MSCA project description

The job position is offered within a ‘Structured functional glasses for lasing, sensing and health applications’ (FunctiGlass) project. The main objective of this project is to deliver advanced high-tech materials for three sectors: light sources, sensors, and biomaterials.

FunctiGlass, coordinated by CNRS, is a unique interdisciplinary research and training programme, delivering double degree doctorates as part of Horizon Europe's Doctoral Networks (Marie-Skłodowska Curie Actions, project 101169415). It will train 11 doctoral candidates who will take part in a joint research training programme based on very close cooperation between academia and industry. It will ensure that the trainees are exposed to 11 academic environments (universities and research institutes) and 9 non-academic environments (industry and SMEs) representing 9 countries. Each PhD candidate will be supervised by two academic tutors from different countries (research will be performed at two institutions in both countries) and one mentor (industrial partner) to ensure cross-sector knowledge sharing and the acquisition of transferable skills with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. Through the multi-dimensional training of the FunctiGlass programme, the 11 PhD candidates will excel in the future economy by acquiring a multi-dimensional perspective and mindset to become future leaders in glass science and in particular glass-based nano/micro-structured materials. 

5 institutions will award the double degrees: Université Côte d'Azur (Nice, France), Tampere Universities (Finland), Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), University Milano-Bicocca (Italy), and Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences (Wroclaw, Poland). 

Industrial partners: AOI Tech (France), Corning (France), Fastlite (France), Klearia (France), Else Nuclear (Italy), Nobula3D (Sweden), Nyfors Teknologi (Sweden), Rosendahl Nextrom (Finland), and Scout Scientific Outsourcing (Poland).

Other universities involved in the project as partners (not awarding doctoral degrees): University of Cergy-Pontoise (France), University of Gent (Belgium), University of Pardubice (Czech Republic), University of Nazarbayev (Kazakhstan), and Umeå University (Sweden).

Project website: https://functiglass.eu

Description of the PhD project (PhD4)

The detection of food pathogens is a critical aspect of food safety, as it ensures the quality of the food supply and helps prevent food-related illnesses. Traditional methods of detecting food pathogens, such as culturing and PCR tests, can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and may not provide real-time results. This is where newly-proposed photonic structures can be helpful.

Photonic structures, such as waveguides, optically active nanoparticles, or metamaterials, have the potential to revolutionize (bio)sensing by enabling rapid, sensitive, and selective optical detection. These structures can be specifically designed (functionalized) to interact with light in ways that enhance the detection of specific biomarkers or signals associated with bacteria, fungi, or other species.

The goal of the research will be design, fabrication, and testing glass-based structures able to give an optical response to selected food pathogens. The experimental work will be preceded by literature research in current development of the proposed optical sensing in the food industry, particularly for bacteria detection. Structures proposed for detection of selected pathogens will be fabricated by a chemical synthesis using sol–gel technology. Different glass-based compositions, metal nanoparticles, system configurations, biomolecules, and surface functionalization for selective pathogen identification will be tested. Studies will include morphological, structural, mechanical, and optical characterization of the developed photonic systems. Particular attention will be devoted to investigating the interaction of light with the glass and nanoparticles as well as the changes caused by the presence of microorganisms. Eventually, response of the optical platform as a function of pathogen concentration will be described. The expected result is the development of sensitive and selective platform for optical detection of chosen food pathogens.

Practical information

• Contract duration: 4 years (starting from October 2025).
• Recruiting institution: Institute of Low Temperature and Structure Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wrocław, Poland (ILTSR PAS)
• Doctoral school: Wrocław Doctoral School of Institutes of Polish Academy of Sciences
• Host laboratory: Division of Optical Spectroscopy, ILTSR PAS
• Supervisor: Paweł Głuchowski
• Co-host laboratory: University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy
• Co-supervisor: Roberto Scotti
• Industrial mentor: Scout Scientific Outsourcing Company (Poland)
• Secondments:  University of Milano Bicocca, Italy (second host institution, about 20 months), Institut de Physique de Nice, France (one month)
• The gross monthly salary based on the MSCA rules is around 1900€ (including employee’s taxes and contributions; salary will be paid by ILTSR PAS regardless of the location of the research)
• The student will also receive a mobility allowance and a family allowance (depending on family situation) of up to 600 € and 495€ per month, respectively.