The project focuses on mixtures of electrons (fermion) and excitons (electron-hole pair, a boson) in a new class of materials: van der Waals heterostructures. The latter can be seen as a “mille-feuille”, obtained by stacking atomically thin sheets of various materials. They recently became a prominent platform to study many-body physics, after a milestone discovery of superconductivity in bilayer graphene. Our long term ambition is to introduce superconductivity in a controlled manner, using excitons as force-carrier bosons (instead of phonons in conventional superconductors). The internship will pave the way toward this goal. It includes two steps, (i) the fabrication of the heterostructures and (ii) a first characterization with optical spectroscopy.

Our project tackles the fundamental challenge of bridging the diverse temporal and spatial scales of biological development. From the nanoscale molecular interactions that occur in seconds to the formation of millimeter-to-meter-scale tissues over days, nature's complexity is staggering. This project seeks to unveil how information flows from molecular transcription factors to orchestrate tissue formation. This project employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining experimental techniques (quantitative microscopy) with theoretical modeling (polymer and statistical physics). It aims to decode the mechanisms governing the interplay between cellular regulation and tissue development. This research has broad implications for biophysics, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine.

This research project aims to uncover the biophysical principles that enable mammalian embryonic stem cells to self-organize into synthetic organoid structures reminiscent of mouse embryos. Our approach blends mathematical modeling with precise single-cell measurements to investigate the emergence of positional and correlative information within differentiating stem-cell aggregates. By integrating theoretical predictions with experimental data, the project will compare dynamic information flow across various developmental systems, such as fly embryos and stem-cell-derived organoids. This interdisciplinary effort not only bridges quantitative and life sciences but also offers students a collaborative environment where they can take ownership of their research and help define the project’s direction.

Can the motion of animal collectives be described as the flows of soft active matter? To answer this question, we combine field studies of massive fish schools, extensive data analysis, machine learning, and mathematical modelling. Depending on your interests and the scope of your internship, you will contribute to a selection of these efforts. Reach out to learn more about our research!