GIANT Junior Ambassadors

Being a GIANT Junior Ambassador means embarking on a dynamic, varied, and flexible adventure.

If you’re a PhD student looking to get involved in campus life, help strengthen the GIANT community, and develop valuable skills in leadership, communication, and organization, this opportunity is for you!

How does the recruitment process work?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis as they come in!

For the 2025/2026 year, the team will be limited to a maximum of around ten members.

What are the requirements to join the GJA team?

IMPORTANT DATES YOU MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR:

Teambuilding session with the new GIANT Ambassador team

Preparatory meetings for JSiam on March 19, 2026

Preparatory meetings for the PhD Workshops

Here is the current GIANT Junior Ambassadors team!

Muhammad, originally from Pakistan, is currently pursuing his PhD at the Centre for Radiofrequencies, Optic, and Micro-nanoelectronics (CROMA), Université Grenoble Alpes. His researches focuses on developing transparent piezoelectric transducers based on ZnO nanowires for energy harvesting and sensing applications. He enjoys the creativity and discovery that come with experimental research. Outside the lab, he likes exploring new places, spending time with his family, and following financial markets. If he could instantly gain one skill, it would be playing the piano.
#Curious #Innovative #Explorer

Éleonora, originally from Italy, is a third-year PhD student in Neuroscience at CEA. She is a biologist working on drug-resistant epilepsy.
Since her first days at university, she has always been curious about how things work and fascinated by the idea of discovering something new. That curiosity naturally led her to research and, eventually, to her PhD. Outside the lab, she loves baking (especially when she can share it with the people she loves) and reading, which has always been her favorite way to explore new worlds without moving an inch.
If she could have a superpower, it would be to remember every song lyric she hears because no matter how many times she listen a song, somehow she always get them wrong!
#Curious #Empathetic #Resilient

Jamie, originally from the USA, is a third year PhD student at the LMGP lab studying sustainable materials engineering. Her thesis project is developing a material that can collect water from the Earth’s atmosphere without any electricity input to address global water scarcity. She loves doing a PhD to be able to contribute to a field I am passionate about and exchange ideas with other scientists from around the world. In her free time, she loves running, playing soccer, and enjoying the mountains of Grenoble by hiking and skiing.

#waterscientist #climateadvocate #sporty

Zahraa, originally from Lebanon, is a PhD student at CEA-Leti in Grenoble. Her research focuses on the detection of lithium at ultra-trace levels in microelectronic materials. Passionate about discovery and continuous learning, Zahraa chose a PhD because it allows her to explore new things and contribute to scientific progress. Outside the lab, she enjoys painting, long walks in the mountains around Grenoble, and evenings with friends sharing good food and laughter. Nature and human connection are her favorite ways to recharge and find inspiration. If she could have a superpower, it would be the ability to master any language, to connect effortlessly with people and cultures across the world.

#Calm #Curious #Naturelover

 Ange, originally from Rwanda, is a PhD student at CEA-Liten in the LAPS lab, within the DEHT department. Her work focuses on operando analysis of gases released in Na- and Li-ion batteries. She chose this field because the shift to renewable transport is growing, yet battery chemistry still needs deeper understanding for safer use. The research is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and she’s acquiring so many new skills. In her free time, she plays guitar, sing, workout, or chat with her family. If she could have a superpower, it would be reading people’s minds.

#CalmSoul #GentleSpirit #IntuitiveMind.

Maryna, originally from Ukraine, is a second year PhD student at CEA-Leti, where she is working on 3D chemical characterization of novel semiconducting devices. She became passioned about this field during her Master’s degree in Physics in Padua, Italy. Since then, Maryna is working hard on contributing into the microelectronics R&D sector as well as pushing the horizons in materials characterisation. Outside of the lab, she spends time either in the mountains or organizing social activities for PhD students from the whole Grenoble area. Sometimes Maryna dreams about having a teleporting superpower to attend all PhD and industry oriented events to learn something new and expand her network (without spending hours in the public transport! 😃)

#WomenInSTEM #MountainsLover #Social

Mario, from Byblos in Lebanon, is a PhD candidate in Grenoble, where he works at CEA LETI on quantification of binary compounds using Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy to better understand advanced techniques and materials. Curious and motivated by discovery, he chose a PhD because he enjoys the collaborative research environment and the feeling that each experiment teaches him something new. Passionate about linking fundamental physics with real applications, he sees his project as a way to contribute to future high-performance technologies. Outside the lab, he likes going to the gym and cooking for friends and family, moments that help him keep a good work-life balance. If he could instantly gain a non-scientific skill, it would be exceptional sales skills, the ability to sell almost anything and share his ideas with the world.

#Work#Train#Eat

Rayan , originally from Lebanon, is Ph.D. candidate at CEA-Leti in Grenoble, specializing in the characterization of 2D materials. Her researches focuses on understanding the physical properties of 2D materials grown by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and analyzing the effects of defect, doping, and other factors using Raman spectroscopy, XPS, and photoluminescence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fundamental Physics from the Lebanese University and a Master’s degree from the NanoX program in Toulouse, where she was awarded a scholarship. Her work aims to advance the integration of 2D materials into real-world devices for nanoelectronics and optoelectronics applications.
Outside the lab, she enjoys walking in nature and hiking in the mountains. She also loves cooking authentic Lebanese food, which brings her a lot of joy.
If she had to describe herself in 3 words she would say

#Ambitious #Optimistic #Curious

Yassin, is in his second year as a GIANT Junior Ambassador (2025/2026), originally from Morocco, he is pursuing a PhD on Sodium-Ion Batteries at CEA-LITEN, developing next-generation energy storage materials. He chose to do a PhD to contribute to more sustainable energy systems. Outside the lab, Yassin follows FC Barcelona, watches anime, and spends his free time bodybuilding and playing football. If he could instantly acquire one non-scientific skill, he’d love to be a DJ, mixing music and sharing good vibes after long days in the lab.

#EnergyStorageEnthusiast #CuriousMind #TeamPlayer

ALUMNI 2024 – 2025

ALUMNI 2023 – 2024

Your mission: structure and promote the GIANT community!

Internally | Inform students and researchers Externally | Be able to present the GIANT campus to any visitor

Events by and for PhD students | JSiam on March 19, 2026 | The PhD Workshops | Take on a role within the team and attend all preparatory meetings | Participate in all events and be present on the JSiam event day

| Share information and promote GIANT programs | Take part in the GJA portrait series on social media | Follow GIANT on social media

The GIANT Junior Ambassadors Charter!

This charter gathers all your commitments as an ambassador as well as the benefits you’ll receive if you fulfill all your missions.
It is signed by ALL program members during the teambuilding session!

Take a look at the charter of the GJA!

Recognition for your commitment as a GIANT Junior Ambassador!

By taking on this role, you actively contribute to the scientific and community life of the campus.
In return, your involvement is recognized through several exclusive benefits!

The GIANT Junior Ambassadors are responsible for designing and organizing key events for their fellow PhD students, fostering networking, and professional development.

JSiam – Junior Scientist & Industry annual meeting

JSiam is a must-attend networking event that allows young researchers to explore career opportunities in industry and startups, while beginning to build their professional network.

Next edition: Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Maison MINATEC

The program is currently being prepared. More information will be available here soon.
In the meantime, check out the event video here.

PhD Workshop

The PhD Workshops are interactive sessions designed for PhD students and postdocs. They provide a space for discussion on topics such as:

• employment and career development,

• thesis management,

• well-being at work,

• and many other key issues in the life of a young researcher.

Each workshop is led by an expert in the field, combining theoretical input with practical exercises.

The upcoming dates and topics will be available here soon, along with registration links.