Post-doc (M/F) in rheology and soft matter

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A public multidisciplinary research organization in France is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to explore the physical properties of plant cells. The role involves advanced experimental techniques in rheology and microfluidics to develop biomimetic materials. Candidates should hold a PhD in soft matter physics or rheology, with strong skills in data analysis and scientific English. This project is part of a larger initiative to enhance bio-based materials.

Qualifications

• PhD in soft matter physics or rheology.
• Openness to the physico-chemistry of biopolymers.
• Strong interest in experimental work.

Responsabilités

• Mimic and understand the origin of the remarkable physical properties of plant cells.
• Investigate gelation and structuring mechanisms.
• Develop biomimetic objects inspired by plant cells.

Connaissances

Experimental work

Data analysis

Scientific English

Formation

PhD in soft matter physics / rheology

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire Rhéologie et Procédés Research Field Engineering Chemistry Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 25 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 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

The aim of this postdoctoral position is to mimic and understand the origin of the remarkable physical properties of plant cells, which are able both to withstand high osmotic pressures and to dynamically remodel themselves through the action of specific enzymes.

The experimental approach will rely on advanced rheophysical, microscopy, and microfluidic techniques, as well as on the use of natural polymers derived from biomass (pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose), whose properties will be carefully controlled.

The ionic gelation of polysaccharides, their mechanical reinforcement by cellulose and hemicellulose, as well as the enzymatic remodeling of these gels will be investigated using:

• Rheometry, with a measurement cell allowing controlled mass transfer (ions / enzymes), in order to establish the relationships between chemical reactions and the dynamic evolution of the gel's rheological properties.
• Confocal microscopy / microfluidics / microrheology, to link the structural remodeling of the gel to the reaction kinetics occurring within the material.

The identified gelation and structuring mechanisms will then be tested with the aim of producing biomimetic objects inspired by plant cells, such as microcapsules or fibers, using microfluidic approaches.

References:

• Guilbert, E., de Loubens, C., Vilotte, A., Schmitt, C., Gunes, D., & Bodiguel, H. (2024). Spontaneous Structuration of Biohydrogels by Membrane‑Free Osmosis. Advanced Functional Materials, 34(34), 2400888.
• Vilotte, A., de Loubens, C., Gunes, D. Z., Schmitt, C., & Bodiguel, H. (2022). Hydrodynamic spinning of protein fractal aggregates into core–shell fibers. ACS Applied Polymer Materials, 4(6), 4075–4080.

The candidate will be recruited by the CNRS, a public multidisciplinary research organization under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. The postdoctoral researcher will join a dynamic collaboration between the Laboratoire Rhéologie et Procédés (LRP) and the Centre de Recherche sur les Macromolécules Végétales (CERMAV), both located on the Grenoble university campus.

The LRP, a joint research unit of CNRS and Université Grenoble Alpes, specializes in rheology, process engineering, and soft matter, with applications ranging from biomaterials to advanced industrial processes. CERMAV, a leading center in glycosciences, conducts cutting‑edge research on polysaccharide‑based materials and biopolymers. Both laboratories are equipped with state‑of‑the‑art facilities in rheology, microscopy, microfluidics, and physico‑chemical characterization.

The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Clément de Loubens (LRP), Laurent Heux (CERMAV), and Hugues Bodiguel (LRP), and will interact closely with partners of the WallMat project (PEPR B‑BEST), including the team of Jérôme Pelloux (Université de Picardie Jules Verne), specialists in plant cell‑wall remodeling enzymes.

In the broader context of the transition toward bio‑based and renewable materials, and within the framework of the PEPR B‑BEST program (Biomass, biotechnologies, and sustainable technologies for chemicals and fuels), this postdoctoral project is part of WallMat (https://www.pepr-bioproductions.fr/projets-finances/caracterisation-de‑…). This initiative brings together several research laboratories to valorize by‑products from the agri‑food industry rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin. The ambition is to draw inspiration from the natural mechanisms at work in plant cells to design materials with unprecedented properties.

Qualifications:

• PhD in soft matter physics / rheology.
• Openness to the physico‑chemistry of biopolymers.
• Strong interest in experimental work and in developing experimental tools.
• Solid skills in data analysis and result interpretation.
• Proficiency in scientific English (written and spoken).