M/F postdoctoral fellow « Innovative post-functionalization polyethylene for chemical upcycling and controlled degradation »

Job Description

Missions

Everyday plastics are very durable, a quality that is also their downfall: they are difficult to recycle or even simply convert using energy-efficient chemical processes. More effective methods for processing existing plastics are therefore needed. Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used and economical engineering thermoplastic, with global production exceeding 150 million tons per year. PE is sold in a variety of commercial grades used in various applications (packaging, automotive parts, medical devices, etc.). However, its chemical inertness and the strength of its C-C and C-H bonds make its chemical transformation particularly difficult.
This 24-month postdoctoral project aims to develop innovative strategies for the chemical modification of PE under mild conditions. The approach will focus on the introduction of functional groups along the polymer chains and/or the incorporation of cleavable motifs into the backbone. Rather than depolymerizing PE to its monomers, the objective is to create value-added materials through an upcycling strategy. By controlling the degree and nature of functionalization, the physical and chemical properties of the resulting materials can be tuned in a modular manner, opening new perspectives for expanding the application scope of PE.
The project lies at the interface between molecular chemistry, particularly C-H bond activation, and polymer chemistry, with an emphasis on the precise post-functionalization of polyolefins to address current limitations in their chemical recycling.
The research will be conducted jointly at the Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques (LCPO) and the Institut des Sciences Moléculaires (ISM) in Bordeaux, under the supervision of Prof. D. Taton and Prof. Y. Landais, within the framework of the ANR-funded project CYCLO-PE.

Activity

Molecular synthesis of functionalizing agents
Functionalization reaction on molecular model substrates
Polymer synthesis by chemical post-modification
Physico-chemical characterization of polymeric materials at different scales
Writing of reports and articles

Your Profil

Skills

Molecular chemistry skills.
Macromolecular synthesis skills.
Physicochemistry of molecular and macromolecular compounds.
Knowledge of polymer characterization techniques (SEC, DSC, NMR, etc.).

Your Work Environment

The Laboratory of Organic Polymer Chemistry (LCPO) is a joint research unit attached to the CNRS, the University of Bordeaux and the Bordeaux Polytechnic Institute (http://www.lcpo.fr). The LCPO is composed of 4 research teams and includes about 150 people, including about 50 permanent staff.
With more than 30 years of experience in polymer chemistry, the LCPO's research aims at :
- develop innovative methodologies for the precision synthesis of polymers, using biomimetic and/or green chemistry approaches
- develop functional polymeric materials by macromolecular engineering and self-assembly, particularly in the fields of renewable materials, health and energy
- to establish permanent links with the socio-economic world.
The candidate recruited will be under the supervision of Daniel Taton within Team 1 of the LCPO. He/she will work within the framework of the ANR “CYCLO-PE” project, coordinated by Prof. Daniel Taton of the LCPO in Bordeaux. This postdocoral project will be carried out in close collaboration with Pr. Yannick Landais of the ISM Laboratory in Bordeaux.
He/she will hold a PhD degree, preferably with expertise in Polymer Science.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between 3104 and 4261 €

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