Title of the subject :

Laboratory : Institut Charles Gerhardt de Montpellier

Desired starting date: between March 2021 and May 2021

Duration : 36 months

Research project:

MAPLLE, a project supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR), aims at interfacing electronic devices with our bodies with the ambition to create intelligent, interactive and versatile body-machine interconnections that transform neuron activity into electronic signals (“brain-machine” interfaces), provide data relating to the heart (“heart-device” interfaces) and beyond.  Therefore, devices capable of converting ions into electronic currents and vice versa, 1 such as organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), are targeted. 2 The operation of these devices requires the design and synthesis of organic semiconductors that play the role of transducing biological information (ionic message, ion
movement) into electronic information (electronic message, electron movement).

Among these polymers developed specifically for ion transport, an important class used in the field of bioelectronics is based on the functionalization of conventional pi-conjugated cores by highly hydrophilic side chains of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) type. In order to circumvent the problems brought by polyethylene glycol chains, we have recently developed a new family of polymers substituted by a hydroxy-hexyl chain. 3,4 The aim of the project is therefore to extend this family in order to establish structure-property relationships and optimize the performance of the resulting OECTs.

Candidate’s profile:

This multidisciplinary project will require good skills in organic synthesis and will be based on solid knowledge in organic chemistry and organometallic chemistry. The candidate (Chemical Engineer / Master in organic chemistry) should master the classical techniques used for
the characterization of organic molecules and polymers (NMR, mass spectroscopy, FTIR, GPC, TGA, DSC…). Basics in absorption and emission spectroscopies would be a plus. English spoken and written is mandatory.

To apply

Candidates must send: an up-dated CV, transcriptions records (M1-M2, ingénieur 2e-3e années), a motivation letter and the name of at least two references by e-mail to: Dr. Olivier DAUTEL olivier.dautel@enscm.fr and Dr. Armelle OUALI armelle.ouali@enscm.fr