Background and Mission
Emerging in-body bioelectronics and biosensors offer powerful capabilities for medicine, clinical research, and basic science. Precision medicine requires precision diagnostics, and biotelemetric microimplants make it possible to yield more precise information than ever before about one’s health. Many of required technological advancement is already in place thanks to advances in a variety of disciplines. However, modern microimplants suffer from the compromise between the size of the battery and the duration of the experiment or functionality of the device. Moreover, the battery replacement requires going through surgery. Therefore, the efficient through-body wireless localization and powering became a grand challenge. The qualified candidate will work towards solving the scientific questions in this field. This project builds on the unique scientific and technical expertise of the IETR laboratory (CNRS) in the fields of wave physics, complex radiating structures, and bioelectromagnetics.
The mission of this project is to, first, contribute to the study the fundamental problem of electromagnetic energy exchange between an on-body radiating structures and a microimplant in a complex biological environment and, second, to develop novel in- and on-body antenna systems for localization and adaptive wireless powering. In close collaboration with other team members, the candidate will also contribute to the prototype development, manufacturing, and testing. Last generation of high-performance workstations with GPU accelerators and advanced numerical solvers will be used to handle electromagnetic analysis. State-of-the-art manufacturing and measurement facilities of IETR will help with the prototyping and testing. The final system will be characterized in tissue-equivalent models as well as in vivo through established collaborations of our group. Finally, the successful candidate will be expected to present the results of the work in high-profile journals and conferences.
Recent relevant works of our team:
- D. Nikolayev et al., “Optimal radiation of body-implanted capsules,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 122(10), 2019.
- D. Nikolayev et al., “Reconfigurable dual-band capsule-conformal antenna array for in-body bioelectronics,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag. 70(5), 2022.
- M. Davy and A. Z. Genack “Selectively exciting quasi-normal modes in open disordered systems,” Nat. Commun. 9(1), 2018.
- P. del Hougne et al., “Precise localization of multiple noncooperative objects in a disordered cavity by wave front shaping,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 121(6), 2018.
Required Background
- M.Sc. (or equivalent) degree.
- Competence in electromagnetics and wave physics; knowledge of microwave and antenna engineering.
- Numerical EM solvers (e.g., COMSOL, CST, or HFSS), programming skills (Python or MATLAB, basics of FPGA programming), and EM measurement equipment (VNA, etc.).
- Fluency in English and strong writing skills.
Advantages
The qualified candidate will be part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team in an international, highly collaborative, and stimulating environment. He/she will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops, high-performance computing facilities, continuous training and receive a competitive salary. In addition:
- approx. 7 weeks of annual leave per year + possibility of exceptional leave (moving home, etc.),
- generous statutory benefits: the French national health coverage, retirement/pension funds, etc.,
- possibility of subsidized meals and partial reimbursement of public transport costs,
- location in one of the most attractive cities in France to live. Train connections: 1:30 to Paris and 0:45 to a seaside.
Duration: 36 months. Starting date: as soon as possible.
Location: IETR laboratory of CNRS (Rennes, Region of Brittany, France). Short-term visits to our international collaborators at EPFL and the National University of Singapore can be arranged as well.
How to Apply
Please send your applications to Dr. Denys Nikolayev and Prof. Ronan Sauleau via the CNRS intranet.
Each application should consist of (PDF format):
- a CV incl. publication list (if available) and contact details of at least two academic or professional references,
- a short 1-page motivation letter.
Denys Nikolayev 