Université PSL
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5 days ago
PhD student in Soft Matter for Project PlasticPhase (MSCA COFUND) ESPCI Paris - PSL University in France
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Chemistry
Funding
Available
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Country
France
University
Université PSL
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About this position
The PRISM programme at PSL University is offering a fully funded PhD fellowship in sustainable soft matter science, starting 1 March 2027. This project, PlasticPhase: Micro- and Nanoplastics as Modulators of Phase Separation and Protein Aggregation, is hosted at ESPCI Paris - PSL University within the CPCV UMR8228 research unit and linked to ENS - PSL. The programme is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND and supports interdisciplinary, international doctoral training.
The research will investigate how micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) influence biomolecular condensates, liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), and protein aggregation. The project combines soft matter physics, physical chemistry, polymer/colloid science, and biophysics to study direct particle-condensate interactions and indirect stress-response effects. The work uses engineered protein scaffolds, UBQLN2, tunable nanoparticle libraries, and advanced techniques such as live-cell imaging, FRAP, microrheology, and in vitro nucleation/coarsening measurements.
The doctoral candidate will join a multidisciplinary environment with expertise in synthetic biology, polymer chemistry, and cell biophysics. The project includes international and intersectoral dimensions, with collaborations involving protein aggregation biophysics and industry-linked research. The broader PRISM programme provides training in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, career development, transferable skills, mobility opportunities, and secondments.
Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree or equivalent that formally allows doctoral study, no prior doctorate, and compliance with the MSCA transnational mobility rule. Applicants from non-English-speaking countries must have English at C1 level; no French is required. The programme offers around €2,200 net per month plus possible family and mobility allowances, with the doctoral contract administered by ESPCI Paris. Applications must be submitted through the PRISM website by 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Paris time.
Supervision is provided by Emmanuelle Marie and Zoher Gueroui, with Damien Cuvelier as co-supervisor. Candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisors before applying to discuss the project and research direction. This is an open PhD project, meaning the research plan will be further developed with the selected candidate.
Funding details
Available
What's required
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent/postgraduate degree that formally entitles them to start a doctorate. A doctoral degree makes applicants ineligible. The project seeks a highly motivated and intellectually curious candidate with a strong background in soft matter and a deep interest in biological systems, trained in the theoretical and experimental foundations of complex fluids and colloids, and able to understand out-of-equilibrium and mesoscale systems. Candidates should be comfortable working at the interface between physics and biology, have a genuine interdisciplinary mindset, quantitative rigor, scientific curiosity, adaptability, and motivation for collaborative cross-disciplinary research. English proficiency at C1 (Advanced) level is required for applicants from non-English-speaking countries. No French language skills are required. Applicants must satisfy the MSCA transnational mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the deadline.
How to apply
Apply in English through the PRISM website. Submit the complete application by 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Paris time. Candidates are encouraged to contact the supervisors before applying. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by videoconference.
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