Context 

The FEMTO-ST research institute (CNRS) innovates in cutting-edge technological solutions for the manufacture of biomedicines (drugs whose active ingredient is of biological origin), calling on a multidisciplinary team with skills in robotics, automation, computing, microfluidics, microsystems and clean-room manufacturing. We’re looking for curious people with a good scientific background wanting to thrive in the world of research and innovation.

 Job description

The production of biopharmaceuticals requires the ability to move biological cells in a controlled manner. Among the various manipulation methods, non-contact manipulation methods using force fields [5] allow interaction with biological objects without direct contact. This avoids all issues of biological contamination, ensuring the sterility of the cells and the liquid environment in which they are cultivated. The goal of this position is to develop a device enabling three-dimensional trajectory control of biological cells using electric fields, employing electric fields as both the actuation and measurement method. For actuation, electric fields have already been used through the phenomenon of dielectrophoresis [4] to manipulate cells within microfluidic chips. Previous work within the AS2M department [2] has demonstrated the possibility of precisely controlling the trajectory of objects in two dimensions using dielectrophoresis with closed-loop control based on visual feedback. However, vision-based measurement has limitations in terms of field of view, data acquisition speed, and information pro- 1 cessing.We are therefore interested in replacing vision with impedance spectroscopy [3]. Preliminary work [1] has validated this principle as a measurement method. The development of a device for controlling the trajectory of biological cells using electric fields as both the actuation and measurement method represents both a technical and scientific challenge. It would enable the study of cellular interactions, improve the productivity of innovative therapeutic drugs, and enhance their accessibility.

Tasks

In the context of this position, you will be required to conduct both theoretical studies (for modeling various physical phenomena and performing simulation studies) as well as experimental studies requiring the design and development of electrical and mechanical systems, the implementation of control algorithms, and data analysis. You will also need to handle biological objects and work in a cleanroom environment. You will be part of a team of engineers, post-docs, PhD students, researchers, and faculty members with complementary expertise on which you can rely. In more detail, the tasks you will be required to perform are : 

• Study existing methods in the literature for actuation and measurement using electric fields

 • Characterize the couplings and the influence of actuation on measurement to propose a method enabling both to be performed simultaneously

 • Propose an efficient control law enabling the trajectory control of multiple objects simultaneously 

• Design an experimental setup (mechanical, electronic, and programming components) and microfluidic chips 

Skills

We’re looking for someone with a master’s degree, engineering diploma or PhD in robotics, automation, physics or microfluidics. The following skills are not mandatory but would be an asset for the candidate :

 • Knowledge of biology

 • Knowledge of electrostatics and a good understanding of Maxwell’s equations

 • Modeling and control of non-linear systems

 • Experience in microfluidics