Missions

Post-doctoral research position for operando characterization of nanoporous ceramic materials by acoustic response measurements.

The objective of the work will be to develop methods for online monitoring of membrane materials and the treatment of fluids in their porosity. The project represents a valuable step towards new instrumentation, and would constitute a breakthrough towards applications in separation or catalysis. This research is fundamental in nature but could lead to a direct industrial transfer with e.g. VEOLIA, Saint Gobain, MISTRAS, Total, etc.

Activités

- Bibliographic and technological survey on the subject
- Online monitoring of acoustic responses in porous membrane materials operando.
- Establish the relationship between the porous structure and the acoustic footprints of materials.
- Interactions with project partners, in particular for the validation of acoustic experiments and associated data processing.

Compétences

The selected candidate will be motivated to work independently within an inter-team and multidisciplinary project. He/She must demonstrate curiosity and good work organization. In order to achieve the objective, he/she must be able to analyze the results with a critical and positive spirit, favoring exchanges and discussions with the members of the project. He/She will also have to present the results in a clear, concise and precise manner, both orally and in written reports. These requirements impose very good interpersonal behavior and communication skills.

The candidate must hold a PhD degree, ideally in relation with acoustics and instrumentation. More specifically, the candidate must be familiar with the physics of sound waves, acoustic signal measurement and associated data processing.
Additionally, he/she must have motivation to solve scientific problems and the ability to communicate easily in English (oral and written). Knowledge of French is a plus.

Contexte de travail

The ecological transition and migratory crises lead to growing needs in terms of separation of compounds (depollution, water treatment, CO2, CH4, H2 separation). Membrane processes based on nanoporous materials are particularly relevant because they are economically viable and technologically mature. Their extension requires transposing their operation to extreme and/or constrained environments. In this quest, monitoring methods must be developed and acoustic methods offer enormous unexplored potential.

The post-doctoral fellow will be recruited for 12 months, potentially renewable. He will work with two main actors of the project located in Montpellier: the Institut of Electronics and Systems (IES-UMR5214) and the Institut Européen des Membranes (IEM-UMR5635), under the scientific responsibility of Prof. Emmanuel Le Clézio and Dr. Anne Julbe, respectively.

The IES is a specialist in reliable electronic components & systems for Observation & Measurement in extreme and hostile environments (Space, Nuclear, Defense and Sea). It benefits from recognition at the state of the world art on four strong themes: Infrared, Reliability, Sensors and TeraHertz. Specialist in components & systems in the fields of electronics, micro-electronics, photonics, energy, thermal and acoustics, the IES is able to provide scientific and technological developments for the observation, measurement and analysis of physical phenomena.

The IEM is a leading research center in the field of membrane science and related materials & processes. The staff involved in the project has solid expertise in the development and characterization of inorganic and hybrid membranes based on nanomaterials for applications in fluid separation and processing. The IEM has all the specific equipment necessary for the characterization of porous materials and membranes, including the coupling of fluid permeation & acoustic signature measurements.

Both IES and IEM labs focus on the resolution of pregnant societal challenges (energy, water, food, health, town planning, security, climate change, pollution, etc.). They collaborate with a variety of national and international universities and research centers. They also maintain strong partnership with the industrial world.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

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Informations complémentaires

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