum states relies on entangled photons from specialized sources, but scaling up compact, efficient emitters is challenging. The silicon nitride (SiN) platform, integrated with photonic crystal technology, led to the first Photonic Crystal Optical Parametric Oscillator (OPO), which generates entangled photon pairs via spontaneous four-wave mixing. This nano-OPO, made from a III-V PhC membrane, offers high entanglement efficiency in a small device. Future work aims to create generators of complex multi-photon states with the University of Twente.
Project Objectives
Path-entangled photons are important for quantum photonics, and this project aims to replace conventional ring resonators with a more compact and efficient nanoOPO in silicon nitride photonic circuits, which have lower losses than silicon. The student will design and fabricate a photonic crystal membrane, optimize its mechanical properties for micro-transfer printing from a III-V wafer, and develop integration techniques for optical and electrical connections, including a heater for temperature control. The final goal is to test and demonstrate a complete circuit featuring multiple sources to achieve highly efficient path entanglement on-chip.
Host Laboratory: LuMIn 3i Host Laboratory: Thales Research & Technology (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr. Alfredo De Rossi MS (1997), PhD (2002), HDR (Habilitation) (2013, U. Paris XI). + 140 peer-reviewed journal papers and +18 patents. Optica Fellow 2024. Expertise: nonlinear optics, integrated device modelling.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: 0
Symmetry-Driven Nonlinear Optics in Hexagonal Polytype Semiconductors (SYNOX)
Supervisor: Laetitia VINCENT | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (intersectoral ) 📥 EOBE-4-SYNO
Contact: laetitia.vincent@cnrs.frAbstract: This project explores crystal-phase control to engineer material properties and unlock new functionalities. Building on a patented breakthrough enabling the growth of metastable hexagonal semiconductor thin films, we will investigate their nonlinear optical behaviour. The anisotropic hexagonal symmetry is expected to provide strong χ(2) and intrinsic birefringence, enhancing SHG and SPDC for applications in frequency conversion, optical modulation, sensing and quantum photonics. As a first demonstrator, the SYNOX project aims to develop disruptive sources of correlated photon pairs via SPDC in subwavelength AlGaAs-hex films, a key enabler for secure quantum communication. Our vision is to design and integrate miniaturized nonlinear optical devices, paving the way toward fully integrated and scalable on-chip quantum light sources for practical quantum technologies.
Project Objectives
SYNOX ‘s key objectives are to: (i) Grow device-quality AlGaAs-hex thin films (ii) Acquire fundamental nonlinear parameters of AlGaAs-hex specifically SHG response (iii) Demonstrate SPDC in AlGaAs-hex thin films The PhD will extend the synthesis of GaAs-4H (patent) toward GaAlAs-2H films on CdS-2H substrates, addressing Ga diffusion that limits film quality. The candidate will optimize UHV-VPE growth, study optical and electrical properties through advanced characterization, and probe nonlinear responses via SHG and SPDC mapping using an HBT setup.
Host Laboratory: C2N 3i Host Laboratory: ETH Zurich (SWITZERLAND)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: I received my PhD degree in nuclear physics in 2001 and worked during 8 years at CNRS on implantation and irradiation-induced damage in semiconductors and nuclear ceramic. In 2010, I achieved a professional redirection and gained expertise in epitaxial growth and properties of semiconductor nanowires. I pioneered a process of phase transformation in group IV nanowires to synthesize hexagonal Si and Ge crystal phase. My activity is currently focused on epitaxy of metastable group IV allotropes especially using in situ TEM observations to evidence the growth kinetics and growth related-defects. 68 publications 30 oral communications orales including 14 invited talks 7 PhD thesis training 12 PhD defense examinator (5 of them reviewer) Coordinator of 5 national projects and PI of 2 European projects on the synthesis and integration of hexagonal SiGe
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Since 2025 Rachel Grange appointed Full Professor of Photonics at ETH Zurich. She has been Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the field of integrated optics and nonlinear nanophotonics in the Department of Physics at ETH Zurich since 2015. From 2011 to 2014, she was junior group leader at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany. Her research covers material investigations at the nanoscale, top-down and bottom-up fabricated nanostructures, mainly thin film lithium niobate and solution processed barium titanate for classical and quantum devices. Recently, she worked on integrated electro-optic spectrometers, on random quasi-phase matching phenomena in complex assemblies of nanocrystals, and parametric down conversion signals for quantum information processing. She is the coordinator of the main clean room facilities and the head of the physics department.
Entanglement based quantum sensing: Nonlinear interferometry with fibered telecom components (Tangelin)
Supervisor: Nadia BELABAS | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international 📥 EDOM-10-TANG
Contact: nadia.belabas@cnrs.frAbstract: In SU(1,1) interferometry, nonlinear effects are used to split and recombine electromagnetic waves for precise estimation of optical phase change that harnesses entanglement. This PhD work plans on an all-fibered implementation of such a non-conventional interferometer at telecom wavelengths with minimal resources.
Project Objectives
The work will consist in a quantitative demonstration of a quantum improvement in phase sensitivity using nonlinear fibers, stable and low noise phase handling, low noise light sources and dedicated optimized filters. We plan notably on implementing strategies to manage Brillouin backscattering in the nonlinear fibers, unlocking the potential of nonlinear fibers for such quantum measurement applications. We further plan on simulating and implementing different detection schemes to achieve fundamental limits for phase sensitivity.
Host Laboratory: C2N 3i Host Laboratory: Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal, India (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Dr. Nadia Belabas has been a CNRS researcher since 2004. She is an expert notably in semiconductor nanophotonics, quantum optics and photonic circuitry. She initially worked on broadband pulse-shaping, Fourier transform and multidimensional nonlinear spectroscopy. She then opened prospects in integrated classical and quantum photonics with innovative guided light manipulation and new parametric sources. Since 2016 she proposed and implemented quantum tasks with nonlinear waveguide arrays, semiconductors parametric and on-demand sources and beyond, both in the continuous and discrete variable framework. Her current interests include time-frequency encoding of quantum information and quantum fibered implementations in the telecom wavelength regime.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Dr. Syamsundar De is an assistant professor at IIT Kharagpur and is currently leading activities on the development of LNOI photonics for quantum technologies. His research expertise includes integrated quantum photonics, quantum information technologies using CV and DV frameworks, high-dimensional quantum systems and networks, time-frequency quantum metrology, foundations of quantum optics, and dynamics and noise of cw and pulsed lasers.
High-speed coherent Raman metrology for the study of transient and non-equilibrium reactive flows (UltrafastCARS)
Supervisor: Myriam RAYBAUT | Employer: ONERA | 3i dimension: intersectoral (interdisciplinary) 📥 ONER-3-ULTR
Contact: myriam.raybaut@onera.fr; gabi-daniel.stancu@centralesupelec.frAbstract: Femtosecond Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) spectroscopy allows for probing the population distribution of ro-vibrational levels in a molecular medium and thus provides a precise and non-invasive way to measure temperature within reactive media such as combustions and plasmas. To provide a new understanding of the turbulent or transient phenomena occurring in reactive flows, like rotating detonation combustions, which represent a major potential advance in aeronautical and space propulsion, or of the non-equilibrium plasmas and their related applications in energy and environment domains. ONERA is developing a very high-speed instrument based on femtosecond ultrashort laser technology. This thesis will focus in particular on optimizing light-matter interaction, developing ultrafast data processing algorithms, moceling non-equilibrium media, and experimentally validating the instrument's performance in representative flow conditions.
Project Objectives
This PhD project focuses on the development of a next-generation, high-repetition-rate CARS (Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering) instrument dedicated to the analysis of unsteady and non-equilibrium reactive flows. The research is structured around two main objectives: 1)Implementation of a new high-speed measurement system and the development of a new generation of data-processing algorithms specifically designed for high-cadence operation. 2)Extension of femtosecond CARS to non-equilibrium environments, where ro-vibrational population distributions deviate from Boltzmann statistics and follow more complex, non-thermal behaviors. Ambitious applications concern the study of Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs)—an emerging propulsion concept that combines ultrafast transient phenomena and with highly unsteady reactive flows and non-equilibrium plasma assisted combustion & nitrogen fixation, which are relevant to the carbon-free industrial transition with a potential global impact
Host Laboratory: DPHY 3i Host Laboratory: EM2C laboratory, CentraleSupélec (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Myriam Raybaut graduated from Ecole Supérieure d'Optique in 2003, and obtained her PhD in Physics from Université Paris XI in 2006 and her HDR in 2023. Her research interests span from non-linear optics phenomena to the development of spectrometric instrumentation. She co-authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and more than 107 conferences. She was awarded the Edouard Branly Prize in 2012, a Medal from the French Académie de l'Air et de l'Espace in 2014, and the Médaille de l'Aéronautique in 2023. She co-supervised 14 PhD students. She coordinated several projects, incl. two European projects. She is the head of the Laser Sources and Metrology Unit from ONERA DPHY, which deals with the development of instrumentation based on light-matter interaction for different applications, ranging from cold-atom interferometry to optical diagnostics for combustion or plasma facilities.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Gabi-Daniel Stancu is a full professor at CentraleSupélec, University Paris-Saclay and the deputy director of the EM2C laboratory. His areas of expertise are in non-equilibrium plasma physics and advanced laser-based plasma diagnostics. He co-authored 50 peer-reviewed articles and more than 120 conferences. He received the French ministry of research award for scientific excellence (PEDR) in 2016 and 2020, and received the award innolec Lectureship 'Plasma spectroscopic diagnostics' incognition of the development of the teaching curricum. He coordinated several projects, including two European and 6 ANR projects. He obtained his PhD in Physics from university Ernst-Moritz-Arndt in 2004, and his HDR from université Paris Sud in 2014. He supervised 8 PhD students, and 7 post-doctoral students. By October 2026, he is expected to supervise three doctoral students (with 100%; 40% and 33%).
Wavelength-selective photocleavable protecting groups for the synthesis and activation of biologically relevant 3D-structured peptides (WActiPepti)
Supervisor: Nicolas BOGLIOTTI | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: international (interdisciplinary) 📥 2MIB-5-WACT
Contact: nicolas.bogliotti@ens-paris-saclay.frAbstract: The objective of this research project is to prepare novel photocaged peptides, perform in-depth studies of their photochemical/photophysical behavior, and apply them to the inhibition of the p53-MDM2 interaction, a well-recognized strategy in cancerology. To reach this goal, this project gathers an international consortium with a broad range of expertise including synthetic organic chemistry, photophysics and biology. A first peptide series, designed to undergo 3D structuration upon photodeprotection and induce inhibition of the p53-MDM2 interaction, will be studied in a cellular context. A second series involving a cyclopeptide with multiple photocleavable protecting groups will be studied in the context of the development of a novel synthetic methodology to access biologically relevant complex molecular architectures based on sequential wavelength-selective photodeprotections.
Project Objectives
• Synthesize novel photocaged amino-acids suitable for solid-phase peptide synthesis • Incorporate them into selected peptides likely to exhibit well-defined 3D structures • Study the photochemical and photophysical properties of the amino-acids and peptides: photocleavage ability, photochemical pathways and mechanisms by investigating (a) steady-state and time-resolved absorption and emission studies (b) circular dichroism (CD) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) • Develop a novel synthetic methodology for late-stage functionalization of cyclopeptides based on sequential wavelength-selective photo-deprotections • Evaluate cellular uptake, photo-uncaging and initiation of biological activity (inhibition of p53-MDM2 interaction) on selected peptides in a cellular context
Host Laboratory: PPSM 3i Host Laboratory: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (IISER-TVM) (INDIA)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Nicolas Bogliotti was born in Cannes (France) in 1980. He studied chemistry at Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, then at Université Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris), where he obtained a PhD in 2006 working in the field of Ru-catalyzed asymmetric ketone reduction and total synthesis of a natural product. After postdoctoral stays at ETH Zürich (Switzerland), studying the gelation properties of oligonucleotide analogues, and at Institut Curie (Paris, France) preparating gold nanorods−protein conjugates for cancer imaging and therapy, he was appointed assistant professor at ENS Cachan (presently ENS Paris-Saclay) in 2010. He obtained his “Habilitation à diriger des recherches” in 2018 and since then is developing independent research topics involving the design, synthesis and study of photosensitive molecular species whose properties and reactivity can be controlled upon light irradiation.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: K George Thomas (KGT) is a senior Professor at the School of Chemistry of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram (https://www.kgtlab.in; https://www.iisertvm.ac.in/faculty/kgt). He has made significant contributions in several areas of photosciences and nanomaterials. His group is currently focusing on studies related to light-matter interaction at the nanoscale. Some of the recent efforts include designing single photon emitters, the use of semiconductor QDs for photoinduced electron and energy transfer applications, and the design of supramolecular, plasmonic, and semiconductor nanomaterials with enhanced chiroptical responses (circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence).
Investigation of wearable non-invasive, tracer-free, optical approaches for measurement of blood flow in active humans (WearFlow)
Supervisor: Frederic Pain | Employer: University Paris-Saclay | 3i dimension: interdisciplinary 📥 EOBE-5-WEAR
Contact: frederic.pain@universite-paris-saclay.frAbstract: There is an unmet need for in situ, non-invasive monitoring of the blood flow at the capillaries level in the skin or the scalp of conscious, active humans. Optical or Ultrasound Doppler probes used in clinics are handheld by the practitioner, prone to movement artefacts and limited to short time measurements of flow in the large vessels such as arteries. The aim of the project is to investigate new optical approaches based on wearable detectors allowing continuous measurements in moving, active subjects. To this aim, we will explore two approaches: a miniaturized laser speckle contrast imager and a diffuse correlation spectroscopy device, both incorporated into wearable devices. The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills in a photonics instrument design, characterization and implementation for in vivo measurement in humans in the context of an interdisciplinary collaboration at the intersection of photonics, data analysis and biomedical applications.
Project Objectives
1) Build a miniaturized, wearable multiple exposure laser speckle imaging device. Choice of optical and photonics components and integration in a miniaturized device 2) Characterize the device performances for flow imaging on microfluidic devices Assessment of flow quantitation, sensibility and reproducibility and evaluation of the best blood flow metrics based on analytical calculations (speckle contrasts) or machine learning based approaches using neural networks trained on annotated microfluidics data 3) Implement the device in healthy volunteers and record relevant physiological parameters at rest and during motor activities Practical implementation of the device in real conditions, design of experimental protocols, recordings and data analysis 4) Implement Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy in a wearable probe and evaluate in vitro its ability to retrieve depth dependent flows 5) Compare the performances of both methods
Host Laboratory: LCF 3i Host Laboratory: Laboratoire Complexité, Innovations, Activité Motrices et Sportives ( CIAMS) , Université Paris Saclay (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: Frederic Pain aims at developing new optical imaging devices and methods for the measurement of functional parameters at the tissue level including multispectral oximetry and autofluorescence imaging of celular metabolic activity. In recent years, he focused on blood flow mapping at the capillaries level using Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging( LSCI) and Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy. Within these recent projects, he has established strong collaborations with biologists at Sorbonne University and Medical Imaging Physics Lab at Chang Gung University in Taiwan. He obtained his HDR in 2012 and since then has co-supervised with clinicans or biologists 5 interdisciplinary PhD projects and 3 post-docs. He has interactions with french companies such as Biospace Mesures through "licence de Savoir-Faire", Damae Medical , Regenlife through collaborative projects and co-supervision of interns.
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Marie Gernigon (MCF-HDR) specializes in cardiovascular physiology and functional performance assessment, with a strong translational focus. Her clinical experience at Angers University Hospital (vascular department) includes expertise in vascular pathophysiology, particularly in peripheral arterial disease patients. She has led multicenter research, including the Post-GPS study (250 patients, 31 physicians), overseeing study design, ethics, and data management. Her research focuses on physiological responses to blood flow occlusion (Bloof Flow Restriction during exercise, IPC at rest) using NIRS, tcPO₂, and laser Doppler to evaluate hemodynamic responses.
Ultra-High-Resolution Wind Lidar for Aerodynamics using frequency modulation (WILIA-HR)
Supervisor: Pierre BOURDON | Employer: ONERA | 3i dimension: intersectoral (interdisciplinary, international) 📥 ONER-4-WILI
Contact: pierre.bourdon@onera.fr; laurent.lombard@onera.frAbstract: Doppler lidars measure the velocity of distant targets and atmospheric wind by analyzing the Doppler shift of light backscattered by aerosols. They are key tools for atmospheric and aerodynamic studies, but their spatial resolution, typically tens of meters, is limited by laser pulse duration. ONERA has developed a promising approach using fast frequency modulation, inspired by FMCW (frequency-modulated continuous-wave) ranging, achieving sub-meter resolution but requiring further optimization and dedicated signal processing. This PhD aims to significantly enhance the spatial resolution of 1.5-µm coherent Doppler wind lidars through modeling, simulation, and the development of a laboratory prototype. The work includes instrument simulation, signal-processing design, component selection, experimental validation, and real-wind measurements, with strong potential impact in experimental aerodynamics, especially in non-intrusive optical methods for flow sensing.
Project Objectives
The objective of this thesis is, on the one hand, to deepen understanding of this fast frequency modulation technique by developing an instrument simulator that will optimize measurement parameters and design appropriate signal processing methods, and on the other hand, to develop a prototype of a hyper-resolved wind lidar that will demonstrate the gain in resolution, first in the laboratory and then in real wind conditions. The improvement in resolution opens up the possibility of observing aerodynamic phenomena that were previously inaccessible to conventional lidars, such as small turbulent structures or edge effects in flow characterization.
Host Laboratory: Modality 2 3i Host Laboratory: ONERA (FRANCE)
Biographies
Thesis Director Short Bio: 0
3i Co-supervisor Short Bio: Paul Beaumard holds advanced training in aerodynamics from Centrale Nantes and Imperial College London. His expertise lies in turbulence, with a PhD dedicated to the subject, and in measuring small-scale turbulence in aerodynamic environments to enhance and validate simulation models.