Thèse en physique du vivant (M/F)

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research; France; On-site; EUR 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS – Institut Lumière Matière is seeking a First Stage Researcher (R1) to study the mechanics of cellular monolayers using a novel in vitro microstretcher system. The role combines biology and physics in an interdisciplinary biophysics group with opportunities for collaboration both nationally and internationally.

You will culture cells in hydrogel microchannels, adjust tissue nematic order, image live tissue, and analyze lumen deformation and actin orientation, alongside pharmacological

Qualifications

• M2 student in physics, biophysics, mechanics, soft matter, bioengineering or related field.
• Interest in living systems and willingness to perform experimental work.
• Willingness to learn across physics and biology.

Responsibilities

• Culture cell monolayers in hydrogel microchannels and operate the microstretcher.
• Tune the initial nematic order of the tissue.
• Image the tissue live and quantify lumen deformation, cell shape and actin orientation fields, including topological defects.
• Probe biological origin of the response using pharmacological inhibitors and immunostaining.

Skills

Fluorescence microscopy

Image analysis

Soft matter

Microfluidics

Education

M2 student in physics/biophysics/mechanics/soft matter/bioengineering

Tools

Python

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Institut Lumière Matière Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 9 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

Close mentoring: daily lab presence of your supervisor, a weekly one-to-one meeting and lab meetings.

Hands on technical training: biomaterials, organ-on-chip engineering, live imaging, quantitative image analysis, active-matter physics.

A welcoming team: a interdisciplinary environment within a well-equipped biophysics group with close links to the soft-matter and active-rheology experts of ILM.

Collaborations: national and international.

This project aims to study the role of activity and anisotropy in the mechanics of cellular monolayers. Activity is found in systems which are out-of-equilibrium. They consume energy at the microscopic level, such as ATP hydrolysis in cells, which allows them to generate active stresses, such as contractile forces in the acto-myosin network in cells. Anisotropy is found in systems which have elongated particles, or cells, leading to different properties along the X or Y direction. Traditional mechanical characterization of biological tissues considers them as passive and isotropic materials. This project will close this gap using a novel in vitro system: the microstretcher.

The microstretcher is a microfluidic system which allows the application of tension at the tissue scale while manipulating the cellular activity and anisotropy (Dessalles et al.,Nature Physics 2025). It is composed of a cellular monolayer, such as endothelial or epithelial cells, lining the surface of a cylindrical channel inside a soft hydrogel Dessalles et al., Biofabrication 2021). When the fluid pressure is increased in the lumen, the diameter of the cylinder increases and the cells are placed under tension.

To that end, you will perform the first long-term rheology tests of curved epithelial (MDCK, MCF-10A) and endothelial (HUVEC) monolayers, and connect their mechanical response to their orientational order. You will:

• Culture cell monolayers in hydrogel microchannels and run the microstretcher.
• Tune the initial nematic order of the tissue.
• Image the tissue live and quantify lumen deformation, cell shape and actin orientation fields, including topological defects.
• Probe the biological origin of the response with pharmacological inhibitors and immunostaining.

Candidate profile

• Required: M2 student (or equivalent) in physics, biophysics, mechanics, soft matter, bioengineering or a related field; curiosity for living systems; enjoyment of experimental work.
• Appreciated: cell culture, microfluidics or microfabrication (PDMS, hydrogels), fluorescence microscopy, image analysis and data processing (Python), notions of continuum mechanics, rheology or liquid crystals. We will train you.
• Soft skills: rigour, dexterity, patience with long experiments, troubleshooting skills, autonomy, curiosity for interdisciplinary work at the physics-biology interface.
• Working language: English (French not required); international students are welcome.

Motivation and willingness to learn across physics and biology matter most. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to equal opportunities.