Company and Presentation of the Subject

JUNIA, a transitional school, is contributing towards major issues such as helping to feed the planet, developing digital and industrial transformation, accelerating the energy and urban transitions process, and improving technology for health and well-being. This engineering school has 8 preparatory cycles, 3 university programs (HEI, ISA, and ISEN), research activities, and business services. JUNIA has 5,000 students (including 530 apprentices) and 450 employees across 4 campuses: Lille (since 1885), Bordeaux, Châteauroux, and Rabat. Its programs are approved by the French Government, and it has been awarded the EESPIG certification (private higher education institution of general interest). Its degrees are recognized by the CTI (French Commission of Engineering Qualifications). JUNIA is a member of the Catholic University of Lille.

We are recruiting a PhD student for a period of 36 months. This study will be conducted as part of a HORIZON Twinning Bottom-Up Project (HyFiDress) with several partners (Warsaw University of Technology – Poland, University Hospital Regensburg – Germany, Bioprex Medical B.V. – Netherlands) and integrated into the Génie des Matériaux TEXtiles (GEMTEX) Laboratory. This work will be developed within the framework of the Innovative Textile Materials team, particularly under the direction of Dr. HDR Hayriye GIDIK, Dr. Elham MOHSENZADEH, and Dr. Yesim OGUZ.

Context

Diabetes-related chronic skin ulcers, including lower limb ulcers (diabetic foot syndrome), varicose veins, and pressure sores, are a major problem affecting 6.3% of the global population. Antibiotic treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) is complicated by concomitant resistant bacterial infections. To address therapeutic options for the treatment of DFU, this study proposes new therapeutic hydrogel-fiber patches designed to release cocktails of i) dual-function peptides aimed at eradicating various multi-drug-resistant bacteria and stimulating wound healing, and ii) lytic bacteriophages providing a stable healing environment with optimal moisture and proper biochemical balance. The research includes the design, production, and characterization of the morphological and mechanical properties of the hybrid hydrogel-fibrous constructs suitable for wound dressings.

Requirements / Profile

• Bac+5 and/or Textile engineer (master’s degree),
• Knowledge in material science and chemistry,
• Knowledge in textile medical applications is appreciated,
• English level of B2,
• Curious, autonomous, and dynamic.

Contract Conditions

• Duration: 36 months (from September 2024),
• Location: Lille (HEI, 16 rue Colson – 59800 LILLE) with an attachment to GEMTEX Laboratory (Roubaix),
• For further information and applications (motivation letter and CV), please contact Dr. HDR Hayriye GIDIK VANDERBERCK (gidik@junia.com), Dr. Elham MOHSENZADEH (elham.mohsenzadeh@junia.com), and dr. Yesim OGUZ (Yesim.oguz@junia.com).