Engineer (M/F) analytical chemistry

Job Description

Missions

The chemical characterization of organic compounds in the gas and particulate phases is a major challenge across a wide range of fields, including atmospheric chemistry, air quality, environmental health, and medical diagnostics. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) represent a central link between these issues: they contribute to the formation of secondary particles in the atmosphere, act as biomarkers in infectious processes, and serve as essential tracers of natural and anthropogenic emission sources.
Online mass spectrometry techniques have opened up unprecedented analytical perspectives by enabling real-time, high-sensitivity, and high-mass-resolution measurements of hundreds of compounds simultaneously in complex matrices. Their deployment in diverse scientific contexts — polar atmospheres, urban environments, exhaled breath, atmospheric simulation chambers, remote field sites — nevertheless requires rigorous work in analytical development, calibration, and validation.
It is within this framework that the proposed position is situated, within a multidisciplinary team working at the interface of analytical chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental sciences.

Activity

The research engineer will be responsible for developing, implementing, and optimizing analytical methodologies based on online mass spectrometry for the measurement and characterization of organic compounds in both the gas and particulate phases. He/she will contribute to several research projects conducted within the laboratory, addressing atmospheric and/or environmental health issues. The research engineer will be tasked with developing and optimizing measurement protocols using online mass spectrometry techniques.

Your Profil

Skills

A background in analytical chemistry is expected, with particular emphasis on mass spectrometry techniques. The candidate should have hands-on experience with online mass spectrometry instrumentation, including instrument operation, calibration, and method development.
Experience in instrumentation design and automation is required, including the ability to develop, adapt, or troubleshoot analytical setups for laboratory and/or field deployment.
Programming skills in LabVIEW and/or Python would be a strong asset, particularly for instrument control, data acquisition, and automated data processing workflows.

Your Work Environment

IRCELYON is a joint research unit (UMR) between the CNRS and the University of Lyon, bringing together the expertise in heterogeneous catalysis of the Lyon region to form the largest catalysis laboratory in France and in Europe. The laboratory comprises 115 permanent researchers from the CNRS and the University of Lyon, along with a similar number of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. As an academic research laboratory entirely dedicated to heterogeneous processes, IRCELYON focuses its research activities on the challenges of sustainable development.
More specifically, the CARE team sits at the crossroads of several major societal issues related to water resources, waste valorization, air quality, and climate change. Its fundamental and applied research draws on a combination of strong scientific expertise and an innovative, high-performance analytical platform to characterize, eliminate, and valorize pollutants. Operating at the interface of environmental sciences, heterogeneous catalysis, analytical chemistry, and electrochemistry, the CARE team develops innovative methods in remediation (photocatalysis, electrochemical promotion of catalysis, etc.), process coupling (catalysis–photocatalysis, catalysis–electrochemistry, etc.), and chemical analysis (high-resolution mass spectrometry) for the study of atmospheric processes.

A stimulating work environment in close contact with research staff
44 days of annual leave and RTT (time off in lieu)
Excellent working conditions, including flexible hours
An on-site cafeteria offering meals at competitive prices
Tailored training programs to support your professional development
A site accessible by public transport, with private parking available
Partial reimbursement of public transport costs (75%), plus a sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300/year
Financial contribution towards health insurance (mutuelle)
Access to the CNRS Social and Economic Action Committee (CAES) after 6 months of employment

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

starting at 2 521 euros (gross) / month based on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions