PhD Position in Electrocatalysis: Development of Highly Nanostructured Metallic Aerogels for Alkaline Water Electrolysis (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Metal aerogels have emerged as a particularly attractive class of materials. Their hierarchical three-dimensional architecture, consisting of a continuous network of interconnected nano-objects, theoretically offers an ideal combination of high specific surface area, open porosity promoting efficient reactant and product transport, good electronic conductivity, and the possibility to finely tune the chemical composition.

However, a comprehensive review of the literature over the past two decades reveals that most non-precious-metal materials described as “aerogels” and reported for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media are, in reality, micrometer-sized structures composed of aggregated microparticles.

The main objective of this PhD project is therefore to develop a new generation of genuinely nanostructured, non-precious-metal aerogels for alkaline OER catalysis, combining simultaneously: high intrinsic activity (OER kinetics), large electrochemically accessible surface area, open porosity facilitating mass transport, and high stability at elevated current densities in anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWE), including under dynamic operating conditions.

The project includes:

-The synthesis of metallic aerogels through mechanochemical approaches.
-Their structural and chemical characterization using advanced physicochemical techniques.
-The evaluation of their electrochemical performance in both three-electrode cells and single-cell AEMWE devices on the laboratory hydrogen platform.
-The investigation of structure–activity relationships through operando X-ray characterization methods at synchrotron facilities (ESRF and SOLEIL).

Your Work Environment

The PhD project will be carried out at the Charles Gerhardt Institute of Montpellier (ICGM) and is part of Hydrogenlab, a joint laboratory between CNRS and Michelin (this is not a CIFRE industrial PhD project).

ICGM is a joint research unit supported by CNRS, the University of Montpellier, and the National Graduate School of Chemistry of Montpellier (ENSCM). It is part of the Carnot Institute network (Chimie Balard Cirimat) accredited by the French Ministry of Research. Within the Department of Materials Chemistry, Nanostructures and Materials for Energy, the thematic group "Electrochemistry for Energy" is internationally recognized for its research on fuel cells and electrolyzers, spanning the development of proton-conducting membranes, innovative electrocatalysts, electrode architectures, and the characterization of functional materials in fuel cells and electrolyzers using both conventional and advanced in situ and operando techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS).

The fuel cell and electrolyzer research team brings together researchers, faculty members, engineers, and technicians with extensive expertise and facilities for materials synthesis, structural characterization, membrane–electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication, and electrochemical testing. The laboratory also hosts a dedicated hydrogen platform equipped with several fuel cell and electrolyzer test benches operating in single-cell configurations with typical active geometric areas ranging from 5 to 50 cm². The main permanent staff involved in the project will be Raphaël Chattot and Frédéric Jaouen (CNRS researchers), together with Marc Dupont, Frédéric Lecoeur, and Nicolas Donzel (research engineers from the University of Montpellier and CNRS).

Michelin is a global leader and historic tire manufacturer headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, in the Auvergne–Rhône-Alpes region of France. The Group operates in 63 countries and employs approximately 122,000 people worldwide, including around 6,000 employees dedicated to research and development. With a portfolio of more than 11,800 active patents worldwide, nine joint research laboratories, and over €44 million invested in research partnerships across the globe, innovation is a cornerstone of Michelin's long-term strategy.

Through its historical tire business, Michelin supports all forms of mobility and leverages more than 130 years of expertise and know-how to address a wide variety of operating conditions while contributing to the development of sustainable mobility.

Michelin believes that companies have a societal responsibility to provide tangible solutions to the major challenges of our time, particularly environmental and climate-related issues. Technological progress is considered a key driver of differentiation and competitiveness, enabling breakthrough advances in circular economy practices, carbon-emission reduction, resource preservation, and biodiversity protection. These innovations translate into products and technologies that create value for customers and markets through Michelin's unique ability to transform scientific innovation into large-scale industrial solutions.

Within this context, Michelin has been actively involved in hydrogen technologies for more than twenty years, notably through extensive research and development activities on fuel cells. To further contribute to industrial decarbonization, Michelin is now strengthening its commitment through the development of advanced materials for the production of low-carbon hydrogen via water electrolysis.

Constraints and risks

Excellent English communication and scientific writing skills are mandatory. Prior experience in electrochemistry and/or electrocatalysis is required. Knowledge of programming languages and scientific computing tools, particularly MATLAB and Python, is highly desirable.

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

The research professions