PhD position in "Exploring Skin Birefringence with THz Frequency Domain Spectroscopy" - MSCA Cofund SEED programme

2 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

IMT Atlantique

Department

Doctoral division

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

France

Application Deadline

14 Feb 2024 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

HE / MSCA COFUND

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101126644

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description
The PhD position is offered under a standard track (30 months at IMT Atlantique + 3 months at Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy (possibly) + 3 months at Terakalis, Montpellier, France (possibly)
1.1. Domain and scientific/technical context

Skin cancer, often caused by sunlight overexposure, necessitates annual awareness campaigns. Among skin cancers, cutaneous melanoma (CM) stands out as the most serious type, experiencing a 3% incidence increase in France from 2006 to 2015 (International Agency for Research on Cancer). CM's visibility allows potential detection by dermatologists or patients themselves, yet late diagnoses persist, often yielding life-threatening consequences. Consequently, the development of sensors for early skin cancer detection is a critical public health concern. Terahertz (THz) spectrometers are promising noninvasive tools for diagnosing skin-related conditions like skin cancer and burns. They operate in the spectral region between microwaves and optical waves, delivering higher resolution and greater tissue penetration compared to the former and latter [1]. Their sensitivity to water dynamics, a key indicator of skin health, makes them well-suited for probing skin tissues.

1.2. Scientific/technical challenges

Accurate skin diagnostics rely on characterizing skin parameters, including complex permittivity profiles, using electromagnetic (EM) skin models to interpret measurements [5] [6]. The skin is made of three main layers (stratum corneum (SC), epidermis, dermis) [2]. Recently, a novel model has emerged introducing birefringence in the SC due to its layered cellular structure [2][3], improving accuracy but requiring more complex measurements.

This new model requires the development of spectrometers capable of imaging birefringent skin properties, optimizing data extraction from measurements. Prior to in vivo imaging, these spectrometers require fine-tuning and testing using skin phantoms [4], which are proxies fabricated to replicate skin properties. They offer precision and replicability.

Therefore, achieving precise in vivo skin diagnostics necessitates spectrometers capturing intricate data while remaining user-friendly. This effort involves innovative THz phantoms serving as benchmarks for a new spectrometer.

1.3. Considered methods, targeted results and impacts

The objectives of the LONGITUDE project will be achieved through the completion of trans-disciplinary work packages: 1/fabricate birefringent skin phantoms, 2/characterize them with a novel frequency spectrometer, and 3/map measurement data using a realistic computational model.

This project aims to deliver two significant contributions. First, it will introduce a new method for fabricating realistic birefringent skin phantoms, contributing to the study of EM wave-skin interactions and potentially transforming skin-related diagnostics. Second, it will establish a novel computational and experimental framework for THz spectroscopy, enhancing anisotropic material characterization.

The proposed solution addresses limitations in fast skin cancer detection by imaging skin in vivo. The project focuses on accurate skin property characterization via reproducible skin phantoms, which will be beneficial for in vivo skin imaging and compact medical spectrometers.

1.4. Environment (partners, places, specific tools and hardware)

The project will be led in a multidisciplinary environment, offering expertise and facilities. Maïna Sinou, a research engineer at IMT Atlantique, oversees prototyping of microwave and optical components. Her involvement in ARAGO, enables access to cleanrooms specialized for optical and microwave technologies. She will provide her cleanroom expertise, including spin coating, polymer preparation, and microscopy, crucial for Work Package 1. Moreover, this project will leverage the help of Camilla Kärnfelt, a researcher in the Microwave department, specialist in LTCC design and screen printing, for manufacturing layered phantoms.

Finally, I have access to the millimeter wave lab facilities, which has a spectrometer operating in the 0.22-0.33THz frequency range. I have already performed state-of-the-art skin phantom characterization in this specific frequency range. These experts and facilities ensure that the PhD student will be well surrounded to complete the objectives of the project.

2. Partners and study periods
2.1. Supervisors and study periods

• IMT Atlantique: [[https://labsticc.fr/en/directory/henry-clement ][Assoc . Prof. Clément Henry_], IMT Atlantique, Brest, France

  The PhD student will stay 30 months at Prof. Henry's lab.

• International partner: Prof. Francesco P. Andriulli , Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy

  The PhD student will stay three months (probably) at Prof. Andriulli's lab.

• Industrial partner:

  Dr. Antoine Guille , Terakalis, Montpellier, France

  The PhD student will stay three months (probably) at Dr. Guille's lab.

2.2. Hosting organizations
2.2.1. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique , internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading French technological university under the supervision of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technology. IMT Atlantique maintains privileged relationships with major national and international industrial partners, as well as with a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent staff, 2,200 students, including 300 doctoral students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications each year and raises 18€ million in research funds.

2.2.2. Terakalis

Terakalis  is the result of a technological partnership started in 2012 with the Charles Coulomb laboratory (L2C), a mixed CNRS-University of Montpellier unit. The field of TeraHertz electromagnetic waves (100 Ghz-10THz) is at the heart of this collaboration.

Based on internationally-recognised research and several patents, Terakalis aims to design and develop components, mainly terahertz sensors and sources, and measuring and imaging systems in the terahertz field. The exceptional capabilities of these waves that are both penetrating and endowed with spectroscopic sensitivity, make our systems particularly relevant for inspecting defects and characterising physico-chemical properties at the heart of the material.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Benefits
A PhD programme of high quality training : 4 reasons to apply

• SEED is a programme of excellence that is aware of its responsibilities: to provide a programme of high quality training to develop conscientious researchers, including training in responsible research and ethics. 
• SEED’s unique approach of providing interdisciplinary, international and cross-sector experience is tailored to work in a career-focused manner to enhance employability and market integration.
• SEED offers a competitive funding scheme, aiming for an average monthly salary of EUR 2,000 net per ESR, topped by additional mobility allowances as well as optional family allowances.
• SEED is a forward-looking programme that actively engages with current issues and challenges, providing research opportunities addressing industrial and academic relevant themes.

Eligibility criteria

Eligibility criteria. In accordance with MSCA rules, SEED will open to applicants without any conditions of nationality nor age criteria. SEED applies the MSCA mobility standards and necessary background. Eligible candidates must fulfil the following criteria

• Mobility rule: Candidates must show transnational mobility by having not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the deadline of the co-funded program's call (Jan 31, 2024 for Call#1). Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Early-stage researchers (ESR): Candidates must have a master’s degree or an equivalent diploma at the time of their enrolment and must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career. Moreover, they must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.
  Extensions may be granted (under certain conditions) for maternity leave, paternity leave, as well as long-term illness or national service.

Selection process

The selection process is described on the guide for applicants available here: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed/documents

Additional comments

Applications can only be provided through the application system available under the SEED website: https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/seed

Website for additional job details

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IMT Atlantique

Country

France

City

Brest

Street

Campus de Brest Technopôle Brest-Iroise

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Contact

City

Brest

Website

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/research-innovation/phd/seed

Street

Campus de Brest Technopôle Brest-Iroise

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED