Senior Research Engineer - Light & Brain

EssilorLuxottica; Paris; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

EssilorLuxottica in Paris seeks a Senior Research Engineer with a physics/optics background to advance non-image-forming light effects on brain function. You will lead biosignal acquisition integrations and coordinate interdisciplinary work at the Light Research team.

The role requires hands-on experience with EEG/EOG, biosignal processing, and device synchronization, plus strong programming in Python and MATLAB. Fluency in English is essential; mentoring junior researchers is valued.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, optics, biophysics or equivalent engineering degree with hands-on light-biology R&D experience.
• Post-doctoral or 3+ years in applied physics or photonics in life-science context.
• Expertise in light characterization and photobiological metrics.
• Experience integrating biosignal acquisition hardware/software for synchronized setups.
• Strong programming in Python and/or MATLAB; C/C++/C# with 5+ years.
• Experience with temporal synchronization of light delivery and biosignal devices.
• Experience running human experiments with light exposure and psychophysiological measurements.
• Knowledge of non-image-forming effects of light on physiology and brain function.
• Independent, rigorous, solution-oriented; good English.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C/C++

Biosignal acquisition

Hardware integration

Data analysis

Device synchronization

Clinical protocols

Mentoring

English

Education

PhD in physics/optics/biophysics or equivalent engineering degree

Tools

EEG

EOG

Eye-tracking

Galvanic skin response

LabVIEW

Real-time data acquisition

Job description

As part of its new ambition, EssilorLuxottica aims to position itself as an integrated MedTech platform, strengthening its leadership in Vision Health and leveraging the visual system as a source of biological and functional information. This approach supports the development of new products and services dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, and prediction of ocular and systemic diseases, within a personalized, preventive, data-driven paradigm grounded in neuroscience, digital health and artificial intelligence.

The Neuroscience & Medical Research department designs upstream innovations across several strategic domains for the Group. This work is built on robust scientific validation and transversal innovation initiatives at the interface of biomedical research, digital technologies, and medical devices. The Light Research team develops expertise on light-biology interactions across three complementary research domains: the visual system, non-image-forming brain functions, and photobiomodulation at the cellular and tissue level. In the Light Research team, the present role focuses on the effects of light operating independently of conscious visual perception — circadian entrainment, alertness, sleep, cognitive performance, and their emerging links to neurodegeneration — mediated primarily through ipRGCs and melanopsin signaling from the retina to the brain.

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Research Engineer with a strong background in physics and optical engineering, hands‑on expertise in biosignal acquisition and integration, and a solid command of the scientific landscape of non-image-forming effects of light on the brain.

ABOUT YOU

At EssilorLuxottica we value honest and transparent communication. We understand that effective and versatile teams are created by bringing together high-performing individuals with diverse backgrounds and enabling them to grow and deliver through a collaborative spirit and reflective exploration. If you recognize yourself in this, welcome to the ride.

Essential Requirements & Qualifications

• PhD in physics, optics, or biophysics — or equivalent engineering degree with significant hands‑on experience in light-biology research in an industrial or academic R&D context.
• Post-doctoral academic or R&D experience (at least 3 years) in applied physics or photonics in a life-science or biomedical science context or related fields.
• Strong expertise in light characterization, photobiological metrics, and measurement.
• Significant experience with hardware/software integration for biosignal acquisition in experimental settings: ability to design and run setups combining controlled light stimulation with simultaneous recording of biosignals such as EEG, EOG, eye‑tracking, galvanic skin response, or similar.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB, C/C++/C# (at least 5 years): experience writing code for device synchronization, real‑time data acquisition pipelines, and biosignal processing.
• Experience with temporal synchronization of light delivery systems and biosignal acquisition devices, ensuring accurate event marking across modalities and strong background in data analysis.
• Experience running human experimental protocols involving light exposure and psychophysiological or neurophysiological measurements, ideally with patients in clinical environments.
• Strong knowledge of the non-image-forming effects of light on human physiology and brain function: circadian entrainment (ipRGCs, melanopsin, SCN), acute alerting and cognitive effects, and emerging evidence on light and neurodegenerative risk.
• Independent work with a high level of scientific rigor and quality awareness.
• A positive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Proficiency in English, both written and verbal (scientific communication).
• Experience supervising or mentoring at least one junior researcher, engineer, or PhD student, at the interface of physics-biology.