General information
Offer title : Young postdoctoral researcher : new bio-based functional materials for catalysts binder and Anion Exchange Membrane for H2 production- M/F (H/F)
Reference : UMR5254-SOPPUY-108
Number of position : 1
Workplace : PAU
Date of publication : 03 April 2025
Type of Contract : Researcher in FTC
Contract Period : 15 months
Expected date of employment : 1 June 2025
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : Between 2 991.58 € and 4 756.76€ € gross monthly, according expérience
Desired level of education : Doctorate
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : 15 - Materials, nanomaterials and processes chemistry
Missions
The candidate will take a leading role in the synthesis of functional bio-based and IonicLiquid monomers and their macromolecular homologues by Controlled Radical Polymerization. The final polymeric material will be used in electrocatalytic conditions and also processed as additives/films in electrolyzer implementation.
Activities
- Developing the chemo-enzymatic (meth)acrylics and ILs monomers synthesis for copolymers designs by CRP,
- Characterization and the self-assembly of the functional macromolecules.
- Implementation of the copolymers as new functional materials as AEM for H2 evolution in an electrolyzer.
- Redaction of manuscripts and reports.
- Publication and presentations in English of the research results in the framework of the BIM group and ENDURION consortium.
- Assistance with writing IP protection documents.
Skills
- Strong background in Polymer science (PhD), specifically in macromolecular designs and the physical chemistry properties of their homologues.
- Expertise in block copolymers self-assembly is also desirable.
- Preliminary experiences in adhesion or electrocatalytic reactions will be a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are required for this position, especially in the context of a highly multidisciplinary topic within the collaborative ENDURION project.
Work Context
The Bio-inspired Materials BIM group of the IPREM Institute (UMR 5254 CNRS and University of Pau & Adour) in Pau (South-West of France), is looking for a very good, highly motivated candidate for a postdoc position opening in June 2025. The BIM group has been developing bio-sourced (meth)acrylic polymers based on terpenoids for several years and now aims to use them for nano-structured membranes elaboration by block copolymers self-assembly. Recently, we also demonstrated the interesting behavior of these bio-based polymers as Solid PolyElectrolytes for batteries and PolyIonicLiquids PILs to tune selectively the electrocatalytic reactions either for CO2 reduction or H2 evolution.
Herein the project, both functional monomers will be combined to design and develop efficient and stable copolymers as new functional materials as catalysts binder and Anion Exchange Membrane for H2 evolution.
In addition, as part of the ENDURION JTI-CleanH2 European project leaded by AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology), the candidate will have to travel to European countries.
For information on the project and position, interested candidates are encouraged to contact Pr. Laurent BILLON, leader of the Bio-inspired Materials group BIMG: Functionality & Self-assembly, by email at laurent.billon@univ-pau.fr.
(https://iprem.univ-pau.fr/fr/_plugins/mypage/mypage/content/billon.html)
Please include a CV, brief description of research interests, and contact information for at least one professional reference.
Constraints and risks
Contact with halogenated solvents for NMR analysis