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, in the ambit of the Institute for the Sciences of Light (Université Paris-Saclay), cover subjects spanning 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 IMAGINEOPTIC and ONERA.
The available thesis projects are listed by broad scientific subject areas.
Molecular Spectroscopy & Chemical Physics
- LUMINeSCe – Light-induced Ultrafast dynamics in Metalloporphyrins: investigating Ionic and Neutral Species with Coincidence detection and X-ray probes
- PAHIS – Pathways to Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Interstellar Space
- QUASAR – QUAntum chemical and experimental Spectroscopy of Astrochemical Reactive isomers
Quantum Materials & Semiconductor Physics
- ELIXIR2 – ExpLoring Indirect eXcitons in Innovative 2D semiconductoR hetero-nanostructuRes
- PLUTO – PLasmonic Ultra-fast Tunneling Optoelectronics
- UltrafastCARS – High-speed coherent Raman metrology for the study of transient and non-equilibrium reactive flows
Photonics & Optical Technologies
- OSER – Optical SourcEs in silicon photonics: the Rare-earth approach
- SCALING – Study of complex gradient index optics compatible with laser structuring manufacturing
- SYNOX – Symmetry-Driven Nonlinear Optics in Hexagonal Polytype Semiconductors
- WILIA-HR – Ultra-High-Resolution Wind Lidar for Aerodynamics using frequency modulation
Photochemistry & Functional Molecular Materials
- CHISOS – CHIral Saddle-shaped Organic Semiconductors
The evaluation of applications, interviews, and attribution of PhD fellowships will be conducted by selection domain. See homepage and Guide for Applicants.
Every LIGHTinPARIS PhD project includes at least one “3i” dimension that includes an interdisciplinary, intersectoral (industrial), or international collaboration. All fellows thus benefit from mobility and secondment opportunities at the “3i” laboratory with a “3i” co-supervisor.
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 with an implementing partner.
- 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 details, deadlines, and resources are available on the LIGHTinPARIS official website: https://lightinparis.eu
Where to apply
Website: https://lightinparis.eu
Requirements
- Research Field: Physics – Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Chemistry – Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Engineering – Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Technology – Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
All PhD researchers are expected to be curious, creative, rigorous, learn to collaborate, and have organisational skills, to successfully carry out their PhD project.
Each PhD project has specific scientific skills and qualifications that you can find on the last page of each project description (https://lightinparis.eu/thesis-subjects/).
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.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 6
- Company/Institute: See specific project description
- Country: France
Contact
- City: Palaiseau
- Website: https://lightinparis.eu
- Street: 2 avenue Augustin Fresnel
- Postal Code: 91127
- E-Mail: application-lightinparis.isl@institutoptique.fr
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