Postdoctoral Researcher in Physicochemistry of Bio-Based Materials (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

This 14-month renewable postdoctoral position is part of an innovative project focused on characterizing the modification of bio-based materials using natural enzyme mimics capable of oxidizing biomass, particularly cellulose. In the context of replacing plastic materials and leveraging biomass as a renewable resource, the goal is to develop green chemistry pathways for modifying cellulose—the primary component of biomass.

Activity

The postdoctoral researcher at CERMAV will:
• Characterize the topochemistry of the action of these enzyme mimics on model compounds and under real-world conditions.
• Develop new functional materials from these substrates.
The researcher will have access to CERMAV's state-of-the-art characterization techniques, where the center is a global leader (solid-state and liquid NMR, chromatography, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, etc.).

Methodology:
• Design and synthesize model substrates to measure the activity of enzyme mimics.
• Develop analytical methods to detect and quantify chemical modifications induced by enzyme mimics (NMR, colorimetry, labeling, etc.).
• Identify the topochemistry of modifications on various model substrates.
• Establish structure-property relationships for the modes of action of enzyme mimics (in collaboration with ISM).
Material Development:
• Characterize the physicochemical properties of modified substrates:
o Colloidal stability and self-association properties.
o Mechanical properties for bulk materials.
• Propose post-modifications to control the physicochemical and mechanical properties of modified substrates.
• Collaborate and propose solutions for scaling up the material production process (in collaboration with IFPEN).

Your Profil

Skills

Required Skills and Qualifications
• PhD in Chemistry, Physicochemistry of Polymer Materials, or a related field.
• Strong experience in polymer characterization. Knowledge of bio-based materials is a plus but not mandatory.
• Proficiency in analytical techniques (chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy). Additional training may be provided.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Your Work Environment

Work Environment
The postdoctoral researcher will work at the Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolécules Végétales (CERMAV, UPR 5301), located on the Grenoble University campus. CERMAV is also part of the Grenoble Molecular Chemistry Institute (ICMG, UAR 2607).
The researcher will have access to advanced characterization platforms, including:
• Liquid and solid-state NMR
• Electron microscopy (SEM, TEM)
• Chromatography (HPLC, SEC)
• X-ray diffraction
• UV-Visible and IR spectroscopy
• Light scattering
• Material characterization equipment (DSC, TGA, DVS, tensile testing, etc.)
CERMAV fosters a strong interdisciplinary culture, combining expertise in chemistry, physicochemistry, biochemistry, and materials science. The center is internationally recognized in the field of sugars (oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, bio-based materials), particularly in their characterization, modification, and the development of environmentally friendly green chemistry processes. It conducts extensive research in health, energy, and bio-based material design, supported by a robust academic foundation in these areas.

Contexte scientifique
This project is funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of the INSPIRE project. It involves a consortium led by the Organometallic Chemistry Laboratory at Aix-Marseille University (ISM), which has extensive experience in enzyme mimics as green catalysts for chemical modification reactions, particularly Lytic Polysaccharide MonoOxygenases (LPMOs)—enzymes found in organisms (such as fungi) that modify or degrade cellulose. The consortium also includes:
• The BBF Laboratory at INRAE (Marseille), which specializes in these enzymes (pioneers in the design of these new green catalysts)..
• IFPEN (Lyon), which focuses on scaling up the process, which specializes in process development and industrialization methodologies.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Starting from €3,041 gross per month, depending on experience and the current CNRS salary scale

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

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