Site IPREM, Animine
Thesis: Chemical imaging of the fate of trace minerals
in the digestive tract of animals
Trace minerals are key to maintain a number of physiological processes in animal body.
Supplementation with zinc, copper and manganese in diets for food–producing animals is
therefore a common practice to reach optimal performance and welfare. However, their
fate in the digestive tract and their uptake at the intestinal barrier level are not fully
elucidated.
Your objective will be the development of a methodology combining element–specific
chemical imaging techniques (NanoSIMS, ToF–SIMS) and synchrotron techniques (XRF, XAS) to
determine the localization and the chemical speciation of trace elements in gastro–intestinal
tract content and tissues.
This Thesis is part of LabCom program SPECIMAN funded by the French Ministry of Research.
Candidate profile: • Master or equivalent degree with majors in analytical chemistry/biology
• Experience in chemical imaging is a plus!
• Motivation for interdisciplinary work
• Good English communication skills, both in verbal and written form
High quality partners and conditions:
Thesis Director: Prof. Dirk Schaumlöffel
Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA), Doctoral School of Exact
Sciences and their Applications (ED 211 SEA): ed–sea.univ–pau.fr
Animine is a French company headquartered in Annecy, Haute Savoie. Animine
supplies added–value trace minerals globally. The company is driven by strong
values among which scientific credibility and commitment to environmental
challenges are very important. Several PhD candidates already joined the team
and are continuously developing their talents in this international and welcoming
structure.
More info at: www.animine.eu
The Institute of Analytical Sciences and Physico–Chemistry for Environment and
Materials (IPREM) is a Joint Research Unit CNRS / UPPA (UMR 5254) interested in
the development of fundamental knowledge in physico–chemistry, analytical
chemistry and microbiology, in relation to applications concerning the structure
of the living, the management of the environment and the functional properties
of different classes of materials. More info at: iprem.univ–pau.fr
Thesis starting date: as soon as possible, for 36 months (CIFRE funding 100%)
Location: Pau, France
Application available until the position is filled
Please send a cover letter, your CV, copies of diplomas, and contact information
of two references to Prof. Dirk Schaumlöffel.
Contact: dirk.schaumloeffel [at] univ–pau.fr