Phd Student – Gates

The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, invites applications for a fully funded PhD position (GATES) dedicated to studying nanoplastic exposure in the plant rhizosphere. The successful candidate will be enrolled in the Doctoral School of Université Grenoble Alpes and will carry out research under the supervision of Dr. Hiram Castillo. The project addresses the growing environmental concern of nanoplastics (<1000 nm) that can cross biological barriers and potentially enter the food chain, with a particular focus on their interaction with plant roots in the rhizosphere.

Research activities will combine innovative methodologies: Europium‑doped nanoplastics will serve as tracers for mechanistic studies and detection method development, while non‑doped particles will be used to quantify environmentally relevant nanoplastic burdens. A custom rhizobox system will be constructed to replicate realistic soil conditions, allowing controlled exposure experiments. The candidate will employ advanced synchrotron‑based nano X‑ray fluorescence (XRF) at the ID21 beamline to achieve cellular‑scale localization of nanoplastics within plant tissues, enabling precise mapping of uptake and distribution.

In addition to imaging, the project includes developing robust quantification and visualization techniques for non‑doped nanoplastics, determining phytotoxicity endpoints related to root architecture and cell wall development, and investigating how nanoplastics affect root exudation patterns and rhizosphere physico‑chemistry. The work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging environmental science, plant biology, analytical chemistry, and synchrotron physics.

The ESRF provides a stimulating international environment, with staff from 38 countries and state‑of‑the‑art accelerator facilities producing intense X‑ray beams used by thousands of scientists annually. The successful candidate will benefit from the ESRF’s competitive compensation and allowances package, including financial support for relocation to Grenoble, and will work full‑time on a temporary contract of two years, renewable for one year.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in earth science, environmental sciences, biology, or chemistry, demonstrate strong motivation for experimental work, and preferably have experience in trace metal analysis or spectroscopic methods. Proficiency in English, the working language at the ESRF, is required. Applications must be submitted via the ESRF job portal before the deadline of 10 July 2026 (23:59, Europe/Paris).

This PhD offers excellent training for a career in academia, research institutes, or industry sectors concerned with environmental monitoring, nanosafety, and policy development. The combination of hands‑on synchrotron expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and transferable skills positions graduates competitively for future opportunities.