Post-Doctoral position BIORESPIR

EURAXESS Czech Republic; Chambéry; Hybride; EUR 30 000 - 42 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Normec-Abiolab and LOCIE laboratory seek a postdoctoral researcher to develop methodologies for measuring microorganism survival in electrostatic precipitators and to execute both lab and field studies on indoor bioaerosols. The role involves close collaboration with researchers at LOCIE and engineers in NORMEC-Abiolab’s R&D department, focusing on bioaerosol removal by electrostatic processes.

Applicants should hold a PhD in bioprocess engineering, microbiology or virology, with strong aerosol

Qualifications

• PhD in bioprocess engineering, microbiology or virology.
• Fluent French and English (spoken and written).
• Interest in microbiological issues in indoor environments and lab/field work.

Responsabilités

• Develop methodologies to measure survival of microorganisms in electrostatic precipitator collectors.
• Conduct static and dynamic experiments on LOCIE ventilation benches.
• Lead field campaigns in hospital settings to collect bioaerosols.
• Collaborate with LOCIE and Normec-Abiolab teams on ANR BioRESPIR project.

Formation

PhD in bioprocess engineering, microbiology or virology

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université Savoie Mont Blanc Research Field Biological sciences Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 6 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 2 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 21384 – REGAIN Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The LOCIE laboratory is a research unit of the University of Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) affiliated with the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) through the joint Research Team (EMR 5271). LOCIE is located on the Savoie Technolac science campus in Bourget-du-Lac (73). The Laboratory works on Sustainable Energy and Buildings. The researches concern new and existing buildings. Research activities focus on high-stakes application areas, namely sustainable building and innovative energy systems at the building scale. The subjects of study include innovative systems for air treatment, energy production, transport, and storage, as well as innovations related to the building envelope of new or existing structures.

Normec-Abiolab is a laboratory affiliated with the Normec Group, a consortium of 160 laboratories and service companies—primarily European—specializing in testing, inspection, and certification of water, soil, and air analyses. The Normec-Abiolab laboratory in Montbonnot focuses primarily on chemical and biological analyses in the fields of health, the environment, and the agri-food industry. The company’s Research and Development department provides expertise in molecular biology and virology, as well as access to its platform

As part of the ANR BioRESPIR project (Bioaerosol Removal by ElectroStatic Precipitator for Indoor Air Remediation), we are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher (M/F) to join the R&D department at the Normec-Abiolab laboratory as well as the STEP team at the LOCIE laboratory. The project aims to provide new insights into the ability of electrofiltration processes to collect and inactivate bioaerosols, using innovative ionization methods with low emissions of secondary species. The project will involve conducting static and dynamic experiments on the LOCIE laboratory’s ventilation benches to measure the survival of microorganisms in the innovative electrofiltration processes developed at the laboratory. The laboratory experimental phase will be supplemented by measurement campaigns in indoor environments (hospials, water treatment unit, schools) to assess the impact of electrofiltration systems on real bioaerosols and to expand knowledge regarding the internal emissions of these bioaerosols. The measured parameters, along with the survival of exposed microorganisms, will enable a better characterization of the biocidal efficacy of ionization processes, thereby identifying them as a promising technological solution for reducing the biological load of aerosols in indoor air.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing methodologies to measure the survival of microorganisms in electrostatic precipitator collectors, with a particular focus on the survival of microorganisms used as models for studying viruses. Several methodologies and test benches for exposure to microorganisms exist within the LOCIE laboratory and can be used to study viruses such as adenoviruses or noroviruses, which are responsible for gastroenteritis outbreaks. In parallel, field campaigns lasting several weeks in hospital settings will be conducted to collect bioaerosols present in indoor air and to characterize the biological diversity of the assessed environments in collaboration with hospital hygiene departments. This research will be integrated into the various tasks of the ANR BioRESPIR project, which began in late 2025.

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in bioprocess engineering, microbiology or virology. The candidate will work in collaboration with researchers at LOCIE and engineers in the R&D department of NORMEC-Abiolab. They must have a real interest in microbiological issues in indoor environments, with a keen interest in laboratory experimentation and fieldwork. Strong knowledge of aerosol microbiology and molecular biology analysis techniques is required, along with organisational skills enabling the candidate to integrate into a research project. Fluency in spoken and written French and English is essential.

Specific Requirements

The successful candidate will be assigned to the LOCIE laboratory at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc. As part of their duties, they will spend 80% of their working time at the Normec-Abiolab laboratory on the Montbonnot-Saint-Martin site near Grenoble (38), but regular communication—particularly via videoconference is planned, along with a monthly trip to the LOCIE laboratory on the Bourget-du-Lac site (73).