Missions

As part of the Emergence@CNRS CHEMISTRY project “OPERATE,” the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of an innovative experimental approach for the operando study of the stability of electrolytes in aqueous redox flow batteries.
The objective of the project is to design and operate an experimental platform coupling a redox flow battery test bench with a UV–visible spectroscopy cell integrated into the fluidic circuit, enabling real-time monitoring of the degradation of redox species, pH, and dissolved oxygen.

Activités

The postdoctoral researcher will have the following main activities:
· Design, implementation, and optimization of a coupled redox flow battery / operando UV–visible spectroscopy setup.
· Development of experimental protocols for simultaneous monitoring of electrolyte composition, pH, and dissolved oxygen.
· Validation of the setup on model compounds.
· Study of degradation mechanisms of nitroxide derivatives and iron complexes under operando conditions.
· Correlation of degradation mechanisms with physico-chemical parameters (pH, concentration, temperature) and electrochemical cycling conditions.
· Use of results in connection with complementary ex situ analyses (NMR, LC-MS, voltammetry, rotating electrodes).
· Writing scientific publications and disseminating results at international conferences.

Compétences

Knowledge
· Electrochemistry of energy storage systems
· Physico-chemistry of electrolytes
· UV–visible spectroscopy
· Degradation and ageing mechanisms
Technical skills
· Implementation of complex experimental setups
· Conducting electrochemical experiments under controlled conditions
· Analysis and processing of experimental data
· Scientific writing in French and English
Soft skills
· Autonomy
· Scientific rigor
· Initiative
· Ability to work in a team and in a multidisciplinary environment

Contexte de travail

The position is based at the Charles Gerhardt Institute Montpellier (ICGM), Department of Materials Chemistry, Nanostructures and Materials for Energy. ICGM is a joint research unit of CNRS and the University of Montpellier, internationally recognized for its expertise in electrochemistry of energy storage and conversion.
The postdoctoral researcher will work in a high-level experimental environment including a redox flow battery test bench, a UV–visible cell with very short optical path length, and shared analytical platforms (NMR, LC-MS, advanced electrochemistry).

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

Use of chemical products and electrically powered equipment, in strict compliance with current safety regulations.