Description du sujet de thèse

"Immobilization of soluble methane monooxygenases (sMMOs) on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to synthesize bio-heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of short-chain alkanes."

The PhD student will be hosted mainly at the Unité de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide (UCCS, Lille, France) and will be enrolled in the doctoral school of the University of Lille, under the supervision of Dr. E. HEUSON. Part of the activity will be carried out during periods of secondment, mainly at ProfMOF (Norway) under the supervision of Prof. K. P. LILLERUD to synthesize the MOF used as a carrier for the enzymes, and at the Università Degli Studi Di Torino (Italy) under the supervision of Dr. N. BARBERO, to characterize the resulting biomaterials using advanced spectroscopy techniques.

The project aims to immobilize the different subunits of soluble methane monooxygenases in the same material to create a heterogeneous biocatalyst that can be used in a continuous flow reactor for the oxidation of short-chain alkanes. Beyond the creation of an efficient biocatalyst, this part of the DEMO project will focus on understanding the relationships between the enzyme subunits and their catalytic activity, and especially on the influence of the MOF on the enzymes. This will be supported by the development of advanced spectroscopic techniques to characterize the biomaterial as a function of the type of immobilization (surface or encapsulation). To maximize the number of different types of interaction between the enzymes and the support, several immobilization conditions will be screened using robots from the REALCAT platform in Lille.

Contexte de travail

Research at UCCS focuses on three main themes: energy, the environment and sustainable development. We organize our research along three scientific axes: Catalysis and Molecular Chemistry, Heterogeneous Catalysis and Solid State Chemistry. UCCS research activities are focused in particular on the catalytic valorisation of biomass, fine chemistry, plant chemistry, pollution treatment, new fuels, nuclear fuels and waste, fuel cells, eco-compatible materials, etc. Our scientific strategy is based on three levels: 1. a synthetic approach, at the heart of the chemist's profession, with, for example, the synthesis of molecular and macromolecular compounds, ion-covalent solids, supramolecular, organometallic and nanostructured catalysts, ion-conducting ceramics, self-healing glasses, magnetic ceramics and ferroelectric thin films; 2. the development and use of advanced characterization methods including solid-state NMR, electron crystallography, piezoelectric force near-field microscopy, XPS ToF-SIMS LEIS, and EXAFS-rapid. Most of these methods can be used in in situ or Operando mode, and are complemented by modeling; 3. the implementation of innovative catalytic materials and processes, from laboratory to semi-pilot scale.

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

Eligibility criteria: We accept applications from people of any nationality who meet the following criteria: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the organization recruiting #1 for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately preceding their recruitment. The date of recruitment means the researcher's first day of employment for the purposes of the action (i.e. the start date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract). Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent in chemistry, chemical engineering and materials or related disciplines, with solid experience in catalysis, bioengineering and/or materials. Applicants may be asked to provide documents proving their eligibility for recruitment, i.e. documents proving their place(s) of residence or work over the last three years.