Missions

This postdoctoral contract is a collaboration between the Clermont-Ferrand Institute of Chemistry and the R&D department of the ORANO group.
Orano, a major player in low-carbon nuclear energy, is leveraging its expertise to develop new fuels for the next generation of nuclear reactors and small modular reactors.
Within the framework of a new strategic project, the objective is to study the corrosion behavior of various nickel alloys in fluorinated and chlorinated environments with the aim of designing an industrial process for manufacturing these new fuels. As part of the Inorganic Materials team at the Clermont-Ferrand Institute of Chemistry (ICCF), which specializes in fluorine chemistry, your main responsibilities will include:
• Evaluate the corrosion rate of various nickel alloys in the presence of chlorinated and/or fluorinated gases using a gravimetric method.
• Determine the corrosion typology of these alloys through metallographic analysis (XRD, optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, XPS).
• Characterize any potential passivation phenomena of these alloys in the presence of chlorinated and/or fluorinated gases.
• Interact regularly with the partner academic laboratory and the R&D teams of the Orano group.

Activities

As part of the Inorganic Materials team at the Clermont-Ferrand Institute of Chemistry (ICCF), specializing in fluorine chemistry, your main responsibilities will include:
• Evaluating the corrosion rate of various nickel alloys in the presence of chlorinated and/or fluorinated gases using gravimetric methods
• Determining the corrosion typology of these alloys through metallographic analysis (XRD, optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, XPS)
• Characterizing any potential passivation phenomena in these alloys in the presence of chlorinated and/or fluorinated gases
• Regularly interacting with the partner academic laboratory and the R&D teams of the Orano group
• Writing literature reviews

Skills

You have a PhD in inorganic chemistry or equivalent and possess the following technical skills:
• Knowledge of metals, chlorine and fluorine chemistry
• Experience in gas handling is recommended
• Ability to combine characterization data from various analytical techniques (XRD, IR and UV spectroscopy, NMR, etc.)
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in French and English
In addition, you possess the following qualities:
• You demonstrate a high degree of autonomy, scientific rigor, and intellectual curiosity
• You have strong analytical skills and are proactive in proposing solutions
• You are able to network effectively with academic and industrial partners
• You are capable of significant involvement in an innovative project

Work Context

This project will be conducted at the Institute of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF UMR 6296) in the fluorine and fluorinated materials theme in the inorganic materials team. ICCF is structured around six research teams with strong specificities recognized at national and international levels in various multidisciplinary domains. The working environment and means will be provided by the Inorganic Materials team.

Constraints and risks

Main risks are associated with chlorine and fluorine laboratory risks and nuclear material radioprotection.