Description of the thesis topic

The Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes and Géosciences Rennes are recruiting a PhD candidate to work on the CNRS 80|Prime project BauxCLEAN. This interdisciplinary project concerns the development of an environmentally-friendly and low-cost protocol for the separation of iron from aluminium from Bauxite waste materials. The exploitation of bauxite to extract aluminium produces large volumes of iron-rich 'red mud' waste. Red muds and related bauxite wastes are environmental pollutants which are considered economically unviable to exploit, despite possessing considerable aluminium content, due to the high cost of separating the iron through conventional processes.
In BauxCLEAN we are developing a biological protocol for the separation of extraction of iron from bauxites using the activity of electroactive bacteria. These bacteria showcase a unique capacity to transfer electrons from their metabolic processes outside of their cells. This behaviour can be exploited to produce bioelectricity and to transform environmental wastes into valuable nanomaterials, all operating under ambient conditions of temperature, pressure and pH.
The Project:
The PhD Candidate will work during their 3-year doctoral contract on all aspects of the project including the collection and characterisation of mineralogical samples, bacterial culturing, development of a microbiological treatment protocol for iron extraction and the characterisation of the resulting nanomaterials in depollution studies. The project therefore combines aspects of microbiology, geochemistry, analytical chemistry and nanoscience. The PhD candidate will be trained in all of these disciplines to develop a strong interdisciplinary profile in both basic and applied research and will be expected to develop their own research project, design and carry out experiments, analyse data and interpret the results, and disseminate their findings through high quality scientific papers and presentations at relevant conferences.
References:
: (1) Martinez, M. Cartographie et Estimation de La Quantité de Bauxite Présente Dans Les Carrières Du Bassin de Bédarieux (Hérault).; Internal Report SATMA; p 112.
(2) Kar, M. K.; Ӧnal, M. A. R.; Borra, C. R. Alumina Recovery from Bauxite Residue: A Concise Review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2023, 198, 107158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107158.
(3) Angelopoulos, P. M.; Oustadakis, P.; Anastassakis, G.; Pissas, M.; Taxiarchou, M. Iron Recovery from Bauxite Residue (BR) through Magnetic Separation; Effect of Endogenous Properties and Processing Conditions. Minerals Engineering 2024, 217, 108954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2024.108954.
(4) Papassiopi, N.; Vaxevanidou, K.; Paspaliaris, I. Effectiveness of Iron Reducing Bacteria for the Removal of Iron from Bauxite Ores. Minerals Engineering 2010, 23 (1), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2009.09.005.
(5) Philippon, T.; Ait-Itto, F.-Z.; Monfort, A.; Barrière, F.; Behan, J. A. Fe(III) Oxide Microparticles Modulate Extracellular Electron Transfer in Anodic Biofilms Dominated by Bacteria of the Pelobacter Genus. Bioelectrochemistry 2023, 151, 108394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108394.

Work Context

The CNRS is the largest research organisation in France. Its multidisciplinary mission is to mobilise all sciences to confront the challenges faced by the world today. The doctoral school S3M (Science of matter, molecules, and materials) is co-accredited by the University of Rennes, the University of West Brittany, the Rennes National Superior School of Chemistry and the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Rennes. Its research activities include physics, chemistry, photonics, mechanics and the science of materials generally including themes of engineering, telecommunications and the interface between chemistry and life sciences. The specialities of S3M include analytical, inorganic and physical chemistry as well as environmental and process chemistry.

The thesis will be carried out at the Rennes Institute of Chemical Sciences (ISCR) as well as Géosciences Rennes. The candidate will be integrated in the MaCSE team (Condensed Matter and Electroactive Systems) at the ISCR, supervised by James Behan (CNRS Researcher) and Frédéric Barrière (Associate Professor HDR) who are experts in bioelectrochemistry and the microbiology of electroactive bacteria. The project is co-coordinated by Mathieu Martinez of the Paleoenvironment Team and Mathieu Pedrot and Anne-Catherine Pierson-Wickmann of the Nanoscale Team at Geosciences Rennes. The partners have strong ties which have been consolidated by previous projects and publications. Between the two research institutes there is all of the research infrastructure, equipment and materials necessary for this interdisciplinary project at the interface of chemistry, biology and nanoscience.

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

The thesis will be carried out through the S3M doctoral school No. 638 (Science of matter, molecules and materials).

Throughout the project, the candidate will be expected to participate in missions of approximately 1 week duration each to collect samples, notably in the south of France.

All biological experiments will be realised in an L1 laboratory equipped with all of the necessary materials and procedures for biological safety.

Additional Information

The expected competences of the successful candidate:
• A profile in Chemistry, Microbiology or Geosciences with 5 years' higher education up to Master II level or equivalent. Interdisciplinary experience across these fields will be viewed as a significant bonus.
• Practical laboratory experience is essential.
• Experience in the areas of handling air-sensitive compounds, working with gloveboxes, and/or aseptic culturing techniques is desirable.
• Good communication skills for written and oral presentation of scientific results.
• Strong numerical skills for designing experiments, processing data and interpreting results.
• Good English (at least B2 level) is required.
Candidatures must include a detailed CV, at least 2 references (who may be contacted), a one page letter of motivation and transcripts of Master 1/2, Engineering School or equivalent.
The deadline for submission of candidatures is the 01/06/2025