Missions

The recruited person will carry out the work of a researcher in organic synthesis and molecular self-assemblies, namely that they will be asked first to develop new synthesis strategies in the host research group: compared to previous work, a first problem will be to introduce new photo-crosslinkable chemical functions…
In close interaction with the team but also the partner specializing in the characterization of 2D self-assemblies by STM, he/she will then be a driving force in proposing new molecular architectures in relation to the targeted application; He/she will also take the lead in measurements using near-field techniques and interactions with our physicist colleagues, in order to acquire new skills.

Activités

• Design and synthesis of new molecules with photocrosslinking functionalities that can self-assemble on surfaces according to compatible patterns. This task will utilize the expertise of the ILV (Laboratory of Optical Laboratory) and model systems based on previous studies by partners.
• Characterizing these new assemblies in air or at the liquid-solid interface to ensure that the conditions are met for inducing optically controlled chemical crosslinking.
• Characterizing the evolution of the assembly following light excitation to highlight the photochemical crosslinking of the illuminated area: the LEPO's expertise in scanning probe microscopy (AFM, STM) combined with light excitations will be used to monitor the evolution of the assemblies formed under illumination in situ.

Compétences

- Technical skills: The candidate must possess strong expertise in organic synthesis (under controlled atmosphere, with experience handling reaction intermediates that are sensitive to light and temperature) and be proficient in all purification tools used in organic chemistry (distillation, crystallization, separation). Experience with near-field analysis techniques would also be an asset.
- Knowledge: The successful candidate must be able to independently characterize their intermediate and final compounds (structural characterization by NMR, IR, and Mass spectrometry in particular). Knowledge in the following three areas would also be an advantage: photocrosslinking, surface characterization, and nanophotonics.
- Soft skills: The candidate should have a strong academic background with a PhD in synthetic chemistry, and be interested in self-assembly issues and/or supramolecular chemistry in general. They should be enthusiastic, proactive, and autonomous, and enjoy working in a team.

Contexte de travail

The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is a major player in fundamental research worldwide, and is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique multi-specialist position allows it to combine different scientific disciplines to shed light on and address the challenges of the contemporary world, in collaboration with public and socio-economic stakeholders. Within this framework, it is closely linked to research in the academic world through joint research units (UMRs) located on various campuses.
For example, the Lavoisier Institute of Versailles (ILV) is a CNRS/UVSQ UMR created in 2006 that brings together all the chemists of UVSQ. The institute is located on the campus of the Faculty of Sciences and occupies the entire Lavoisier building (3,900 m², including 1,620 m² of laboratories and 941 m² of offices). We therefore benefit from a high-quality working environment with modern research infrastructure and equipment adapted to our needs.
The ILV is organized into 3 teams comprising a total of 55 permanent staff (researchers, research professors, and research support staff), namely i) the EPI team (Electrochemistry and Physicochemistry at Interfaces, headed by Anne-Marie Goncalves), ii) the MIM team (Molecules, Interactions, Materials, headed by Emmanuel Cadot), and the SORG team (Organic Synthesis of Versailles, headed by Xavier Moreau). This leads the different research groups to be involved in the following themes:
- EPI: interfacial electrochemistry; physicochemistry of surfaces and interfaces; electron spectroscopies
- MIM: inorganic molecules, molecular materials: synthesis, properties, and characterization
- SORG: catalysis and heterocycles; fluorinated compounds and photo-induced processes; Molecular materials: design, development, and applications; valorization of natural products and industrial applications.
The successful candidate will join this latter team, and more specifically the "molecular materials" research area led by Professor Kreher. Indeed, the candidate will join the PANEL project (selected and funded for the next four years by the French National Research Agency, ANR). Our group is the partner in charge of synthesizing innovative materials with post-photo-crosslinkable chemical functionalities, and then characterizing the molecular self-assemblies obtained on surfaces at the CEA (using STM, among other techniques) as well as their evolution under light irradiation. This position falls within the scope of the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent authority of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESR).

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

Original project with significant synthetic challenges, in addition to the final stage of photo-crosslinking on the surface of the obtained 2D molecular self-assemblies.