Wireless Ingestible Devices for Gastrointestinal Therapeutics, Diagnosis or Intervention

Context: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Networks are joint research and training projects funded by the European Union. Funding is provided for doctoral candidates from both inside and outside Europe to carry out individual project work in a European country other than their own. The Intelli-Ingest MSCA Doctoral Networks is made up of 4 beneficiaries and 6 associated partners, all coordinated by the Biorobotics Institute of  Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy.  

The Intelli-Ingest Doctoral Network aims to empower 13 young scientists and engineers to become experts in ingestible medical device research and translation. Ingestible devices are minimally invasive, orally delivered medical devices that traverse the gastrointestinal tract, using electronic, mechanical, or smart material elements for diagnosis, therapy, surgery, or sampling. The program's key objectives include advancing the capabilities of ingestible devices by addressing current technical limitations, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing the need for additional interventions, creating environmentally sustainable devices, and developing simulators to reduce reliance on in vivo testing. 

The training network is interdisciplinary, integrating various fields such as physiology, electronics, robotics, microengineering, materials science, AI, and pharmaceutical science. The doctoral candidates (DCs) will receive comprehensive training through research projects, secondments, and interactions with industry and clinical environments, preparing them for diverse careers. Additionally, the network seeks to foster international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral cooperation, contributing to European innovation capacity and advancing the field of minimally invasive, orally delivered medical technologies. 

This project will overall develop a minimally invasive, orally delivered miniaturised device for Gastrointestinal Therapeutics, Diagnosis or Intervention. The specific candidate's work in this project area at the IETR laboratory of CNRS will focus on the design, prototyping, and performance assessment of a multiplexed radio-frequency circuits and radiating structures for simultaneous biosensing, connectivity, and localisation of ingestible devices. This work package will be lead by Denys Nikolayev, principal inversigator in Wireless Bioelectronics at CNRS and ERC grantee. The performance assessment of the prototypes will be carried out in collaboration with BodyCap company.

The CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) is France’s leading public research institution, renowned for advancing knowledge across a wide range of disciplines. With access to exceptional infrastructure, public and private funding, and world-wide collaborations, the CNRS provides an ideal environment for impactful research. Its community includes outstanding scientists, including Nobel laureates, who contribute to projects shaping the future of science and technology. Joining the CNRS means becoming part of a global network of excellence, where innovation thrives.

Skills/Qualifications

• M.Sc. (or equivalent) degree. In accordance with the European Union’s funding rules for doctoral networks, applicants must NOT yet have a PhD
• Knowledge of radio-frequency electronics, circuit design, microwave and antenna engineering.
• Competence in electromagnetics and/or wave physics.
• Basics of numerical EM solvers (e.g., COMSOL, CST, or HFSS), circuit design and simulation software, programming skills (Python or MATLAB).
• Experience with microcontrollers (e.g. Nordic) and Xilinx FPGA is a plus.
• Fluency in English and strong academic writing skills.