Innovative Materials IdEx Structuring Program

Innovative Materials for New Devices

 
The aim is to develop a structured program focused on innovative materials and their use in the creation of new devices. The materials concerned include both epitaxial semiconductors, such as element III nitrides, and materials processed using micro- and nanofabrication platforms available at the university's technological platforms.

The applications targeted by these innovative materials fall within the fields of microelectronics and photonics.

Projects supported by this innovative materials program must demonstrate the added value of materials developed or micro-nanostructured in the IdEx laboratories. This will strengthen activities where innovative materials play a key role and consolidate expertise in the areas of development and micro-nanofabrication. Supported projects must be consistent with existing or planned investments at the IdEx site.
 
The design and modeling of innovative material properties using advanced numerical methods such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are integrated to this structuring program. Developments in this area will foster collaboration with the 3IA Côte d’Azur Institute (AI Cluster).

Several themes have been identified. These are complemented by an Emerging Research Axis focused on innovative materials, which will enable the implementation of projects on new topics whose scientific significance may become apparent during the program's duration.
  • Electronics for communications and the energy transition
  • Photonics
  • Devices for Health applications
  • Quantum technologies
  • Numerical modeling of innovative materials and new computational paradigms
  • Emergence around innovative materials
 

Organization

Codirectors
  • Philippe Boucaud – Director – CRHEA
  • Guillaume Huyet – Director – INPHYNI
Steering Committee

 

PhD Call

The IdEx structuring program on Innovative Materials opens a call for the recruitment of 2 PhDs.
Deadline for application: May 15th, 2026.

Download the call guidelines   Download the template
 

Results

The 2026 PhD Call of the Innovative Materials IdEx Strategic Program attracted strong interest from the scientific community, with 6 proposals submitted, 5 projects shortlisted for interviews, and 2 projects selected for funding.

Funded Projects

HIQUAWA
High-performance Photonic Quantum Memories in Waveguide Architectures

  • Principal Investigators: Sébastien Tanzilli, Jean Etesse
  • Laboratory: INPHYNI
  • PhD Candidate: To be announced
  • Research Area: Quantum photonics, integrated photonic devices, and quantum information technologies. 

Magnetic Autonomous Chemomechanical Hydrogels
Magnetic Autonomous Chemomechanical Hydrogels for Spatially Controlled Pulsatile Drug Delivery
 
  • Principal Investigators: Baptiste Blanc, Charlotte Hurel
  • Laboratory: INPHYNI
  • PhD Candidate: Collins Gyedu Marfo
  • Research Area: Smart biomaterials, hydrogels, and innovative drug delivery systems.
Selection Process

All submitted proposals were evaluated by a dedicated selection committee composed of one external expert and seven internal experts representing the scientific scope of the Structuring Program.

The Innovative Materials Structuring Program warmly congratulates all applicants for the quality of their proposals and wishes every success to the funded projects.

Information on recruited PhD candidates will be published once the recruitment procedures have been completed.

 

Post-doctoral Call

The IdEx structuring program on Innovative Materials opens a call for the recruitment of 2 post-doctoral grants (1 year).
Deadline for application: June 21st 2026.

Download the call guidelines   Download the template
 

Results

The 2026 Postdoctoral Call of the Innovative Materials IdEx Strategic Program attracted strong interest from the scientific community, with 7 applications submitted, 6 candidates shortlisted for interviews, and 2 projects selected for funding. The selected postdoctoral fellows will contribute to advancing cutting-edge research in photonics, semiconductor technologies, and innovative materials.

Funded Projects

NITRIPOLE
NITRide-based Periodically POLEd Structures

  • Postdoctoral Fellow: Federica Catania
  • Host Laboratory: CRHEA
  • Research Area: Advanced nitride-based materials, nonlinear optics, and photonic device engineering.

Lateral Current Injection in GaN-Based Micro-LEDs Through Selective-Area Regrowth

  • Postdoctoral Fellow: Katarina Mamic
  • Host Laboratory: CRHEA
  • Research Area: Gallium nitride (GaN) micro-LED technologies, semiconductor processing, and next-generation optoelectronic devices.
Selection Process

All applications were evaluated by a dedicated selection committee composed of one external IdEx expert and ten internal experts representing the scientific scope of the Innovative Materials Strategic Program. Following the evaluation of written applications, six candidates were invited for interviews before the final selection of two postdoctoral fellows.

The Innovative Materials IdEx Strategic Program warmly congratulates all applicants for the excellent quality of their proposals and wishes every success to the funded projects.