PhD Position: Functional Organic Nanoassemblies for Sensing and Photoswitching Magnetic Hyperthermia

This PhD position at Université de Nantes focuses on designing and studying hybrid organic-inorganic nanoassemblies that integrate photoactive molecules with superparamagnetic nanoparticles. The project aims to investigate how light can modulate magnetic properties at ultrafast timescales and how magnetic switching influences photoexcited states, advancing materials for spin-based information encoding and magnetic hyperthermia applications. The work involves molecular synthesis, microfluidic fabrication, and interdisciplinary collaborations with leading French research groups in nanomagnetism, ultrafast spectroscopy, and theoretical modeling. The successful candidate will contribute to ANR-funded projects addressing cutting-edge challenges in light-matter interactions and nanomedicine.

• Design and synthesize hybrid nanoassemblies combining organic radicals, photoactive units, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.
• Develop molecular engineering strategies to ensure retention and reproducibility of properties after self-assembly.
• Perform size control of nano-objects using microfluidic synthesis techniques and conduct post-processing like surface functionalization.
• Conduct photophysical and spectroscopic studies (steady-state and time-resolved absorption/emission spectroscopies, fluorescence microscopy).
• Characterize nanomaterials using advanced techniques such as TEM, AFM, DLS, and zetametry.
• Collaborate with external partners on ultrafast spectroscopic studies, nanomagnetism, and theoretical modeling of heat-optical coupling.
• Contribute to interdisciplinary projects addressing challenges in light-matter interactions and nanomedicine applications.