Offer description
Information about the internship
- Field: Physical Chemistry – Soft Matter
- Research Unit: MMB
- Internship place: Laboratoire Léon Brillouin – CEA Saclay
- Internship duration: 3 – 6 months
- Level of study: Master
- Continuation in PhD thesis: Yes
- Application deadline: March 16, 2026
Internship description
Short summary
The aim of the proposed internship is to investigate interactions between lanthanide salts and lipid assemblies that model cellular membranes, focusing on the resulting structural and phase transitions under varying physicochemical conditions. The project combines laboratory-based techniques with large-scale facility experiments to elucidate the structural and dynamical properties of lanthanide–lipid systems.
Extended subject
Lanthanide–lipid interactions have attracted significant attention due to their importance in both fundamental soft matter research and biophysical applications, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence-based cell labelling. This project aims to investigate the interactions between different lanthanide salts and cellular components, such as lipid aggregates (micelles, vesicles, etc.), that form the fundamental barrier of cells, focusing on the phase transitions that occur when lanthanide concentration exceeds a critical threshold.
This project aims to improve our understanding of self-assembly and phase behaviour in soft matter systems. A broad range of experimental techniques—including spectroscopy, scattering, microscopy, and rheology—will be employed to characterize the structural and dynamical properties of the selected lanthanide–lipid systems and their phase transformations. The experimental work will combine laboratory-based techniques with large-scale facility experiments, such as neutron scattering at the Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) and synchrotron-based measurements at SOLEIL.
Depending on the student’s level (M1 or M2), they will be involved in different stages of experiment preparation, execution, and data analysis. The internship will provide hands-on laboratory training as well as exposure to advanced research infrastructure.
Keywords
lanthanide salts, lipids, self-assembly, soft matter, colloidal chemistry, scattering techniques, biophysics
Candidate profile
Skills:
- Enrolled in Master 1 or 2 in Physical chemistry, Biophysics, or a related field
- Interest in or previous experience in colloidal and soft matter science
- Familiarity with analytical, spectroscopic, scattering, or rheological techniques
- Experience in solution characterization
- Strong motivation to learn experimental techniques
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and international research environment
Languages : English
LINKS
- Personal web page / coordinates of the supervisor
- Website of the laboratory: LLB/NFMQ
Supervisor
Chazapi Ioanna
Tel.: 01 69 08 96 63
Email: