Postdoc-Understanding and controlling the excited state of photocatalytic materials (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

Photo-(electro)catalytic technologies rely on the ability of materials to capture sunlight and drive chemical reactions. Mechanistically, this requires the efficient generation of reactive long-lived excited states. Yet, for many materials, the excited state lifetimes are very short, and this limits the performance of devices and their applicability. However, the physical and chemical reasons behind the short lifetimes and whether they can be prolonged synthetically or via physical methods remain poorly understood. This postdoctoral project will used adavnced spetroscopic tools to understand and control the excited state in functional solids, particularly metal oxides used for photo-electrocatalytic applications. Specifically, the postdoctoral candidate will develop and implement experimental tools to understand the optical response of solids, monitor the electronic and structural dynamics that take place upon photoexcitation and establish how such dynamics impact their fuctional repose. In addition, the research will aim to use optical methods to attempt to control such dynamics to improve device performance.

Activity

The research work will involve studies of ultrafast spectroscopy and photocrystallography conducted at the Institute of Physics of Rennes and may also involve application to large-scale facilities such as synchrotrons or X-ray Free Electron Lasers.

Your Profil

Skills

Candidates must have advanced knowledge in spectroscopy (UV VIS, IR or Raman) and, potentially, know how to use laser radiation to probe solids. A basic understanding of crystallography and competence in the development of optical configurations and microscopy tools may also be desirable. It is desirable that candidates be familiar with data processing programs (Python and similar) as well as the use of large-scale research infrastructures such as synchrotrons and XFEL.

Your Work Environment

This post-doctorate research will be based on the crystallography and time-resolved spectroscopy equipment available in Rennes. The work will be developed within the materials and light department of the IPR (UMR 6251) under the supervision of Ernest Pastor and Gregory Taupeir. Our department is an international and highly collaborative environment composed of about 20 people with more than two decades of expertise in spectroscopy and crystallography. https://ipr.univ-rennes.fr/departement-materiaux-et-lumiere#p-46.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Depending on experience: 3041,58 -4216,70 Eur.

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