Neurotechnology and Neuroengineering M/F

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Direction des ressources humaines Research Field Physics Physics » Solid state physics Physics » Surface physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 2 Sep 2026 - 17:00 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 4 Aug 2026 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

Led by the INT and the Fresnel Institute, the IngeTechNeuro junior professorship directly addresses two cross-cutting challenges in the CNRS's Contract of Objectives, Means, and Performance (COMP): “the brain” and “ instrumentation without limits,” which highlight “the considerable methodological challenges and technological barriers” to integrating the complexity of brain mechanisms and “the development of neurotechnologies (brain-machine interfaces, personalized medicine, prosthetics, etc.).” This chair would enable the development of innovative tools, in connection with “organic materials” and “functional imaging techniques,” for an advanced understanding of brain activity. It would serve as a driving force for the development of neurotechnologies and disruptive neuroengineering approaches, in synergy with advances in fundamental research (“personalized medicine, prosthetics, brain-machine interfaces”).This chair targets three impact levels: 1. At the local level, strengthening interdisciplinary synergy between neuroscience laboratories (INT, INP, INMED, INS), physics and engineering laboratories (Fresnel, IM2NP, LAM) and engineering schools (EMSE, Centrale Méditerranée, Polytech). 2. At the national level, structuring a NeuroTechnology network with collaborators in Paris Saclay and Grenoble. 3. At the international level, increasing the interdisciplinary critical mass around these approaches, which is necessary for greater visibility and attractiveness of an emerging community.This project in NeuroTechnology is therefore perfectly in line with the CNRS's strategy, addressing the challenges of the COMP and positioning the CNRS as a major player in this field.

This Junior Professor Chair (CPJ) in Neurotechnology and Engineering aims to strengthen the strategic activities of laboratories focused on developing technology to investigate and measure the brain at unprecedented scales, depths, and resolutions in behaving animals. The Chair will bolster the NeuroTechCenter, a collaborative initiative that brings together scientists from the Aix-Marseille site in Physics (Institut Fresnel, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique de Marseille, Institut Matériaux Microélectronique Nanosciences de Provence) and Neuroscience (Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (INT), Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS), Institut de Neurobiologie de la Méditerranée (INMED), among others), as well as industrial partners (Ateka-Tx, Fluigent, ElveSys).The local environment is thus conducive to hosting a Junior Professor Chair. This Chair would serve as an ideal catalyst to accelerate progress by developing research and teaching in close synergy with the site's laboratories.

In neuroscience, several technological challenges persist: accessing deep structures at high resolution; multimodal integration combining electrophysiology, photonic stimulation, and imaging on chronic implants compatible with behavior; and controlling neuronal activity in behaving animals.The purpose of this CPJ (Collaborative Project) is to advance our capabilities for recording and controlling neuronal activity—from single neurons to distributed networks in behaving animals. This CPJ will rely on cutting-edge developments in advanced optical imaging, coupled with all-optical photostimulation and electrophysiology methods for the non-invasive study of brain functions. These systems will be designed to push the boundaries of spatiotemporal resolution and investigation depth, photoacoustic imaging, and the development of endoscopes.

The teaching project will be implemented in two distinct phases, with the overarching objective of enhancing the visibility and appeal of NeuroTechnology and NeuroEngineering within Aix-Marseille Université. The initial phase will focus on embedding the project within the existing academic ecosystem by engaging with the educational programs (Master) offered by NeuroSchool, as well as those of Centrale Marseille, EMSE, and PolyTech Marseille. This integration aims to leverage and complement the current training opportunities available to students. Subsequently, the selected candidate will be responsible for advancing a tailored educational offering, with a particular emphasis on contributing to the establishment of a dedicated master's program in NeuroTechnology and NeuroEngineering. The curriculum development will be supported by local initiatives, including the TIGER project on the Saint-Charles campus and the fablab development project on the Timone campus, both spearheaded by CISAM+. These platforms will provide students with a hands-on environment conducive to the design and prototyping of neurotechnological devices.

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project's socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific. There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability.