PhD in Modular multi-organ-on-chip for personalized medicine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PhD in Modular multi-organ-on-chip for personalized medicine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, at the CEA Paris Saclay - MICROCOSM project within the PEPR MED-OOC

Starting date: October 2026

Domains: Organ-on-chip / Microfluidics / Biotechnology / Respiratory disease / Patient-derived cells / Inflammation

Context of the project: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide, characterized by progressive airflow limitation and frequent exacerbations that worsen patient outcomes. While biologics have revolutionized asthma treatment, their application in COPD has been limited in part due to patient heterogeneity. Emerging immunotherapies offer a promising avenue for COPD treatment but identifying responders to anti-biologics remains a significant challenge. Recent developments in organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, using patient-derived cells, have shown the potential benefits of a miniaturized and parallelized approach for biomarkers and biologics screening that could improve the personalized treatment of COPD patients. This PhD project, in conjunction with the PEPR MED-OOC, focuses on the development of a multiorgan-chip platform, that will integrate lung (airway and alveolar) and muscle cells in order to mimic COPD pathophysiology. These patient-derived in vitro models will be then implemented as predictive models to evaluate COPD patient responses to biologics and choose the most effective molecules. The MICROCOSM project will be carried out through close interactions between the LIONS (microfluidics, nanostructured materials and instrumentation) and the LERI (immunoanalysis, in vitro diagnostics and rapid prototyping) research groups, both located at the same site, as well as with clinicians and partners of the project consortium in the Paris area and Bordeaux. The recruited PhD candidate will benefit from the expertise of both teams and will be in charge of three axes during this project: 1) Developing lung-on-chip (LoC) and muscle-on-chip platforms; 2) Integrating patient-derived cells and evaluate cell viability and function; 3) Monitor cell response to exacerbation factors. This a multiorgan-on-chip platform system will pave the way for microfluidic analysis of other COPD biomarkers.

Job responsibilities: The selected candidate will:

Design and fabricate microfluidic devices in clean room and using rapid prototyping tools.

Set up and optimize novel surface chemistry procedures on different substrates for target binding.

Implement cell biology tools and immunoassays to evaluate the performances of miniaturized device.

Take an active role in the presentation and publication of research results.

Be capable of working in a Level 2 biosafety laboratory.

Candidate profile: We are looking for outstanding candidates with the following skills:

•  A Masters or Engineering degree in microfluidics, biophysics, or biotechnology
• Previous experience in cell biology or microscopy will be highly appreciated
• Real motivation and ability to work in collaboration across disciplines and autonomously
• Fluent English, both spoken and written

Starting date: October 2026

How to apply: Applicants should send their CV+ cover letter + recommendation letters to Karla PEREZ-TORALLA (karla.pereztoralla@cea.fr) and Florent MALLOGGI (florent.malloggi@cea.fr).