Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Institute for the Sciences of Light / Institut d’Optique Graduate School
Offer Description
The LIGHTinPARIS programme has launched its 3rd call for PhD Fellowships with up to 6 fully funded positions starting on 1 January 2027. The PhD projects on offer fall in the domain of the Institute for Sciences of Light (Université Paris-Saclay)covering photonics, optics, imaging, materials (chemistry), lasers, instrumentation, information, quantum technologies and more. The programme is cofunded by the European Union under Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND call and co-financed by Université Paris-Saclay and two non-academic partners IMAGINE OPTIC and ONERA.
This is an announcement for one of the 11 PhD projects on offer.
PAHIS: Pathways to Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Interstellar Space (Description on Web page and PDF)
This PhD project investigates how small aromatic molecules form in the interstellar medium, key precursors to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It focuses on the C5H7+ ion, an intermediate leading to the five-membered ring hydrocarbon C5H6, a crucial missing link in indene and related PAHs. The candidate will study ion–molecule reactions of small hydrocarbon cations using the iSELECTION setup at ISMO, combining ion mobility, mass spectrometry, kinetic measurements, and laser spectroscopy. Complementary experiments will be conducted in Prague, where reaction products can be investigated by ion mobility directly within the trap. Results will be fed into astrochemical models to evaluate their relevance in space. By linking laboratory experiments with astrochemical modeling, this interdisciplinary project bridges molecular physics, kinetics, spectroscopy, and astronomy, advancing our understanding of the formation and evolution of carbon-based molecules in the interstellar medium.
Keywords: Photochemistry; Atomic, molecular and plasma physics; Laboratory astrochemistry; Mass spectrometry; Ion mobility spectrometry
PI/Thesis Supervisor and team: Ugo JACOVELLA at the SYSTEMAE team at ISMO laboratory / institute.
Every LIGHTinPARIS PhD project includes a “3i” dimension (interdisciplinary, intersectoral, or international collaboration) and all fellows will benefit from secondment opportunities for 2 to 12 months at the 3i partner lab under the supervision of the “3i” co-supervisor.
3i dimension(s) for project PAHIS: international 12 months at Heyrovsky Institute of Physical Chemistry, Czech Republic
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Applications must be submitted electronically via the LIGHTinPARIS application portal.
- Deadline for applications: 21 September 2026 12:00 noon Paris time (UTC + 2)
- Deadline to start an application (registration on portal): 15 September 2026 12:00 noon Paris time (UTC + 2)
PRIOR TO STARTING AN APPLICATION,
- Step 1. Verify and test your eligibility: https://lightinparis.eu/eligibility/
- Step 2. Find a PhD project of interest https://lightinparis.eu/thesis-subjects
Contact the proposed thesis supervisor to discuss the research project and scientific background and experience needed to fulfill the PhD position.
YOU MAY THEN PROCEED TO,
- Step 3. Register on the application portal and receive link to application portal (you will complete an eligibility test first). You may prepare your application Offline.
- Step 4. Submit your application
Detailed information and instructions are provided in the official Guide for Applicants and on the programme website (lightinparis.eu).
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
- Contract: Full-time, 36-month fixed-term French doctoral employment contract. Employer: Université Paris-Saclay.
- Salary: Competitive gross monthly salary (before taxes) for a LIGHTinPARIS PhD fellow under French doctoral contract conditions is a minimum of 2400 € (see application guide for specific employers)
- Allowances: Monthly travel and mobility allowance (€200).
- Annual enrolment fees at the doctoral school (394 €) covered for 3 years.
Additional benefits and opportunities
- Opportunities for professional experience (such as teaching activities)
- Comprehensive training in research, innovation, and transferable skills
TIMELINE
- Call Open: Week 29 (2026) to Week 39 (2026). Publication of Call: 15 July 2026 (On website). Application portal open: 21-23 July 2026.
- Registration (to start an application) deadline: 15 September 2026 12:00 noon Paris time (UTC +2). No new applications can be registered after this date. Selected PhD project cannot be modified after this date
- Submission deadline: 21 September 2026 12:00 noon Paris time (UTC +2)
- Validation of application dossiers and evaluation by external experts: Week 39 - Week 42 (16/09/2026 - 13/10/2026)
- Online interviews: Week 44 - 45 (27 October - 6 November 2026)
- Notification of results: Week 46 (9 - 14 November 2026)
CONTACT & INFORMATION
- Administrative questions: For queries about the application process, eligibility, and all administrative questions, contact application-lightinparis.isl@institutoptique.fr.
- Scientific questions: contact the supervisor(s) listed for each project: https://lightinparis.eu/thesis-subjects
- Up-to-date information on the LIGHTinPARIS website: https://lightinparis.eu/
Where to apply
Website: https://lightinparis.eu
Requirements
Research Field: Physics
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
PhD studies and research work require curiosity, creativity, rigour, teamwork, and organisational skills. A minimum B2 level of English is mandatory. Each PhD project has specific skills/qualifications listed - see last page of linked PDF file https://lightinparis.eu/thesis-subjects/.
Profile of PhD fellow for project PAHIS
- pre-requisite: Background in molecular physics or physical chemistry or astrochemistry
- pre-requisite: Hold a MSc in Physics, Physical Chemistry, Chemistry, or related fields
- pre-requisite: Experience in mass spectrometry, ion mobility, or laser spectroscopy
- advantageous: Knowledge of kinetics and instrumentation
- advantageous: Data acquisition using Python
Specific Requirements
Security Clearance
Recruitment in French science and technology research facilities is subject to security clearance as required by the Department of Strategy, Security and Defence. The attribution of a PhD fellowship is contingent on the candidate obtaining the necessary security clearance.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must:
- Hold, or complete the requirements, for a Master’s degree or equivalent qualification by the application deadline, 21 September 2026. Candidates cannot hold a PhD degree.
- Must not have resided or carried out their main activity in France for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the call deadline (MSCA mobility rule), i.e. between 22 September 2023 and 21 September 2026).
A good (B2) level of English is required; knowledge of French is not required.
Selection process
The selection includes an eligibility check, external evaluation by experts, and interviews (online) to assess the candidates’ scientific potential, motivation, and fit with the proposed research project.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews.
Website for additional job details: https://lightinparis.eu
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 4
Company/Institute: ISMO - Université Paris-Saclay
Country: France
City: Orsay
Postal Code: 91405
Street: 15, rue Georges Clemenceau
Contact
City: Palaiseau
Website: https://lightinparis.eu
Street: 2 avenue Augustin Fresnel
Postal Code: 91127
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