Researcher in electrochemistry, materials chemistry, analytical chemistry and molten salt chemistry(M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will work in the Energy and Environment department of IJCLab, as part of a research team comprising four researchers: Céline Cannes, Davide Rodrigues, Charly Carrière and Sylvie Delpech, as part of the European Enharmony project (Enterprise for the Normalisation and HARmonisation of Molten salt cOrrosion tests for Nuclear energY) coordinated by Stellaria. This project aims to address a major challenge in the deployment of molten salt reactors: the lack of standardised protocols for corrosion studies of structural materials. The main objective is to develop and validate protocols common to the various laboratories for corrosion studies in molten salts, with a view to the accelerated qualification of materials intended for nuclear applications based on molten salts. The experimental studies will be carried out in NaCl-KCl-MgCl₂ and LiF-NaF-KF molten salts. These protocols will then be submitted to international standardisation groups.
This project is divided into 5 work packages:
WP1: Project-wide data standardization, salt and structural materials procurement
WP2: Development of characterization protocols and corrosion test infrastructure
WP3: Salt characterization and round-robin corrosion testing
WP4: Post-test analysis and data validation
WP5: Development of corrosion testing guidelines and standardization efforts

Activity

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute in particular to the following studies:
• Testing the experimental setup to monitor the stability of the salts throughout the corrosion studies.
• Characterising the material's surface before and after immersion in molten salt using XRD and SEM/EDX to identify corrosion products and estimate the thickness of the corroded material.
• Measuring the corrosion rate in both salts using gravimetry. Analysing the corrosion products formed in solution using electrochemical methods and ICP/AES.
• Studying the redox behaviour of the materials in both salts using electrochemical or potentiometric methods, with a standard three-electrode setup, where the material under investigation acts as the working electrode.
• Regular participation in progress meetings with the IJCLab and Stellaria teams. Oral presentation of the results obtained at meetings organised for the entire project consortium.
• Publication of the results in scientific journals and presentation of these results at national and international conferences.

Your Profil

Skills

The candidate must hold a PhD in electrochemistry, materials chemistry or analytical chemistry. The post requires knowledge of molten salt chemistry, electrochemistry, thermodynamic calculations and materials chemistry (surface characterisation techniques), as well as solid training as an experimental chemist.
The candidate will also need good oral and written communication skills (in French AND English) to present his/her results at meetings and international congresses, and to write reports and articles in scientific journals. We are looking for a serious young researcher who can quickly become autonomous and get involved in the project, with a strong motivation to develop skills in the field of molten salt chemistry. In addition, the candidate should be able to work as part of a team using the various techniques available to complete the project.

Your Work Environment

IJCLab is a physics laboratory under the supervision of the CNRS, the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris, created in 2020 from the merger of five UMRs located on the university campus of Orsay. The research themes of the laboratory are nuclear physics, high energy physics, astroparticles and cosmology, theoretical physics, particle accelerators and detectors as well as technical research and development and associated applications for energy, health and the environment. The structure has very significant technical capacities (approximately 280 engineers and technicians) in all the major fields required to design, develop and implement the experimental devices necessary for its scientific activity: mechanics, electronics, IT, instrumentation, acceleration, biology techniques, radiochemistry and physics and chemistry for nuclear energy. These technical strengths represent a major asset for the design, development and use of the necessary instruments (accelerators and detectors). The presence of research infrastructures and technological platforms gathered on the laboratory site is also a major asset.
This project will be carried out as part of a collaboration between IJCLab and Stellaria for the European Enharmony project. The IJCLab laboratory has suitable experimental facilities which have enabled the development of numerous projects in the fields of molten salt chemistry. Examples include studies into the chemistry and reprocessing of molten salts (fluorides and chlorides) in the context of fast-spectrum molten salt reactors, the pyrochemical treatment of solid fuel, the chemistry of molten nitrate heat transfer salts for sodium-cooled fast reactors or concentrated solar power plants, the nitriding of low-carbon steels in molten carbonate media, and the dissolution of powdered metallic waste in molten hydroxides. This extensive experience in the chemistry of molten salts has been gained through numerous collaborative studies with the CEA, Andra and Orano, and through several European projects and France 2030 projects.

Constraints and risks

Laboratory research on material corrosion, studies using electrochemistry, material characterization, knowledge of various analytical chemistry techniques, understanding of molten salts chemistry.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between 3131,32€ and 3569,85 € depending on experience

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