PhD Student – Fluorescence Microscopy and Photochemistry in Supramolecular Materials

A PhD position is open to study supramolecular materials obtained by photochemically induced self-assembly using spectroscopy techniques and advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques (details below). The PhD student will be enrolled for 3 years at the Doctoral School of Chemistry at the Université de Bordeaux. Initially, the candidate will be hired for 13.5 months as a Doctoral Candidate (DC) within the European Doctoral Network MultiSMART. The PhD will then be pursued for further 22.5 months under contract with the research project SUNRISE. A continuity of the research project will be privileged over the 3 years by using the same concepts and techniques. The PhD student will perform research at the ISM - Institut des Sciences Moléculaires, in the group NEO - Nanostructures Organiques, and will be supervised by Pr. André Del Guerzo. The Doctoral Network is financed by the European Union under the framework of the program HORIZON Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. It is composed of 6 Universities, 1 Research Institute and 2 Private Sector partners (from France, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom), and 11 DCs in total (2 DCs in Bordeaux). The DC will be integrated in the network and participate to 2 Workshops and an international conference in 2026. The monthly gross salary for the first contract is of approximatively 3200 € (including mobility allowance) or approximatively 3500 € (including additionally family allowance, depending on the marital status). The website of the project can be found at the following address:  

https://multismart.ism.u-bordeaux.fr

In Bordeaux, we are looking for candidates, without gender or nationality discrimination but with international mobility requirement, with interest in fluorescence, microscopy, photochemistry, photophysics, data treatment and image analyses. Goals of the PhD project include the exploration of the fundamental mechanisms of self-assembly of molecules into nanostructures and networks, forming complex soft materials, such as gels. In particular, a photochemically triggered self-assembly will be studied in details to achieve spatio-temporal control ranging from the nano- and micro-scales to the macroscopic material. A dynamic behavior will further be explored by inducing out-of-equilibrium self-assembly. Plasmonic properties will be introduced and studied in the second phase of the project. The study will involve UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, photochemistry, state-of-the-art fluorescence microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and innovative nano-photochemical approaches. For microscopy experiments, an engineer will setup the microscopy equipment and train the PhD student (daily use and alignment). The necessary molecules will be provided by the network or the laboratory. However, the laboratory also possesses wet-labs, equipment and know-how for synthesis of light-sensitive molecules and of luminescent nanoparticles. Therefore, optionally, candidates that are already trained and autonomous in organic synthesis of polyaromatic compounds can perform syntheses of new analogues of currently available compounds.

To apply, please send exclusively by e-mail: a letter of motivation, diplomas with grades and an extended CV (including list of publications, extensive list of technical and soft skills, and contact information of at least 2 references, all in pdf in 1 single e-mail, 10 MB max.). Only students having already performed a Masters’ research internship will be considered. It is advised to send the application asap. It is also advised to send letters of recommendation with the application (same email or separate email), or as soon as possible after applying, or ask the reference to send them privately by email only. At least one reference should be referring to the research internship.

Applications are accepted anytime. Applications will be analyzed as soon as received and the position can be filled, and become unavailable, anytime starting October 1^st, 2025. At least one interview will be held online. Starting date is expected to be at the latest November 15, 2025. Postponement of the starting date will be discussed only with selected candidates. 

The PhD student will be enrolled at the Doctoral School of Chemistry of the Université de Bordeaux, and perform research at the “Institut des Sciences Moléculaires” in the group NEO (Nanostructures Organiques). The main supervisor will be Prof. André Del Guerzo. 

More information of the Institute can be found on the websites:

www.ism.u-bordeaux.fr

Masters degree or equivalent required.

Not eligible if already has a PhD degree.

Mobility requirement: The candidate must not have resided in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months preceding the starting date of the contract. French citizens can apply if they respect the mobility requirement.

Highly motivated candidates with a Master degree should be attracted by a multidisciplinary project, with a high interest in inter-laboratory collaborations. Communication skills will be important to favour exchange of knowledge with the other PhD students.

Candidates should have experience in fluorescence spectroscopy, photochemistry, microscopy, optics and lasers, or other instrumental techniques. Candidates that have been trained in organic synthesis of polyaromatic compounds and have high autonomy will also be considered, but need to be highly interested in the multidisciplinarity of the project and in the aforementioned techniques and data treatment. Examples of Masters diplomas are Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Physics (if related to spectroscopy, microscopy, photonics, optics), or Materials Science.