Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) - Optics (measurement, instrument development, and simulation)

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research; France; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS Department Physique des lasers, atomes et molécules invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to advance infrared beam transport and post-desolvation of MALDI aggregates. The role combines optomechanical design, beam shaping, and experimental validation within the MALDI3.0 project (2027–2029) across Lille-based partners.

Responsibilities include defining components, shaping the beam, timing control between UV and IR lasers, and evaluating imaging sensitivity on biological tissues.

Qualifications

• Postdoctoral researcher in optics/laser physics.
• Experience in laser beam shaping and optical simulations.
• Familiarity with MALDI-MSI or mass spectrometry techniques.

Responsibilities

• Transport and shape an infrared beam to enhance post-desolvation of MALDI aggregates.
• Define optomechanical components to direct the IR beam in the spectrometer.
• Shape the beam profile and adjust focusing within the MALDI plume formation zone.
• Optimize the time intervals between the UV desorption/ionization laser and the IR post-desolvation laser.
• Test MALDI-MSI imaging performance on biological tissues.
• Combine modeling with instrumental development and experimental measurements.
• Use CODE V and/or Zemax OpticStudio for simulations and beam transport verification.
• Characterize the beam cross-section with an infrared beam analyzer and verify its propagation to the MALDI plume.

Skills

Team player

Communication and adaptability

English: C1

Tools

CODE V

Zemax OpticStudio

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Physique des lasers, atomes et molécules Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 18 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

The postdoctoral researcher's responsibilities will focus on the transport and shaping of an infrared (IR) beam to perform post-desolvation of aggregates produced by MALDI, with the aim of increasing the sensitivity of this technique to tissue proteins.

The activities will focus on shaping the IR laser beam used for desolvation, as well as optimizing the coupling parameters with the commercial MALDI spectrometer. This will involve:

• Defining the optomechanical components to direct the IR beam to the appropriate area of the spectrometer;
• Shaping the beam (top-hat profile, reduction of beam width, or even adjustable focusing within the MALDI plume formation zone);
• Optimizing the time intervals between the first UV desorption/ionization laser and the second IR post-desolvation laser on the mass spectrometry signal;
• Test the new MALDI-MSI imaging performance (reproducibility, long-term stability) on biological tissues.

The work will combine modeling with instrumental development and experimental measurements. The solutions proposed to optimize laser beam transport or focusing will be tested using CODE V and/or Zemax OpticStudio software. In parallel, the experimental work will initially consist of characterizing the cross-sectional profile of the laser beam using an infrared beam analyzer and verifying its characteristics during propagation to the MALDI plume expansion zone in order to avoid any hot spots.

As part of the MALDI3.0 project (2027–2029), funded under the 2026 “PCSI” call for proposals, the Lille-based consortium (PRISM Inserm U1192, Oscar Lambret Center, and PhLAM CNRS UMR 8523) is seeking to develop an innovative dual-laser source that will significantly increase the sensitivity of tissue protein imaging through a post-desolvation step for MALDI aggregates. The device uses a standard UV laser for the initial desorption/ionization process and an IR laser to intercept the expanding MALDI plume. This technique will improve the sensitivity of MALDI-MSI for proteins by enabling the post-desolvation of aggregates.

• - Optical and opto-mechanical design, laser beam shaping
• - Nanosecond pulsed lasers (Nd:YAG)
• - Optical simulations
• - Mass spectrometry and chemical imaging
• - English: C1 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• - Team player
• - Communication and adaptability