Postdoctoral Researcher Position | CEA Saclay – IRAMIS/NIMBE/LICSEN

Affiliation: CEA-CNRS UMR 3685

Research Area: Antimicrobial Surfaces | Surface Chemistry | Materials Science | Surface Modification | Inkjet Printing | Bioactive Materials | Bacterial Biofilms

The IRAMIS (Institut Rayonnement Matière de Saclay), NIMBE/LICSEN at CEA Saclay, is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher for a research project focused on the development of antimicrobial surfaces using printing technologies to help prevent food-borne infections associated with bacterial biofilm formation on contaminated equipment surfaces.

The project combines surface chemistry, materials science, electrochemical grafting, microstructuration, and inkjet printing to develop functionalized stainless-steel surfaces capable of disrupting bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation at an early stage.

What You’ll Work On

Antimicrobial Surface Development

Develop innovative antimicrobial surfaces designed to reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on stainless-steel surfaces.

Bioactive Molecule Grafting

Work with bioactive benzothiazole molecules that are chemically derivatized to enable their immobilization onto material surfaces.

Develop and investigate different surface topographies to understand their influence on bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Printing Technologies

Use inkjet microprinting and related printing approaches to create structured and functional antimicrobial surfaces.

Electrochemical Surface Modification

Apply electrochemical grafting approaches for the functionalization of stainless-steel surfaces.

Biological Evaluation

Evaluate functionalized surfaces to determine which combinations of surface chemistry and topography provide improved resistance to bacterial adhesion.

The appointed Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for:

• Developing antimicrobial surfaces using printing technologies.
• Functionalizing stainless-steel surfaces with bioactive benzothiazole molecules.
• Performing surface modification and characterization.
• Developing and optimizing formulations for surface printing.
• Applying inkjet microprinting techniques to create functional surface structures.
• Exploring electrochemical grafting strategies for surface functionalization.
• Designing and producing different surface microstructures and topographies.
• Investigating the relationship between surface properties and bacterial adhesion.
• Evaluating functionalized surfaces for their antimicrobial performance.
• Studying the early stages of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.
• Characterizing surface morphology, chemistry, and functionality.
• Comparing different surface topographies and functionalization strategies.
• Analyzing and interpreting experimental results.
• Contributing to scientific discussions within the research team.
• Preparing research reports, scientific publications, and presentations.
• Collaborating with researchers working across materials science, surface chemistry, and biological applications.

The research project focuses on developing antimicrobial surfaces for applications related to food safety, particularly the prevention of bacterial biofilm formation on equipment surfaces.

The major areas of work include:

• Antimicrobial surface engineering
• Surface modification
• Surface chemistry
• Electrochemical grafting
• Ink formulation
• Stainless-steel surface functionalization
• Surface characterization
• Bacterial adhesion
• Biofilm formation
• Materials science
• Interface between materials and biology

The project combines chemical functionalization and physical surface structuring to investigate how surface properties can be engineered to interfere with bacterial adhesion during the early stages of biofilm formation.

Applicants should have: