Researcher’s portrait – ISITE-BFC fellowships

1. On the second ISITE-BFC call for project, you applied for a UBFC Senior Fellowship. Could you please give us the main motives of your application?

My application was driven by two main motivations.

Firstly, the desire to pursue an exciting research project. In 2014, I initiated a new research activity on an innovative method of electro-optical frequency comb spectroscopy (EO-DCS) and we quickly acquired an international reputation on the subject, which is today experiencing very strong growth in international research. An evaluation of the potential for exploitation of the EO-DCS spectrometer has revealed a very strong interest from manufacturers of scientific, monitoring and analytical instruments as well as environmental and medical-biomedical analysis laboratories (particularly regarding its application in the mid-infrared range). As an example of application, the mid-infrared spectrometer we have developed has provided very encouraging initial results of measurements of the 13C/12C isotope ratio in carbon dioxide for the analysis of exhaled air. Exhaled air contains many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that allow the early identification of certain severe diseases (diabetes, Parkinson’s, peptic ulcers, cancers). Thus, the detection of these components by non-invasive methods is a major societal challenge for the years to come. Other applications are possible, such as outdoor gas analysis (environment), chemical gas detection, non-linear imaging (stimulated Raman microscopy, CARS), early diagnosis of plant stress, real-time analysis of automobile exhaust gases and combustion or the development of ultra-precise optical frequency synthesizers. However, the maturity of the EO-DCS spectrometer, although perfectly adapted to on-board use, was nevertheless considered insufficient until now to arouse their immediate interest. The objective of our research project is therefore to design a functional and handheld spectrometer, for non-experts, in order to foster interdisciplinarity at a high international level.

Other motivations for this candidature, the European Research Council (ERC) and the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF). The idea of applying for an ERC contract had been on my mind for several years already. Despite the quality of the research carried out in many fields, there are very few ERC laureates in Bourgogne – Franche-Comté. One of the reasons for this may be related to the insufficient assistance given to researchers and teacher-researchers to put together applications for which the slightest misinformation or presentation can be detrimental. While administrative and financial support exists and is appreciated, the lack of a more global strategy to identify and assist the most promising research topics and researchers most likely to win ERC contracts is lacking. The UBFC senior fellowship program seemed to me to be an adequate response to this deficiency, while also being in line with the objectives of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) to encourage and stimulate applications to the ERC. One of my objectives was also to apply to the IUF.