Description du sujet de thèse

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a major environmental and health concern due to their persistence in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals,” and their potential adverse effects on human health. These compounds, used in countless industrial and consumer products, are suspected of causing health problems such as cancer, hormonal disorders, and immune dysfunction. In response to these major concerns, the European Union (EU) is currently organizing a phase-out of PFAS with relatively short deadlines. This announced ban requires significant efforts to discover safe and sustainable alternatives, as PFAS are used in highly strategic areas such as health (medicines and equipment), agriculture, energy, and transportation. To support the transition to viable substitutes, our public/private consortium (Public: Laboratoire d'Innovation Moléculaire & Applications LIMA UMR 7042 Université de Strasbourg, Institut de Science des Matériaux de Mulhouse IS2M UMR 7361 Université de Haute-Alsace & Institut Charles Sadron ICS UPR 22 Université de Strasbourg ; Private: Centre Technique des Industries Mécaniques - CETIM & APS Coating) will leverage its expertise in fluorine chemistry, polymerization, and polymer characterization to offer a new generation of non-PFAS fluorinated polymers. LIMA will develop original monomers whose polymerization using various processes will be studied at IS2M (thermal, photochemical or plasma-induced). This study will generate innovative PFAS-free fluorinated side-chain polymers, whose viability as alternatives to PFAS will be evaluated on four properties by ICS, CETIM and APS coating: surface energy, thermal stability, chemical resistance and mechanical behavior (coefficient of friction and wear resistance).

Contexte de travail

The position is part of a Carnot MICA project (https://www.carnot-mica.fr), involving a public/private consortium comprising three CNRS laboratories (LIMA UMR 7042 University of Strasbourg, IS2M UMR 7361 University of Haute-Alsace & ICS UPR 22 University of Strasbourg) and two private partners (CETIM & APS Coating).

The PhD student (M/F), attached to ED 222 at the University of Strasbourg, will mainly conduct their research at LIMA in Strasbourg (organic synthesis - Morgan Donnard and Frédéric Leroux) and IS2M in Mulhouse (polymerization - Florence Bally Le Gall, Vincent Roucoules and Abraham Chemtob). Project progress meetings will be held with all partners. Once the work has reached certain milestones, a scientific visit of several weeks to the laboratories of one of the industrial partners will be organized.

Working environment: Direct access by public transportation, on-site university dining at preferential rates.

Le poste se situe dans un secteur relevant de la protection du potentiel scientifique et technique (PPST), et nécessite donc, conformément à la réglementation, que votre arrivée soit autorisée par l'autorité compétente du MESR.

Contraintes et risques

The position involves exposure to chemical hazards, which will be managed
in accordance with the national regulatory framework in force and the internal regulations of the laboratories involved.

Specific constraints: the PhD student (M/F) will be required to work periodically at two sites located one hour apart by train and easily accessible by public transport.
No shift work or weekend work will be required.