Missions

The SAMCat team (From the Active Site to the Catalytic Material) of IC2MP (Poitiers Institute of Chemistry : Materials and Natural Resources) at CNRS, is recruiting a post-doctoral researcher in order to work on proton-conducting high temperature electrochemical system for production and utilization of ammonia.
The post-doc will prepare electrode and electrolyte material powders, and shape cells to evaluate electrocatalytic performance under different reaction atmospheres (H2, H2O, N2, NH3) and temperatures (500 to 700°C). In parallel, he or she will study electronic and ionic conduction properties using 4-point conductivity tests and isotope exchange measurements on the synthesized materials and cells.

Activities

The main activities will be:
• To prepare the ceramic materials.
• To shape the electrochemical cells using screen printing.
• To conduct the electrolysis experiments as well as electrochemical characterization (polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, conductivity measurements…) by optimizing the experimental procedures.
• To interpret the experimental data and to present them in reports and meetings.
• To detect troubleshooting issues and interact with technical platform for repairing and maintaining of experimental devices.
• To present the progress of the studies in periodic consortium meetings.
• To write/participate to the writing of scientific articles.

Skills

The expected skills and knowledge are those of a PhD in Chemical Physics and more precisely the following ones:
• Very good knowledge in solid state electrochemistry. Background on proton-conducting ceramic systems and knowledge in heterogeneous catalysis would be appreciated.
• Autonomous mastery in classical preparation methods for ceramic powder synthesis (combustion, solid state, citrate-nitrate) and associated structural characterization.
• Autonomous mastery of SOEC/SOFC type reactors.
• Very good ability for critical analysis of experimental data and for presentation of scientific results.
• Thorough knowledge of health and safety rules related to the field of intervention.
• Very good command of English (listening, writing and speaking).

Work Context

IC2MP is a joint unit of research from CNRS and University of Poitiers with 250 people including c.a. 100 researchers localized in the main campus of the University. The SAMCat team is specialised in the design and physico-chemical characterization of catalytic and electro-catalytic materials for environmental (pollution abatement from air/water) and energetic (bio-fuel, fuel cells, electrolysis,…) applications.
The work will be carried out under a collaborative research contract with an industrial partner. The post-doc will work under the supervision of a CNRS research director and a senior lecturer. He or she will present his or her progress at a monthly meeting with the industrial partner, and will be expected to produce two intermediate technical reports and a final report.

Constraints and risks

Risks linked to the handling of gas-phase hydrogen and ammonia