Missions

The laboratory is offering a 12-month postdoctoral position open to any candidate whose research topics align with PROMES activities related to concentrated solar energy using the Odeillo facilities. The topic will be defined with the candidate based on their skills. A high value of the scientific profile is expected.
The goal is to provide the candidate with optimal conditions for a project based on PROMES unique solar facilities that could lead to an application to CNRS external competitions for researchers.

Activités

-Potential topics (non-exhaustive list) are suggested for each research theme, but any proposal related to the laboratory's scientific activities using the concentrated solar facilities will be considered with interest.
In the Solar Chemistry and Storage theme, relevant research areas could include:
• Photochemistry (e.g., use of concentrated solar energy for CO₂ and water photoconversion)
• Thermal storage (sensible, latent, thermochemical, or photochemical)
• Solar-assisted plasma chemistry
• Electrolysis assisted by solar heat
• High-temperature solar chemistry
The Next Generation Solar Power Plants theme seeks a junior scientist interested in performing experiments under concentrated solar flux to design and optimize high-efficiency components of concentrated solar processes. Relevant research skills could include:
• Radiative heat transfers
• Thermomechanics
• Fluid Mechanics
• Artificial intelligence
Foreseen applications could concern electricity production and industrial decarbonization.
The Materials for Energy and Space theme seeks a junior scientist interested in performing state-of-the-art experiments in materials subjected to extreme conditions, namely high temperature, and/or dissociated atmospheres (plasmas). Relevant research areas could include:
• Oxidation resistance
• Interaction of a plasma and a high-temperature material
• Recycling of materials
• Material synthesis with concentrated solar energy
Foreseen applications could concern spacecraft heat shields, thermal receivers for concentrated solar thermal systems, recircularity of materials on Earth or in space. The applicant could also be interested in emissivity measurements at high temperatures.

Compétences

• PhD in physics, chemistry, energy engineering, material science, or related fields.
• Strong background in solar energy, thermal processes, chemical engineering, high-temperature materials, or a closely related area.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Good communication and scientific writing skills in English (French is a plus but not required).
• A previous international experience in a laboratory would be appreciated.
• A clear interest in applying for future CNRS researcher positions.

N.B. Applications from candidates of all genders are welcomed, as part of CNRS commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Contexte de travail

PROMES is internationally recognized for its unique expertise and infrastructure in the field of concentrated solar energy and its applications in energy conversion, storage, and materials processing.
The laboratory is organized around three main research themes (https://www.promes.cnrs.fr):
1. The SCS theme (Solar Chemistry and Storage) focuses on the direct use of the energy contained in photons (e.g., solar photoactivation of a catalyst to improve the sanitary quality of effluents) or through intermediate conversion — typically into heat (e.g., hydrogen production through high temperature thermochemical cycles). Storage and conversion methods are also studied (e.g., hybrid thermodynamic cycles).
2. The CSPG theme (Next Generation Solar Power Plants) conducts experiments under concentrated solar flux to optimize and control the various components of solar processes. Applications include electricity production and industrial decarbonization (SHIP: Solar Heat for Industrial Processes). The theme is focused on the design and optimization of high-efficiency components of concentrated solar processes. This requires in particular the enhancement of heat transfer, the characterization of material evolution under solar stress, and the physics of scale changes in flows within receivers.
3. The MEE theme (Materials for Energy and Space) studies therotically and experimentally the optical, thermoradiative, electronic, and mechanical properties of materials, from bulk to nano-objects, including cutting-edge characterizations where materials are subjected to extreme conditions, thanks to the unique facilities of the world's largest solar furnace in Odeillo.

Keywords: Solar Energy, Thermal Storage, Solar Chemistry, High-Temperature Processes, Solar Reactors, Radiation Modeling, High Temperature, Thermophysical Properties, Emissivity, Oxidation Resistance, Dissociated Atmospheres

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

The position is located on our site in Font-Romeu-Odeillo, at an altitude of 1600 m in the Pyrenees.