Description of the thesis topic

The research project will be carried out within the Engineering team (ING) of the Lyon Catalysis and Environment Research Institute (IRCELYON, France), as part of the PowerCO2 project, in collaboration with the Laboratoire Chimie et Biologie des Métaux (LCBM, team SolHyCat, Grenoble, France). Porous hybrid materials, particularly porous organic polymers, will be developed to create new sophisticated multifunctional hybrid solids for efficient and sustainable photoconversion of carbon dioxide into small molecules.
The candidate will work on the synthesis and postsynthetic functionalization of porous organic polymers to design new heterogeneous catalytic systems for CO2 activation under illumination. Ultimately, the most efficient photocatalytic structures will be integrated into more complex photoelectrochemical architectures for the efficient valorization of CO2 in aqueous and/or ionic liquid media.
From university or engineering school, the candidate must hold a Master 2 in chemistry (final grades and ranking may be requested).
The position requires very solid theoretical knowledge in organic chemistry, molecular catalysis and materials science (syntheses and characterizations). Knowledge in photochemistry and/or photophysics will be an asset. The candidate must have practical experience of working techniques in a controlled atmosphere (Schlenk and glove box).

Work Context

The IRCELYON laboratory includes 5 research teams working in the fields of clean and renewable energies, air and water depollution, fossil fuels, surface sciences, reactors and chemical engineering, and materials for catalysis. In addition, IRCELYON has its own internal scientific platform to carry out chemical and textural characterizations of catalysts. https://www.ircelyon.univ-lyon1.fr/
Based on preliminary studies on heterogeneous catalysts for the reduction of CO2 to formate [ACS Catal. 2018, 8, 1653–1661], the candidate will synthesize new totally heterogeneous systems presenting photoactive dyads grafted onto hybrid solids. The catalysts will be evaluated for the reduction of CO2 to C1 molecules (MeOH, formate, CO).
In addition to the development of new catalysts, the successful candidate will study the influence of different host structures on catalytic activity using various spectroscopic techniques. The candidate must master bibliographic research tools. Given its fundamental and innovative aspect, this project requires strong motivation to pursue cutting-edge research activity.
A high level of communication skills (oral and written) is expected, as well as a high level of oral and written English language skills.
The candidate will join a team of 3 doctoral students and 2 postdoctoral researchers working on different projects dedicated to porous hybrid materials for catalysis.
The candidate will work in collaboration with researchers from partner universities in France within the PowerCO2 project into the PEPR SPLEEN. This research project will be carried out under the direction of Dr Jérôme Canivet and Dr E. Alessandra Quadrelli at IRCELYON.
Valorization of the research outcomes is expected at national and international conferences with oral communications and through the publication of peer-reviewed scientific articles.
The position is located in a sector falling under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

Visits to partner laboratories in France are planned as well as consortium meetings. The successful candidate must be enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Lyon 1, doctoral school of chemistry. All administrative aspects can be found here: https://www.edchemin-lyon.fr/