Postdoctoral researcher in advanced microscopy (M/F)

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research; France; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS Centre de biologie structurale in France seeks a researcher to develop a novel microscopy method to image water surfaces. You will design and assemble an Atomic Force Microscope integrated within a Langmuir trough, enabling high-resolution characterization of liquid films.

The project involves collaboration with INSP Paris (Sorbonne); you will push beyond commercial AFM, crafting an instrument capable of observing phenomena currently unseen, supported by a strong background in SPM and

Qualifications

• Experience in Scanning Probe Microscopy.
• Master and PhD in physics, engineering, or biophysics.
• Strong interest in instrumentation and techniques development.
• Publications demonstrating relevant scientific experience.
• Excellent English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and build an AFM integrated within a Langmuir trough for high-resolution imaging of liquid interfaces.
• Develop fast XYZ scanner and optical beam deflection system.
• Collaborate with INSP Paris, Sorbonne on integration with beamlines.
• Advance microscopy by observing phenomena currently impossible to visualize.

Skills

Experience in Scanning Probe Microsc

English communication skills

LabVIEW

Python

MATLAB

Education

Master & PhD in physics, engineering, or biophysics

Tools

FreeCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Centre de biologie structurale Research Field Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 3 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 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

What is the smallest thing we can see on the surface of water?
The surface of water is the prevalent interface on our planet. Yet, even the most advanced microscopy techniques does not provide nanoscale images of its surface. Yes, reciprocal-space methods such as X-Ray or neutron scattering & reflectivity can provide an indirect structural information, but it is an averaged one.

This project aims to develop a novel microscopy approach capable of directly imaging the surface of water with nanometric resolution. We will design and construct an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) integrated within a Langmuir trough, permitting high-resolution and real-time characterization of films directly on liquid surfaces.

We will design and assemble an Atomic Force Microscope to image the surface of water including a fast XYZ scanner, optical beam deflection system, photothermal excitation, and electronics. AFM integration within a Langmuir trough will be carried out in collaboration with the INSP (Paris, Sorbonne).

In this position, you will go beyond being a typical AFM user using a commercial microscope. Instead, you will contribute to advancing AFM and microscopy by designing and developing an instrument capable of observing phenomena that are currently impossible to visualize.

CBS is a scientific Institute dedicated to research at the forefront of biophysics and structural biology. It offers cutting-edge facilities in these fields. The research of our group is focused on the development and use of correlative advanced microscopies (AFM with single molecule fluorescence microscopy and/or X-Ray microscopies and spectroscopies) to decipher the molecular mechanisms associated to the organization and remodeling of biological and soft matter interfaces. The team has a longstanding record in the training of young apprentices and the activity of mentoring early career researchers is part of the position. Dr. Luca Costa has already designed and developed several Atomic Force Microscopes for diverse applications, spanning soft matter and coupled to fluorescence for Bio-imaging to integration with synchrotron beamlines for correlative X-Ray and AFM experiments.

Motivated and ambitious candidates are encouraged to apply. We require:

• o Experience in Scanning Probe Microscopy
• o A Master & PhD degree in physics, engineering, or biophysics
• o A high level of interest in instrumentation, protocols & techniques development
• o Relevant scientific experience supported by publication record
• o Excellent English communication skills

Experience in Optics, Electronics (especially, Lock-In Amplifiers, Phase-Locked Loops, PID controllers, Oscilloscopes, Function generators & Multimeters). Experience with FreeCAD or equivalent (i.e. Solidworks). Computational skills (i.e. Labview, Python, Matlab).