The CEISAM-UMR6230 is recruiting a post-doctoral fellow.
12 months Post-doc proposal
Coupling of magnetic nanoparticles in nanometric 3D arrays for magnetic fluid hyperthermia
Brief description of the project:
Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) generate a local heating when submitting to an alternating magnetic field (AMF). This heat generation is quantified by the specific absorption rate (SAR) and increase with the product of the applied amplitude (H) and the frequency (f). Nevertheless, biomedical application imposed limit to the applied AMF (H.f < 5 x 106 kA.m-1.s- 1). Since 2000’s, this heat generation was used for the treatment of various cancers. Nowadays, their clinical potential is exploited by MagForce AG to cure solid brain tumor. However, this therapeutic procedure still face considerable limitations (principally low heat generation and poor targeting) and thus require an intratumoral injection of a large amount of MNPs. These limitations are due to the nature of the most commonly used MNPs i.e. iron oxide nanospheres. Indeed, the low magnetic anisotropic and the low magnetic character of the iron oxides nanosphere lead to a poor heat generation (low SAR > 200 W/g).
To circumvent to this problem, the project proposes to create three-dimensional arrays of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) to enable (anti) ferromagnetic coupling via a π- conjugate bridge. The goal is to create a magnetic order between the MNPs to amplify the magnetic response of the final material. For this, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are intimately assemble in a semiconductor matrix. This magnetic order is very interesting because it drastically amplifies the magnetic response of the final nanomaterial. Thus, the generated nano-assemblies should generate a strong heating under an alternating magnetic field (magnetothermal properties).
The person recruited will have the objective of:
- Create networks of magnetic nanoparticles in ferromagnetic coupling.
- Highlight the ferromagnetic couplings inside the assemblies.
- Understand the effect of coupling on the magneto-thermal properties of the assembly.
We are looking for candidate with excellent experience in synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and basis in organic chemistry. Knowledge of nanomagnetism would be a plus without it being mandatory.
To apply (and/or for more information), please send a cover letter outlining your motivation, a complete CV with the list of publications and at least two references to:
– Lénaïc Lartigue : lenaic.lartigue@univ-nantes.fr.
