[1] Alumni of the École normale supérieure de Saint-Cloud (sciences) (1965), Jacques Prost studied at Harvard University and founded and head (1987–1995) the "Theoretical Physico-Chemistry" Group[2] of the ESPCI ParisTech under the direction of Pierre-Gilles de Gennes.

His group studied liquid crystal[3] and soft matter properties.

His group studies physical approaches to biological problems and describes cell motion, molecular motors, the properties of biological membranes and protein adhesion.

Jacques Prost was the scientific advisor to Elf Aquitaine from 1990 to 1999.

Jacques Prost has been the General director of ESPCI ParisTech,[5] since 2003.