PhD Candidate (M/F) in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion and Materials Chemistry

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Agro-wastes are lignocellulosic materials—i.e., primarily composed of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose—generated at the end of value chains. They are often underutilized (e.g., as heating fuel), despite their potential to be upgraded into high value-added compounds. Converting non-food biomass into valuable chemicals expands the renewable chemical space and aligns with the principles of the circular economy and biorefinery concepts [Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 4724].

In particular, the use of ionic liquids (salts that are liquid at room temperature) for the dissolution and/or fractionation of lignocellulosic materials into high-value synthons represents an attractive approach. The use of tailor-made ionic liquids for biomass processing and valorization has recently been demonstrated at pilot scale in Sweden [LIXEA] and Finland [IONCELL].

Within our research group, we investigate thermochemical treatments in ionic liquid media enabling the conversion of lignocellulosic agro-wastes into highly porous carbons, termed ionochars [Green Chem. 2020, 22, 5423; Green Chem. 2023, 25, 3533; J. Phys. Chem. B 2024, 128, 3485]. To this end, we design bespoke ionic liquids to render this ionothermal carbonization process more sustainable, less energy-intensive, and economically viable.

As part of the ANR-funded CARIOCA project, involving four research units in France, we aim to explore the potential of ionothermal carbonization by identifying high value-added soluble molecular co-products and by valorizing ionochars for the adsorption of PFAS, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” The carbonization process and the resulting ionochars will be investigated using advanced calorimetric techniques. A life cycle assessment (LCA) will be conducted to evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of our approach.

The PhD candidate will be responsible for:

+Preparing and characterizing ionic liquids (ILs) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC);
+Conducting thermochemical treatments of lignocellulosic agro-wastes in liquid media (ILs and NaDES) and implementing design of experiments (DoE);
+Characterizing soluble molecular co-products using FTIR, NMR, and chromatography;
+Characterizing ionochars using FTIR, NMR, microscopy, gas sorption volumetry, XPS, and calorimetry;
+Investigating interactions between ionochars and PFAS by calorimetry;
+Actively contributing to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of the process;
+Processing and analyzing data (Excel, Origin, ChemDraw, and dedicated instrument software);
+Presenting results to the supervisory team during weekly meetings;
+Participating in national and international conferences;
+Writing quarterly reports.

Your Work Environment

This project is part of the ANR PRC CARIOCA program [ANR-25-CE43-3756], which involves four research units across France. The work will be carried out at the ICGM within the Balard building (CNRS campus) in Montpellier. The PhD candidate will be integrated into a dynamic and interdisciplinary team of 5 to 10 members working in the fields of adsorption, analytical chemistry, biomass valorization, and materials science within the Porous & Hybrid Materials department.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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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