Missions

Polymers are widely used in modern life due to their strength and durability, with applications ranging from construction to packaging. However, their long-lasting nature also poses environmental challenges, as they often persist in the form of microplastics in soil and oceans. The challenge for polymer science is to create materials that combine strong mechanical properties with the ability to break down at the end of their life cycle.
Recently, two technologies have emerged that offer new possibilities: high-throughput systems like flow chemistry, which can rapidly generate chemical data, and artificial intelligence (AI), which can analyze large datasets to uncover patterns that might be missed by humans. By combining these technologies, there is potential for significant advances in material discovery.
This project will apply flow synthesis and characterization to create degradable polymers, focusing on copolymers made through ring-opening polymerization. A combinatorial approach will be used to generate a variety of copolymers, which will then be evaluated for their degradability and mechanical properties. Using active learning, a branch of AI, the research will be guided through the large parameter space of copolymers to efficiently identify materials with optimal mechanical properties and controlled degradability.

Activities

The primary task is to develop techniques for synthesizing degradable polymers and copolymers using ring-opening polymerization in a flow chemistry reactor, coupled with online characterization devices.

Skills

Candidates must hold a PhD in organic polymer chemistry and have strong expertise in techniques ranging from synthesis to characterization. Specific knowledge of water- and oxygen-sensitive polymerizations is highly desirable. Familiarity with a programming language such as Python, R or Labview would be an asset. The ability to work in a team and a good command of English are required.

Work Context

The postdoctoral position is part of the AMETHYST project and the PEPR DIADEM program and will take place at the Laboratory of Organic Polymer Chemistry (LCPO, UMR 5629 CNRS-University of Bordeaux-Bordeaux INP) within Team 1: Polymer Catalysis and Engineering. It will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from IMP (UMR 5223) and LIRIS (UMR 5205) in Lyon, as well as BIA (INRAE, UR 1268) in Nantes. All the LCPO's infrastructure and expertise in polymer engineering will be made available for the project.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

None