Description du sujet de thèse

Extraction and electrochemical depolymerisation of lignin for generation of high added value extracts in a sustainable biorefinery strategy
The subject of this thesis is part of a project to valorize lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) using a biorefinery approach. Fractionation of LCB with deep eutectic solvents (DES) leads to the production of fractions rich in cellulose and lignin.
The selected candidate will work on the lignin extraction with DES and its electrochemical depolymerisation to recover high added value extracts. The sources and nature of lignin as well as the experimental conditions used during both extraction and electrochemical depolymerisation play an important role on the structure of lignin and products obtained. These parameters will be optimized and the depolymerisation products will be characterized by several techniques such as GC-MS, SEC, cyclic voltammetry or UV-Vis spectroscopy to determine their structure and antioxidant activity. Recovery of the desired depolymerized products is crucial and various techniques will be tested for this purpose, such as classical liquid-liquid extraction carried out after the electrolysis step or in situ extraction via emulsion techniques that were shown to limit overoxidation of the desired products.
The candidate will develop skills in extraction processes, electrochemistry and analytical chemistry.

Contexte de travail

The candidate (M/F) will be based at the Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien in Strasbourg (Department of Analytical Sciences).

The Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert CURIEN (IPHC), a research unit under the joint supervision of the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg (UMR7178), is a multidisciplinary laboratory where research teams from different scientific backgrounds develop programs based on scientific instrumentation. The IPHC has a total staff of 393 (M/F), including 102 M/F PhD students.
The candidate (M/F) will join the IPHC's Reconnaissance et Procédés de Séparation Moléculaire (RePSeM) team, comprising 11 teacher-researchers, 11 PhD students, 1 post-doctoral student and 1 Research Engineer attached to the project.
The PhD student (M/F) will be attached to the Doctoral School of Chemical Sciences of the University of Strasbourg (ED222).
The candidate (M/F) will be responsible for carrying out the proposed research project, collaborating with other researchers in the team and participating in the life of the laboratory.
He or she will benefit from access to a university restaurant, partial reimbursement of travel expenses, a works council, and the possibility of taking training courses to adapt to the mission.
Strasbourg is one of Europe's most attractive cities (see the New York Times video: 36 Hours in Strasbourg) and boasts an internationally renowned University (47th in Chemistry, Shanghai ranking) offering an excellent learning environment.
Exigences :
 Academic background: chemistry with specialization in electrochemistry, chemical engineering, green and sustainable chemistry, biorefinery or a related field.
 Skills: strong laboratory and analytical skills; Knowledge of analytical techniques such as GC-MS, SEC, cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis spectroscopy will be an asset.
 Attributes: self-motivated, able to work both independently and as part of a team.
 Motivations: the candidate should be enthusiastic and outgoing when searching for solutions to challenges that will arise during the experimental work.

Applications should include a CV, a cover letter, Master transcripts and the contact of at least one academic referent and, a letter of recommendation.

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.