Post-doctorat (M/F) in hybrid catalysis and microreactors

Job Description

Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for selecting and immobilizing chemical catalysts for the dehydration of fructose into 5-HMF. They will then investigate the coupling between the two catalytic processes and assess the overall performance of the triphasic reactor for the conversion of glucose into 5-HMF, with a view to developing a model of the system.

Activity

-Conduct a literature review to identify suitable chemical catalysts for D-fructose dehydration, considering their immobilization potential, stability and compatibility with the intended operating conditions.
-Evaluate the reactivity of the selected catalysts towards 5-HMF formation in conventional batch reactors.
-Develop and assess immobilization strategies using suitable supports or directly on reactor surfaces.
-Evaluate the reactivity of the immobilized catalysts towards 5-HMF formation in monophasic and then biphasic reactor configurations.
-Investigate the overall reactivity and performance of the complete triphasic hybrid reactor.
-Communicate findings through project meetings, scientific reports and publications.

Your Profil

Skills

-Applicants should have a PhD in materials chemistry, chemical engineering and/or catalysis. Candidates should have strong experimental skills and a solid background in catalysis. Experience in catalyst synthesis or immobilization, as well as physicochemical characterization, would be an asset, as would familiarity with continuous-flow systems and chromatographic analysis techniques. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently while collaborating within a multidisciplinary team. An interest in student supervision, along with strong scientific communication and writing skills, is also expected.

Your Work Environment

-Hybrid catalysis aims to combine the selectivity of enzymatic catalysis with the complementary properties of chemical catalysis. In this project, the objective is to develop two stable and efficient catalysts and make them work together in a microreactor, despite their different operating conditions, while controlling the reactions and mass transfer.

Within the ANR TOOLS4HYBCAT project, a hybrid process is being developed to convert biomass-derived D-glucose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF). The reaction sequence involves the enzymatic isomerization of D-glucose into D-fructose, followed by its acid-catalysed dehydration to produce 5-HMF. The proposed triphasic microreactor separates the enzymatic and chemical reactions into two aqueous phases, separated by an organic phase that enables the selective transport of the reaction intermediate. The enzymatic part of the project is currently being developed as part of a PhD project that started in September 2025. To complement this work and address the chemical catalysis part of the process, a postdoctoral position is now being offered.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

3000

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