Missions

The candidate (M/F) will participate in a research project on the recycling of strategic metals at the Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule (ICSM).
As part of the LTSM team (Laboratoire de Tri ionique par des Systèmes Moléculaires auto-assemblés), the candidate will contribute to research activities in the field of strategic metals recycling.
In particular, the candidate will provide expertise in the design and implementation of extraction systems for the development of more environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical processes.
The process combines traditional hydrometallurgical techniques with ionic liquids for more selective extraction of specific metals of interest. Proof of concept has already been demonstrated in the laboratory. The task will be to validate the process at TRL4 level, identifying the technological hurdles and focusing on the implementation of optimisation pathways to achieve optimal efficiency, selectivity and industrialisation.
At the end of the technology maturation phase (12 months), a start-up will be created and structured by the 4elements start-up studio. You will become a co-founder of the start-up. The candidate will then take on the role of CTO of the start-up created and will be involved in defining the company's technical strategy.

Activities

- Implement and validate the different stages of the proposed flow sheet,
- Check the recyclability of the process,
- Prepare the full material and energy balances for the process,
- Contribute to the economic feasibility study of the process,
Monitor the project within the laboratory and report regularly to the SATT AxLR Project Leader with the aim of organising the project resources in the most effective way.
- Prepare progress meetings with ICSM, SATT AxLR and 4Elements.
- Prepare presentations or other support for meetings with various partners/prospects/investors
- Write progress reports
The person recruited will have access to the scientific project leader in the laboratory and the 4Elements start-up studio to compare ideas and set up a work programme.
Regular progress meetings will be held with SATT AxLR.

Skills

With a Ph-D degree in Process Engineering, you will be experienced and ready to take on the challenge of developing a laboratory solution into an innovative, industrialisable process.
You will have proven experience in process engineering, ideally in the field of metal extraction. You are comfortable working in a laboratory environment and are familiar with the use of conventional tools.
Personal qualities: You are ambitious, curious, creative, persistent and comfortable analysing and solving technical problems. You will have excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Research: You have the ability to conduct scientific enquiry and find information, whether to explain observed phenomena or to find solutions to problems encountered.
Independence: You have the ability to work independently.
Entrepreneurial spirit: You want to embark on a deep-tech entrepreneurial adventure, give meaning to your actions and make a difference.
Start-up environment: You're ready to work in the fast-paced environment of an early-stage start-up.
English: You are comfortable with written and spoken English.

Work Context

The main mission of the LTSM (UMR5257 - Marcoule site: https://www.icsm.fr/index.php?pagendx=app_140 ) is to carry out fundamental research based on the understanding and control of the phenomena that influence ionic separation by means of specific ionic equilibria between two fluids separated by an interface and conditioned by organised molecular systems (micelles, microemulsions, colloids, liquid crystals). Research will therefore focus on the synthesis of specific ligands and materials for ion separation, used in conventional (liquid/liquid, solid/liquid) or unconventional (membranes, pertraction, ionic liquids) extraction processes, with emphasis on understanding the mechanisms governing the separation. The aim is to develop an approach based on detailed characterisation combined with multi-scale modelling to establish predictive models that can then be used to extend the approach to the optimisation of extraction systems. Beyond the purely nuclear field, these selective effects will be studied and implemented in various processes related to the recycling of materials associated with energy production and, more generally, with a view to sustainable development, for example in decontamination or the selective recycling of strategic metals.
A pleasant living environment: Our laboratory is located in an attractive region, offering a good work-life balance.
The candidate will join a team of researchers from the Institut de Chimie Séparative de Marcoule, the SATT AxLR project team and the 4Elements team.

Constraints and risks

Knowledge of chemical risks desired.