PhD Thesis Offer in Electrochemistry: Hybrid Bio-Nano Architectures for Electrocatalysis (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes at the Université de Rennes is recruiting a PhD candidate in Electrochemistry to work on the ANR project HYBNA – Hybrid Biofilm-Nanostructure Architectures. This interdisciplinary project in electrochemistry involves the development of novel living/inorganic interfaces for energy conversion and electrocatalysis, targeting important reactions relevant to fuel cell systems such as alcohol oxidation and oxygen reduction.

HYBNA seeks to develop new, sustainable electrocatalytic interfaces targeting the Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Ethanol Oxidation Reaction for application in fuel cell systems. To achieve this we will develop Hybrid bioanodes incorporating nanoparticle catalysts with electroactive bacteria to improve fuel utilisation and improve long-term stability. The project involves nanocatalyst preparation and characterisation, fundamental electrochemical and interfacial studies and aspects of bioelectrochemistry and microbiology as a minor focus of the project.

The Project:

The PhD candidate will work over a 3-year doctoral contract on all project aspects, including catalyst preparation, fundamental electrochemistry, working with electroactive bacteria, interface modification. A significant focus of the project will be on Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance studies, to follow interface development and correlate interfacial properties to electrocatalytic performance. The PhD candidate will be trained in all aspects of the project and will finish their doctorate with a strong interdisciplinary profile across the electrochemical, biological and nanoscience domains. The candidate will be expected to develop their own research project compatible with the project vision, design and execute experiments, analyse and interpret data, and produce high-quality scientific articles of which they are the first author, to disseminate their results.

Your Work Environment

The Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR 6226 is the largest chemistry research unit in France. The recruited student will be integrated into the MaCSE team - Condensed Matter and Electroactive Systems - which is made up of researchers in electrochemistry, surface chemistry, organic molecules for electronics and energy storage, and bioelectrochemistry.
• The project is coordinated by Dr James Behan, CNRS researcher at the ISCR.
• The thesis will be supervised by Dr James Behan, directed bv Dr Frédéric Barrière (MCF HDR)
• All of the necessary equipment, facilities and materials are already in place in the team, allowing for a significant head start on the project from Day 1.

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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