Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet DISTurbS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Environment and Geosciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The tropical upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (TUTLS) plays a critical role in the climate system as the gateway to the global stratosphere. Within this region, tropical upwelling, wave activity, and turbulence control stratospheric composition by modulating the vertical transport of aerosol and trace gases, and the formation of thin ice clouds, which are a net sink of water vapor. This complex interplay between dynamics and chemistry is challenging to simulate, and as a result, atmospheric models struggle to represent the composition of the lower stratosphere in the current and future climate.  The proposed work uses diverse observational datasets collected by high-resolution radiosondes, high-altitude research aircraft, and superpressure balloons to understand the role of turbulence in this system, and to apply that knowledge to the improvement of atmospheric models. The work is divided into four parts: 1) quantifying the frequency of TUTLS turbulence and characterizing its variability, 2) investigating the effect of TUTLS turbulence on ice clouds, aerosol, and trace gases, 3) evaluating TUTLS turbulence in two different types of atmospheric models, and 4) developing a data-driven parameterization of TUTLS turbulence using machine learning.  I will carry out my fellowship at Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique (LMD), in Palaiseau, France, under the supervision of Dr. Aurélien Podglajen. My experience with machine learning complements the host's expertise in the theory and measurement of turbulence, and familiarity with the datasets used for this work, facilitating a two-way transfer of knowledge. I will acquire new technical skills in observations and modelling, broaden my physical understanding of the atmosphere, contribute to the planning and execution of a large field campaign, and work with an international network of collaborators, which will critically support my professional ambition of leading my own research group.

Mots clés : clear air turbulence, stratospheric composition, stratosphere troposphere exchange, observations of turbulence, machine learning, data driven parameterization, atmospheric modelling

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 211754.88 €
Projet QT-DFT (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The quantum mechanical simulation of time-dependent (TD) phenomena is relevant for many technological and medical applications, as in solar cells design, control of radiation damage in biomolecules, photocatalysis, nanoscale conductance devices, and quantum computers. With this proposal, the candidate intends to overcome the most critical limitations of current methods for the calculation of electronic dynamics - most notably of TD Density Functional Theory (DFT) - by pioneering a combination of (1) innovative density functional approximations and (2) an algorithm for time-propagation that treats one electron semi-classically. The common thread linking these parts is the so-called exact factorization, an overarching strategy that has been used by both the candidate and the supervisor in the contexts of DFT and molecular dynamics (MD), respectively. According to this strategy, the wavefunction is rewritten as a product of a “marginal” and a “conditional” amplitude and the corresponding Schrödinger equation is conveniently expanded into two coupled equations, providing a clear decomposition of the chemical environment. Joining together the candidate's expertise in fundamental DFT and the supervisor’s expertise in trajectory-based approaches, the algorithm that will be developed takes inspiration from the method elaborated by the host for ab initio MD simulations and adapts and supplements it in a way suitable to treat the motion of electrons. The project includes validation of the algorithm on simple electronic structures (simple atoms/molecules), whose static and dynamical densities and potentials are computationally accessible and can serve as benchmark. The end goal of the project is to develop a reliable and computationally practical method for the simulation of ultrafast processes that can support and complement the emergent experimental techniques (attosecond spectroscopy), particularly for those cases for which present TDDFT or alternative approaches fail.

Mots clés : density functional theory, exact factorization, electronic dynamics, ultrafast processes, trajectory based approaches

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 200141.89 €
Projet R3NUrb (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The Roman conquest, occupation and dominion over a large part of current Europe and beyond marked a strong change in social, cultural and economic patterns in the area. Two of the most important and lasting changes were the establishment of a new transport network and the large-scale development of cities. Connectivity continues to be seen as an essential factor in the analysis of the spread of urbanisation, migration, the ancient economy, and the transmission of ideas. In Antiquity connectivity could only be achieved via movement by land, river and sea, and had to rely on the available transport network. However, to date, no analysis of communication, trade, distribution of people and resources, or the economy in general, exists that actively considers the transport network, the single element that made connectivity possible, on an Empire-wide scale and therefore no attempts have been made to understand its influence on urbanism or its long-term influence. This is largely due to the lack of complete reconstructions of Roman route systems. Although much is known about the roads and other elements of the Roman transport network, this knowledge is partial and lacks integration. The road transport network is full of empty spaces and broken links that prevent the development of an integrated system fit for large-scale analyses and the use of quantitative and computational approaches. R3NUrb will address these problems by reconstructing the whole Roman transport network and using it to analyse the influence of connectivity on the process of urbanisation, urban distribution and the long term success of urban centres. For this R3NUrb will employ an innovative combination of computational approaches, remote sensing, network science, and geostatistics. This approach will provide unique insights into mobility, transport and urbanisation at a pan-Roman scale and, therefore, open up new horizons in the study of connectivity and urbanism in the past.

Mots clés : roman, transport, network analysis, computational archaeology, route modelling

Participants :
- Université polytechnique de Catalogne (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 82656.48 €
Projet LignoMBB (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

We have reached a point where we have to use recycled wood, which is mostly contaminated, to a greater extent because there is a shortage of raw wood in the EU. At the same time, in pulp mills, we produce large amounts of lignin, however, use it mainly for energy purposes.  LignoMBB is bringing technology for the production of mycelium-based biocomposites (MBB), during which recycled wood is decontaminated. Secondly, LignoMBB is using lignin, which is currently mainly used for energy and is understood as a by- or waste product, in order to achieve better mycelial growth on the developed substrate. I am the first to suggest enriching the substrate for the production of MBB with lignin, expecting that the addition of lignin will result in better mechanical properties of the MBB. LignoMBB develops materials only from recycled wood and lignin, i.e. it does not use agricultural residues, as is currently common practice, and does not endanger food security. At the same time, it finds application for large volumes of old contaminated wood, which is currently entering circulation. My first objective is to develop a technology for the material use of lignin and a substitution technology of agricultural residues in MBBs with lignin and recycled wood. Then, I will answer the questions: To which extent additional lignin in MBB is consumed by fungi? What are the limits of substrate enrichment by lignin? In accordance with the second objective, I will develop a novel MBB to be used in structural applications. At different stages of the MBB cycle, I will measure the VOC emissions because I am hypothesizing that the production process of MBB can act as bioremediation and decreases VOC emissions from materials.  LignoMBB will be implemented at BOKU in Bio-Resources & Technologies Tulln group, where the emphasis is placed on cradle-to-cradle design and brings to this group methods of recycled wood decontamination and production of fully degradable MBB.

Mots clés : composite material wood lignin mycelium decontamination

Participants :
- Universität für Bodenkultur. Vienne (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 199440.96 €
Projet RG-II (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2021)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Most plants cells have a wall protecting them from environmental stress and diseases caused by pathogens. The cell wall is made up of a network of complex carbohydrates including rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), a major component of pectin. RG-II is the most complex carbohydrate in nature and has been shown to play a critical role in plant growth, development, and protection from environmental stresses. Mutations altering the structure and composition of RG-II for example have been shown to lead to strong developmental phenotypes or lethality and decreased crop yields. RG-II components have been shown to be targeted by plant pathogens responsible for significant crop losses in agriculture and recently in the human diet by beneficial species of the human gut microbiota a key player in host-microbial interactions. Despite its importance and potential, we know very little about how RG-II is made and how it performs its functions due to its complex nature and lack of appropriate tools to study it. I have recently developed a molecular tool box including a genetic approach using the gut microbe Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to generate diverse chemically defined RG-II-derived oligosaccharides, RG-II-degrading enzymes and recently new RG-II binding proteins and oligosaccharides. I will expand this toolbox, generate high-throughput technologies and later exploit them to enhance our understanding of RG-II biosynthesis in plants. This work will form the foundation to allow fine modulation of RG-II structures for both plant and human health benefit. I am a British national and I completed my PhD at Newcastle University (UK) through a UK commonwealth scholarship. I have significant experience in glycobiology, microbial genetics and enzymology. At Boku University I will have the opportunity to develop skills in synthetic chemistry, glycan array development and exploitation and plant protein expression in various hosts including human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and purification

Mots clés : rhamnogalacturonan ii, plant cell wall, glycan arrays, glycosyltransferases, plant biology, carbohydrates

Participants :
- Universität für Bodenkultur. Vienne (Autriche) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 199440.96 €
Projet GenHumCap (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Genealogies of Human Capital (GenHumCap) explores the rise of human capital theories between the collapse of the labor theory of value and the World Bank’s recent Human Capital Plan. Specifically, it charts how human life, although formally absent from market exchange, was rendered tractable to neoclassical practices of valuation and calculated investment; then how diverse experts used these methods to reconfigure healthcare, development aid, and population control programs in the name of maximized future wellbeing. Using methods from sociology, the history of science, and the digital humanities, the project will gather new data from archives, expert interviews, and new text-mining techniques, analyzing the results in light of contemporary French sociological studies of the social sciences. It will do so in close dialogue with leading sociologists at the CESSP in Paris, under the supervision of Professor Gisèle Sapiro. To disseminate its findings, the project will result in a conference, two academic articles, and a book manuscript; and in public-facing summaries in newspapers and EU-sponsored dissemination projects. Through innovative, interdisciplinary methods, GenHuC will provide the first substantial investigation into human capital, advancing multiple fields by reframing a series of sociological debates on 'neoliberalism,' 'biopolitics,' and 'biocapital,' and creating new connections between the history of science, sociology, and economics. In the process it will cement the base for a competitive research career in European academia.

Mots clés : history of economics historical sociology of the social sciences history of expertise sociology of knowledge

Participants :
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 195914.88 €
Projet CoSMOS-BC (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, with incidence rates rising and a significant economic burden. The disease is characterized by its dynamic and heterogeneous nature, involving complex molecular, genetic, and cellular changes. The tumor microenvironment (TME), particularly its inflammatory components such as cytokines, plays a crucial role in BC progression and treatment response. While targeted therapies have improved outcomes for some BC subtypes, significant challenges persist especially in treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which lacks specific molecular targets. The development of microfluidics devices that enable precise spatiotemporal control in cell culture offers new opportunities to simulate and study the TME more effectively than conventional methods. Such devices are crucial for modeling cancer progression and deepening our understanding of its biology. By mimicking human physiology, they provide a controlled platform for testing new therapies, reducing animal testing, and accelerating drug development. Additionally, they facilitate personalized medicine by recreating patient-specific tumor microenvironments and supporting tailored treatments. These advancements also bridge the gap between in vitro studies and clinical applications, driving oncology research forward and offering hope to millions of people. Aiming this, CoSMOS-BC proposes a microfluidic co-culture system with integrated sensors for real-time cytokine detection at the cellular level, designed to provide insights into intercellular communication and understand cellular dynamics within the TME. CoSMOS-BC has the potential to make significant strides in both the diagnosis and personalized treatment of breast cancer, paving the way for more effective and targeted therapeutic strategies.

Mots clés : breast cancer, microfluidics, sensors, lab on chip devices, cytokines, conductive polymers

Participants :
- Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures (Espagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université du Pays basque (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 209914.56 €
Projet FELQO (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The advancement of quantum optics has ushered in groundbreaking fields like quantum information and quantum control. While free-electron lasers have traditionally been studied through classical electromagnetism, this project, acronymed FELQO, seeks to explore the quantum nature of this system, aligning with the momentum of the second quantum revolution. By delving into the quantum optics of free-electron lasers, the project aims to achieve precise control over both electron wave functions and light fields, positioning this system as a versatile platform for quantum simulation and computing. In this innovative and interdisciplinary framework, the project will also tackle fundamental quantum challenges, including relativistic quantum dynamics and quantum measurement, which have intrigued scientists since the inception of quantum theory. This proposal represents a bold step into a novel and fundamental area of research, promising to deepen our understanding and potentially shape future quantum technologies.

Mots clés : quantum optics quantum simulation free electron laser pinem weak measurement superoscillation

Participants :
- Université du Pays basque (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 194074.56 €
Projet ICECOUP (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : TERMINATED

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is one of the greatest threats to human health. The global overuse of antibiotics has resulted in the proliferation and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria harboring a multitude of antibiotic resistance genes that can be mobilized by different horizontal gene transfer processes such as conjugation. Integrative Conjugative Elements (ICEs) are mobile genetic elements which are typically found integrated in the bacterial chromosome and encode the machinery for their conjugation. The so-called coupling proteins have a critical role in the conjugation process. ICECOUP is focused on the molecular and functional characterization of a critical component for ICE transmission, the coupling protein, with the ultimate goal of finding ICE conjugation inhibitors to block or, at least, minimize the AR spread. To date, ICE coupling proteins have received little attention despite their importance in the transfer mechanism. The supervision of Dr. Itziar Alkorta at the University of Basque Country(UPV/EHU) is a key element to guarantee the success of this project. ICECOUP will generate extensive and innovative scientific outputs that in the long run will have a societal impact, enhancing the catalogue of weapons to combat antibiotic resistance. The multidisciplinary approach of ICECOUP will allow me the reinforce my scientific knowledge and soft skills, while I acquire outreach and project management capacities. Undoubtedly, should this project be funded, it will strengthen my prospects to forge a stable career as an independent researcher able to secure funding.

Mots clés : conjugation, coupling proteins, antibiotic resistance

Participants :
- Université du Pays basque (Espagne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 165312.96 €
Projet SEMICON (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

With many prominent benefits in terms of durability, mechanical performance and architectural aesthetics, stainless steel is being increasingly used in structural engineering for improved sustainability and life-cycle performance. The unique mechanical properties of stainless steel challenge the conventional structural steel design methodology, which can lead to inaccurate and uneconomic design outcomes for stainless steel structures. An optimum solution to this issue is the emerging advanced analysis technology. With integrated structural analysis and member check, advanced analysis can fully exploit the beneficial strain hardening effect of stainless steel. However, existing advanced analysis methods assume either rigid or pinned beam-to-column connections, despite the general fact that common bolted connections in Europe are practically semi-continuous connections (SCCs), i.e. with finite rotational stiffness and moment capacity. The negligence of the semi-continuous effect can compromise the accuracy of advanced analysis, and undermine its economic benefits. To deal with this challenge, SEMICON will integrate the research strengths of the fellow and the host research group to develop an efficient advanced analysis framework for stainless steel structures with SCCs. Experimental and numerical studies will be carried out to provide the required knowledge and data for developing a component-based model to predict the full-range moment-rotation behaviour of stainless steel SCCs. This model will be integrated into an advanced analysis framework to allow more accurate, consistent and economic design of stainless steel structures. The project will complement the fellow’s research skill set and improve his transferrable skills towards further academic and professional maturity. In the long-term, the project will contribute to reducing the resource consumption and carbon emission of the construction industry, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Mots clés : advanced structural analysis design by analysis stainless steel structures semi continuous connections structural testing finite element analysis

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 276187.92 €
Projet VIPERMS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : SIGNED

In this proposal, I aim to investigate the mechanisms of structural-electronic coupling at both microscopic and nanoscopic levels and their effects on the optoelectronic properties of hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) single quantum dots. By leveraging my expertise in the photophysics of HOIPs nanocrystals, my experience in developing and utilizing vibrationally selective microscopy, and my host research group's proficiency in applying advanced vibrational-electronic techniques to study operando optoelectronic devices, we will push beyond the current state-of-the-art. We will develop a novel nonlinear spectroscopic microscopy technique with high temporal and spatial resolution. This approach will not only uncover the intrinsic mechanisms of vibronic coupling that affect optoelectronic properties in single quantum dots—mechanisms often hidden in traditional ensemble measurements—but also provide a unique method for studying how vibrational coupling influences quantum phenomena, such as single-photon emission. Our findings will offer mechanistic insights that can drive the development of new nanomaterials for photovoltaics, lighting applications, and single-photon sources.

Mots clés : electron phonon coupling ultrafast spectroscopy photoluminescence carrier dynamics

Participants :
- Imperial College London (Royaume-Uni) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 276187.92 €