Investigation of atmospheric chemical processes in simulation chambers, and/or development of innovative techniques for detecting key species involved in chemical transformations, to improve our understanding of tropospheric processes M/F

Job Description

Summary of the scientific project

The main goal of this CPJ position is to coordinate atmospheric physical chemistry research using the HELIOS simulation chamber, a national ACTRIS-accredited facility. The candidate will advance experimental studies, instrumentation, and collaborations to investigate key chemical, photochemical, and physicochemical atmospheric processes.
The project will explore atmospheric mechanisms (gas phase, aerosols) and their kinetics under simulated conditions, focusing on short-lived species. It will leverage new analytical tools like high-resolution mass spectrometry from LPC2E, a long-time HELIOS partner, and integrate methods from national/international collaborators.
The candidate will enhance HELIOS's national and international reputation, ensuring its integration into ACTRIS and facilitating access for the scientific community and private sector

Summary of the teaching project

The teaching service will be carried out in the form of additional assignments related to the activities of the HELIOS platform (such as practical instruction for university and high school students, outreach to the general public, etc.). These additional assignments will be subject to approval by the Director of the OSUC, a component of the University of Orléans, with which agreements will be signed to recognize this service locally within the activity framework for faculty members.

Potential host facilities

• INSU - CNRS Terre & Univers
• ICARE - Institut de Combustion, Aérothermique, Réactivité et Environnement

Your Profil

Profile Required

Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Your Work Environment

Host Lab Strategy

The host laboratory was selected based on the significant contribution made by the Atmospheric Reactivity team, affiliated with the OSU Centre (OSUC), to the activities of the HELIOS atmospheric simulation chamber platform, which is integrated into ICARE. ICARE is a center of excellence affiliated with two institutes: CNRS-Engineering and CNRS-Earth & Universe.
Given the substantial effort required to explore new atmospheric processes, as well as the visibility and recognition this brings from funding agencies, the human resources support provided by this chair is necessarily a top priority for the laboratory. The candidate must have demonstrated the ability to develop programs for exploring atmospheric physico-chemical mechanisms under controlled conditions within the framework of projects, both at the national and international levels. The candidate will develop innovative methods for data acquisition and analysis applied to tropospheric processes

Institution Strategy

CNRS prioritizes recruiting researchers to lead long-term observation and exploration of universal and Earth processes, crucial amid global change and anthropogenic pressures. Understanding the physical, chemical, and biogeochemical mechanisms driving climate evolution depends on research data, especially from atmospheric transformations in natural and human-influenced environments—essential for science-based policy decisions.
CNRS manages national and international research infrastructures (IR/IR*), supported by National Observation Services (SNO) and National Instruments (IN). The CPJ positions enable recruiting leaders to develop these systems in collaboration with universities via OSUs.
The SEQUOIA CPJ focuses on supporting ACTRIS, an infrastructure uniting five SNOs and two platforms, including HELIOS, a unique atmospheric simulation facility. HELIOS delivers cutting-edge research, emphasizing community access, innovation, and scientific excellence.
Atmospheric oxidation reactions—driven by oxidants like ozone, ·OH, NO₃·, and Criegee intermediates—transform primary emissions into secondary pollutants. Methods for measuring these oxidizing species and their reaction products are essential for understanding the effects of pollutants on air quality and climate. HELIOS advances understanding of these processes using high-resolution mass spectrometry, optical cavities, and chromatography to detect and quantify reactive species.
By fostering instrumental innovation, HELIOS enables diverse research communities to explore atmospheric chemistry under realistic conditions. CNRS-Engineering and CNRS-Earth & Universe commit to sustaining French leadership in atmospheric science, enhancing data acquisition to study key tropospheric processes amid anthropogenic and climate challenges.

International Strategy

In the field of atmospheric observation, CNRS participates in and leads a large number of international organizations and programs. In addition, the research infrastructure mentioned has strong international roots (ACTRIS-ERIC, and previously, the European network of simulation chambers, EUROCHAMP…).
The CPJ SEQUOIA opportunity will be widely publicized in these networks.
In return, the candidate's project can also propose actions within the framework of major international programs.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Annual salary from 54 600 Euros to 57 800 Euros depending on professionnal experience.

Total funding

200k€

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€

Research Policy

Open Science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

Science and society

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

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