Organisation/Company CNRS Department Centre de Biologie Structurale Research Field Physics » Surface physics Physics » Applied physics Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 13:00 (Europe/Rome) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number ANR-24-CE42-4029 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
What is the smallest thing we can see on the surface of water?
The surface of water is the prevalent interface on our planet. Yet, even the most advanced microscopy techniques do notprovide nanoscale images of itssurface. Yes, reciprocal-space methods such as X-Ray or neutron scattering & reflectivity can provide indirect structural information, but it is an averaged one.
This project aims to develop a novel microscopy approach capable of directly imaging the surface of water with nanometric resolution.We will design and construct an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)integrated within a Langmuir trough, permitting high-resolution and real-time characterization of films directly on liquid surfaces.
The position lies at the intersection of physics and engineering, with applications spanning soft matter, chemistry, biophysics, and biology. Indeed, interfaces between air and water are crucial for the self-assembly of lipids, surfactants, pollutants, and peptides, playing central roles in multiple disciplines.
We have demonstrated the feasibility of AFM at liquid/liquid interfaces[ [1] , [2] ]and identified the formation of a capillary bridge between AFM probe and water as the key obstacle to imaging the air/water interface. Within this framework, we will design and assemble the AFM components, including a fast XYZ scanner, optical beam deflection system, photothermal excitation, and electronics. AFM integrationwithin a Langmuir trough will be carried outin collaboration with the INSP (Paris, Sorbonne).
In this position, you will go beyond being a typical AFM user who usesa commercial microscope. Instead, you will contribute to advancing AFM and microscopy by designing and developing an instrument capable of observing phenomena that are currently impossible tovisualize.
Thisposition is supported by the ANR 2025-2028 grant“ SLAM-AFM ”.
Scientific environment:
CBS is a scientific Institute dedicated to research at the forefront of biophysicsand structural biology. It offers cutting-edge facilities in these fields. The research of our group is focused on the development and use of correlative advanced microscopies (AFM with single molecule fluorescence microscopy and/or X-Ray microscopies and spectroscopies) to decipher the molecular mechanisms associated to the organization and remodeling of biological [ [3] , [4] , [5] ]and soft matter interfaces.The team has a longstanding record in the training of young apprentices and the activity of mentoring early career researchers is part of the position.Dr. Luca Costa has already designed and developed several Atomic Force Microscopes for diverse applications, spanning soft matter and coupled to fluorescence for Bio-imagingto integration with synchrotron beamlines for correlative X-Ray and AFM experiments [ [6] , [7] , [8] ].
[5] Santamaria, Andreas, et al. Advanced Materials Interfaces , in press (2026).
[7] Vitorino, M. V., et al. Journal of Synchrotron Radiation 23.5 (2016): 1110-1117.
Motivated and ambitious candidates are encouraged to apply. We require:
- Experience in Scanning Probe Microscopy
- A Master & PhD degree in physics, engineering, or biophysics
- A high level of interest in instrumentation, protocols & techniques development
- Relevant scientific experience supported by publication record
Specific Requirements
Experience in Optics,Electronics (especially, Lock-In Amplifiers, Phase-Locked Loops, PID controllers, Oscilloscopes, Function generators & Multimeters). Experience with FreeCAD or equivalent (i.e. Solidworks). Computationalskills (i.e. Labview, Python, Matlab).
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Physics » Surface physicsPhysics » Biophysics Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Eligibility criteria
Research excellence, experience, and initiative
Successful applicants will receive a salary according to CNRS rules(ranging from≈3000€ to 4200€ gross salary depending on previous experience). Flexible starting date.
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