Réf ABG-139921 Sujet de Thèse
24/07/2026 Contrat doctoral
Nantes Université
Lieu de travail
NANTES - Pays de la Loire - France
Intitulé du sujet
PhD in chemistry (M/F) – Photoactive organic radicals for photoswitching and sensing magnetic hyperthermia
Champs scientifiques
Chimie
Description du sujet
The research work will address challenging issues regarding the synthesis of fluorescent and photochromic organic radicals to manufacture and trigger dual nanoassemblies, endowed with magnetic and optical activity, in the framework of on-command nanomedicine.
Context. Magnetic hyperthermia has appeared as a particularly attractive tool in nanomedicine for on-command drug delivery and activation of heat-triggered processes to fight against diseases. It involves magnetic nanoparticles that generate heat due to energy losses upon periodic alignment along an applied alternating magnetic field. Although numerous nano-objects have been manufactured up to now, the spatial diffusion and time kinetics of the released heat still remain unclear, which requires adapted probes. In this respect, photoactive p-conjugated organic units display the great advantages to sense or vary the nanoparticle’s magnetic moment by exploiting the sensitivity of their excited state to the electronic and thermal surroundings. We will thus investigate how light could impact the magnetic properties at short ns and sub-ns timescales and conversely how magnetic switching could influence the dynamics of photoexcited states, which would bring considerable progress in the design of performing materials. The carried studies could present perspectives in the field of spin-based information encoding.
Research studies. The multiple goal of the planned researches will be to design, elaborate and investigate hybrid nanoassemblies, composed of organic radicals, endowed with photoactive units (fluorescent, photochromic), and strong affinity toward superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Particular attention will be paid to retention and reproducibility of the properties after self-assembly, which will require precise molecular engineering as well as size control of the nano-objects by resorting to microfluidic synthesis, allowing for additional post-processing like surface functionalization. This work will be carried out in the framework of interdisciplinary projects, funded by the French Research National Agency (ANR), addressing high-level challenges in light-matter interactions. It will involve strong collaborations with chemists at Sorbonne University (PHENIX), photophysicists at ENS Paris, physicists at Strasbourg University (IPCMS) and theoreticians at Perpignan University (PROMES), respectively experts in nanomagnetism and magnetic nanoparticles, ultrafast spectroscopic studies, ultrafast spin dynamics and theory of heat and optical coupling in magnetic nanoparticles and nanoassemblies.
Prise de fonction :
01/12/2026
Nature du financement
Contrat doctoral
Précisions sur le financement
Présentation établissement et labo d'accueil
Nantes Université
Nantes Université is a recognized institution and a major research center in Western France. With 42,000 students and 3,200 lecturers and researchers, Nantes Université seeks to meet today's major challenges. Located near the Atlantic coast and 2 hours from Paris by train, Nantes is a large city regularly ranked for its quality of life and well-known for its cultural scene.
PhD students in physics, chemistry and geosciences receive training in internationally recognized laboratories associated with the CNRS. They also benefit from a wage of €2 300 gross per month. Within the Graduate School 3MG, students are able to attend courses dedicated to research and innovation and take part in events and meetings in France or abroad to develop their professional network.
Site web :
https://english.univ-nantes.fr/research/doctoral-schools/phd-in-the-graduate-school-3mg
Etablissement délivrant le doctorat
Nantes Université
Profil du candidat
The recruited candidate is thus expected to possess a strong working-together spirit, be open-minded and ready for interdisciplinarity, and finally have a solid background in organic synthesis and molecular physical chemistry. Other expertise will NOT be examined.
Date limite de candidature
15/10/2026
