M2+thèse: Modeling of cardiac muscle contraction: a combined experimental and theoretical approach

MSME Laboratory – Modeling and Simulation for Mechanics and Engineering (UPEC, France)

The MSME laboratory (Modélisation et Simulation Multi Échelle) is a joint research unit of Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) and CNRS, specializing in multiscale modeling, numerical simulation, and experimental mechanics. Its research aims to understand and predict the behavior of complex materials and biological systems across scales — from the molecular to the macroscopic level.

MSME’s expertise covers continuum mechanics, materials science, biomechanics, fluid–structure interactions, and computational methods. The lab develops advanced theoretical and numerical tools to model nonlinear, stochastic, and multiphysics phenomena, often in collaboration with experimental teams.

The doctoral candidate will work within biomechanics group whose research topics cover muscle mechanics, soft tissue modeling, and bio-inspired materials, bridging physics-based modeling and biological function. The laboratory offers a dynamic interdisciplinary environment, combining mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, and life sciences, and participates in major national and international research projects, including MesoCardio.

Located on UPEC’s main campus in Créteil, near Paris, MSME provides a stimulating scientific setting with close ties to French and European research networks in mechanics and applied mathematics.

The full description is given in the joint document.

This PhD position, part of the MesoCardio project funded by PEPR MATHS-VivES, aims to understand how cardiac muscle contraction is regulated through a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The project is jointly supervised by Matthieu Caruel (MSME, Université Paris-Est Créteil, France) and Marco Linari and Pasquale Bianco(PhysioLab, University of Florence, Italy).
A 6-month Master’s internship precedes the PhD, starting in April 2026, with the PhD beginning in October 2026.

The work focuses on Work Package 2 (WP2) of MesoCardio, which integrates experimental data and modeling to describe how molecular mechanisms—particularly the regulation of thick (myosin) and thin (actin) filaments—control cardiac contraction and how their dysfunction leads to myopathies.

• Main research tasks

1. Develop a mechanical model of cytoskeletal proteins (notably titin) at the single-contractile-unit level.
2. Perform experiments on cardiac muscle samples and synthetic nanomachines to probe regulation mechanisms.
3. Combine experimental results with modeling to build a mesoscale model of interacting contractile units including mechanical feedbacks.

• Environment and training

Alternating research stays between MSME (Créteil, near Paris) and PhysioLab (Florence), with funding for travel and accommodation.

Strong collaboration with other MesoCardio teams working on model reduction and multiscale mechanics.

• Monthly gross salary: ~600 € for the internship, ~2300 € for the PhD.

Applicants should hold or be completing a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, biomechanics, or physics.
Skills in statistical mechanics, stochastic processes are desired but not mendatory. Candidate should have proven programming skills.
No prior biology background is required, but motivation for interdisciplinary work bridging modeling and physiology is essential.