PhD in Biophysics: Single-Cell Microfluidics & Optics

Organisation/Company INSA-toulouse Department TBI Research Field Physics » Biophysics Technology » Biotechnology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 May 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number ANR-25-CE Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Bioreactors are multiphase systems in which mass transfer between phases plays an important role in determining biological reaction rates. Microorganisms growing in such industrial bioreactors face changing conditions such as variations in oxygen availability, nutrient concentration, pH, and temperature. While industrial bioreactors operate under highly dynamic conditions, the physiological responses occurring at the single-cell level remain largely unexplored. This PhD project will develop cutting-edge experimental tools to reveal microbial adaptation and metabolic dynamics at the single-cell scale, bridging the gap between cellular physiology and bioreactor-scale processes.

You will work at the intersection of optics, microfluidics, and cell biology to develop an original platform combining holographic optical tweezers, which trap and manipulate several individual cells without contact, with a microfluidic chip that delivers controlled environmental conditions, and laser-induced fluorescence to measure oxygen, CO₂, and pH directly around living cells. Your experimental work will unfold across three interconnected phases: (i) measuring metabolic activity with innovative optical technique (ii) tracking growth & morphology under step-change environments, and (iii) probing dynamic responses by exposing single cells to periodic fluctuations mimicking real bioreactor gradients. The data you generate will directly feed into bioreactor simulation models developed in parallel by a second PhD in the group.

Where to apply

E-mail

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Technology » Biotechnology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Biophysics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

This PhD sits at a rare/unique intersection: optical physics, microfluidics, fluid mechanics, (bio)chemical engineering, and microbiology. Missing skills can be acquired: the group has the expertise to train you on microfluidic fabrication, fluorescence techniques, image processing and cell biology. A taste for coding is also essential: data acquisition, image processing, and signal analysis will all require scripting throughout the project.

Gross salary abour 2300 /month, additionnal extra 200€/month is case of teaching (no extra duration of PhD though)

Selection process

Rolling basis until deadline of May, 15th.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Toulouse Biotechnology Institute, Bio & Chemical Engineering Country France City TOULOUSE Postal Code 31077 Street INSA TOULOUSE / 135 avenue de Rangueil Geofield