Post-doc: Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets and Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Applications

CNRS; France; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS GREMI invites applications for a Post-Doctoral position within the PLASNANOBIAL project at the Université d'Orléans. The role focuses on developing CAP jets to functionalize sutures and dressings with antimicrobial coatings and on protocols to evaluate antibacterial properties of plasma-treated substrates.

You will study plasma-liquid interactions, characterize materials by multiple spectroscopic methods, and help design a roll-to-roll plasma system for continuous processing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Microbiology, Plasma or a related field (defended within the last 3 years).
• Strong experimental background in Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) jets, DBD systems, or plasma-activated water (PAW) (design, operation, diagnostics).
• Know-how on bacterial decontamination evaluation.
• Experience with plasma-liquid interactions (reactive species, ROS/RNS) and material characterization (OES, UV-Vis, FTIR, XPS, SEM).
• Fluency in English (written/spoken); French is a plus.
• Publication record in plasma applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize CAP jets for uniform, biocidal coatings on sutures and dressings.
• Develop protocols to assess antibacterial properties of plasma-processed substrates.
• Investigate plasma-liquid interactions to identify and control reactive species (ROS/RNS) that enhance antimicrobial properties.
• Characterize treated materials using OES, UV-Vis, FTIR, XPS, and SEM.
• Design and test a roll-to-roll (R2R) plasma system for continuous treatment of flexible substrates.
• Collaborate with project partners and assist in microbiological assays.

Skills

CAP jets

DBD systems

PAW methods

bacterial decontamination

plasma-liquid interactions

Education

PhD in Physics

PhD in Microbiology

PhD in Plasma

Tools

OES

UV-Vis

FTIR

XPS

SEM

Job description

Organisation/Company Université d'Orléans/CNRS Department GREMI laboratory Research Field Physics » Applied physics Biological sciences » Biology Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Context

The PLASNANOBIAL project aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by developing innovative plasma-based antimicrobial solutions. Within Work Package 1 (WP1), the focus is on using Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) jets to functionalize surfaces with natural extracts (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol). The goal is to eradicate microorganisms on contaminated surfaces and inhibit microbial adhesion on sterile materials like surgical sutures and dressings.

Job description

The Post-Doc will work on WP1, focusing on: Developing and optimizing CAP jets (He/N₂/O₂ + natural extract vapors) to create uniform, biocidal coatings on sutures and dressings. Developing protocols to assess the antibacterial properties of plasma-processed substrates. The role involves investigating plasma-liquid interactions to identify and control reactive species (ROS/RNS: OH, H₂O₂, NO₂, etc.) that enhance antimicrobial properties. Characterization of treated materials will be performed using OES, UV-Vis, FTIR, XPS, and SEM. The position also includes designing and testing a roll-to-roll (R2R) plasma system for continuous treatment of flexible substrates. The candidate will study the influence of pulse parameters (voltage, frequency, gas flow, exposure time) on bactericidal efficacy and optimize plasma conditions to prevent material degradation while ensuring effective antimicrobial action. Collaboration with project partners is expected, including providing plasma-treated samples for antimicrobial testing and assisting in microbiological assays.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Microbiology, Plasma or a related field (defended within the last 3 years).
• Strong experimental background in Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) jets, DBD systems, or plasma-activated water (PAW) (design, operation, diagnostics).
• Know-how on bacterial decontamination evaluation
• Experience with plasma-liquid interactions (reactive species, ROS/RNS) and material characterization (OES, UV-Vis, FTIR, XPS, SEM).
• Fluency in English (written/spoken); French is a plus.
• Publication record in plasma applications.