Post-doc: Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jets and Natural Extracts for Antimicrobial Applications

id="offer-description" class="ecl-u-type-heading-2 ecl-u-mt-none ecl-u-mb-l">Offer Description Project: PLASNANOBIAL – Plasma and Nanomaterials for Antimicrobial Properties . Funding: ANR (French National Research Agency) . Duration: 18 months (renewable) . Start Date: Flexible (ideally Q1 2027) . Location: GREMI Laboratory, Université d’Orléans, CNRS, France . Supervisors: Dr. Eric Robert, Dr. Augusto Stancampiano. Context : . The PLASNANOBIAL project aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by developing innovative plasma-based antimicrobial solutions. Within Work Package 1 (WP1), the focus is on using Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP) jets to functionalize surfaces with natural extracts (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol). The goal is to eradicate microorganisms on contaminated surfaces and inhibit microbial adhesion on sterile materials like surgical sutures and dressings. Job description : . The Post-Doc will work on WP1, focusing on: Developing and optimizing CAP jets (He/N₂/O₂ + natural extract vapors) to create uniform, biocidal coatings on sutures and dressings. Developing protocols to assess the antibacterial properties of plasma-processed substrates. The role involves investigating plasma-liquid interactions to identify and control reactive species (ROS/RNS: OH, H₂O₂, NO₂, etc.) that enhance antimicrobial properties. Characterization of treated materials will be performed using OES, UV-Vis, FTIR, XPS, and SEM. The position also includes designing and testing a ro