Electrochemical Research Engineer M/F

Job description: Diabetes is a major public health problem, affecting 1 in 11 adults by 2021. Ten per cent of these patients suffer from type 1 diabetes (T1D), which is a chronic metabolic disease linked to the active autoimmune destruction of insulin-secreting β cells in the islets of Langerhans by the activation of T cells. Despite technological advances over the last few decades to improve the management of diabetes, such as glucose monitoring, insulin pumps and closed-loop systems, there is no cure for T1DM. One therapeutic strategy proposes transplanting donor pancreatic islets into patients with type 1 diabetes in order to restore their capacity to secrete insulin, thereby re-establishing endogenous glycaemic regulation without continuous self-monitoring of plasma glucose and without daily injections of exogenous insulin, thereby improving patients' quality of life. Our objectives are therefore to design, prototype and validate a microfluidic platform with monitoring and multisensing approach enabling the study of interactions between transplanted islets and immune cells isolated from the islet recipient, as a predictive tool for clinicians of islet transplant rejection and immune relapse and/or loss of efficacy of immunosuppressive treatment. The candidate will contribute to the development of the integration of electrochemical sensors in microfluidic systems applied to the field of organ-on-chip, including microfluidic chips, biological object culture modules and associated instrumentation. Your activities will include: ·       Consideration of the integration of electrochemical sensors into microfluidic chips, taking into account constraints relating to biology, materials, manufacturing methods, instrumentation, etc. ·       Setting up a test environment ·       Evaluation of sensor performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity ·       Experimentation with or without a biological object ·       Analysis and synthesis of results ·       Technological and scientific survey The candidate will also contribute to the promotion of transversality with other CEA laboratories. In a multidisciplinary context, he/she will maintain close relations with the project partners, in particular experts in cell biology, and will work closely with microfluidists and biologists to move towards the integration of sensors in systems for culturing biological objects. He or she will also be able to draw on our teams' expertise in biology, microfluidics and surface grafting. The candidate will also be required to publish his/her work and register patents.

Institute description: Within the DTIS, the multidisciplinary team at the Materials for Sensors and Delivery Laboratory (LMCD) is interested in the synthesis, formulation and shaping of innovative biomaterials as well as electrochemical or gas sensors for applications in biology and health.

Your profile: De formation ingénieur (MSc) et/ou docteur (PhD) avec une spécialité en électrochimie, chimie analytique ou physico-chimie, vous avez une forte expertise dans les capteurs électrochimiques, biocapteurs, procédés de fabrication et les matériaux. Des connaissances en biopolymères, techniques de fabrication, design ou microfluidique sont un plus ainsi qu’une expérience dans la thématique d’organes sur puce. Attiré(e) par un environnement pluridisciplinaire et l’innovation technologique, vous faites preuve d’engagement et de culture du résultat dans la réalisation de vos projets. Vous êtes force de proposition, faites preuve d’une grande autonomie et d’une forte capacité d’adaptation pour s’adapter aux différents projets. Motivé(e) par le travail expérimental (paillasse), vous savez travailler en équipe. Un excellent relationnel est indispensable pour interagir et collaborer avec des interlocuteurs aux profils très variés. Rigueur, dynamisme, sens de l'organisation, et esprit d'équipe seront particulièrement appréciés. La maîtrise de l’anglais est nécessaire. Si ce poste correspond à vos compétences et attentes professionnelles, merci d'envoyer votre candidature (CV, lettre de motivation et références) à : yohann.thomas@cea.fr