Institute for the Sciences of Light (ISL)
The Institute for the Sciences of Light (ISL) promotes synergies between all relevant actors within the University Paris-Saclay. ISL supports cross-cutting research and PhD projects throughout six Graduate Schools, fosters research results transfer to industry, develops effective international relations and organizes international doctoral summer schools and colloquia.
The University Paris-Saclay inherits a tradition of fundamental research and training in Optics that began over a century ago. At the heart of the University Paris-Saclay, about 700 researchers and academics in 30 laboratories and six Graduate Schools use Light to push the frontiers of scientific knowledge and tackle major contemporary societally relevant challenges. These professionals contribute daily to a broad range of topics, from quantum technologies to the observation of gravitational waves, from the exploration of matter and living organisms to the study of the Sun, planets and of climate, from the microscopic and attosecond understanding of energy transfer to energy management.
The University awards every year 200 engineer diplomas and 60 Ph.D. degrees in the area of the Sciences of Light, making Paris-Saclay one of the world's leading centers in this field. The University Paris-Saclay campus also takes pride of a very large number of world-class research infrastructures (Synchrotron SOLEIL, IR free-electron laser, X-UV attosecond laser facility, C2N nanotechnology center, etc.).
Contact the Institute for the Sciences of Light
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Current Calls for Projects
The deadline for the first wave of submissions for:
- Call for projects PhOM/ISL "Research Seminars" 2026: October 2, 2026 at 1pm (Paris time).
- Call for projects "Coup de pouce et Déblocage" 2026: October 2, 2026 at 1pm (Paris time).
For more information: Calls for projects and support of events
Winners of the call for projects "Équipement Recherche" 2026
- Project BATT-H2O, led by Wutharath CHIN (LuMIn) in collaboration with Alan WONG et Rodolphe POLLET (NIMBE, CEA)
- Project DeepDCS, led by Frédéric PAIN (LCF) in collaboration with Laurent MENARD (IJCLab)
- Project NanoVisCO, led by Jérémie MATHURIN (ICP) in collaboration with Mathieu THOURY (IPANEMA)
- Project PEROPRESS, led by Cédric MAYER et Emmanuelle DELEPORTE (LuMIn) in collaboration with Olivier PLANTEVIN and Victor BALEDENT (LPS)
- Project PlasChiVerSOVie, led by Joao SANTOS SOUSA (LPGP) in collaboration with Caroline AYMES-CHODUR (ICMMO) et Antoine PALLANDRE (ICP)
Congratulations!
Find out more here: Calls for projects and support of events
Final call for LIGHTinPARIS MSCA-COFUND PhD Fellowships - Choose the project by 15 September and Apply by 21 September (@12h UTC+2)
🎓 6 fully funded PhD fellowships with four positions at Université Paris-Saclay and two positions with our non-academic partner ONERA - The French Aerospace Lab.
- Molecular Spectroscopy & Chemical Physics
- Projects: LUMINeSCe, QUASAR, UltrafastCARS, PAHIS
- Quantum Materials & Semiconductor Physics
- Photonics & Optical Technologies
- Photochemistry & Functional Molecular Materials
- Project: CHISOS
🌐 ELIGIBILITY There is no restriction on the age or nationality of the candidate, but they must fulfil the MSCA criteria for,
- the PhD qualification to have obtained, or completed their studies for, a master's degree or equivalent by the call deadline: 21 September 2026
- transnational mobility to not have spent more than 12 months in France during the three years preceding the call deadline: between 22 September 2023 and 21 September 2026).
Test your eligibility here: https://lightinparis.eu/eligibility/
Information webinar: 10 September at 11am (UTC+2) and download the Guide for Applicants.
Contact for applicants and references: application-lightinparis.isl@institutoptique.fr