Description of the thesis topic

As part of a European project conducted in collaboration with Ghent University (Belgium) and several other European universities and industrial partners, this PhD work will focus on the synthesis of new catalysts, the study of reaction mechanisms, active sites, and the kinetics of ethanol condensation reactions for jet fuel production. Advanced techniques such as operando and in situ analysis, isotopic labeling, and kinetic experiments under both transient and steady-state conditions will be employed.

Work Context

The Catalysis and Solid-State Chemistry Unit (UCCS, UMR 8181 CNRS) comprises 105 researchers and faculty members, 32 technical and administrative staff, around 80 PhD students, and 20 postdoctoral researchers. The unit operates across multiple sites in the Lille and Lens regions.
The researcher will be based at the Villeneuve d'Ascq site, working at the University of Lille and École Centrale de Lille. UCCS's scientific activities are focused on three main areas: Heterogeneous catalysis, Catalysis and molecular chemistry, Solid-state chemistry.
Within the "Heterogeneous Catalysis" research group, the PhD student will work under the supervision of Dr. Vitaly Ordomsky. Catalyst preparation will take place at the Hall Pilote Catalyse laboratories or at École Centrale de Lille. The FTIR spectroscopy experiments and transient kinetic studies using isotopic tracers will be conducted in Building C3 (next to the Hall Pilote). The research work will be organized in campaigns, alternating between the two buildings.
As part of the European project, the candidate will participate in progress meetings held either in Lille or at partner laboratories in Belgium, where the PhD student will present research findings. Additionally, the student may be required to attend national or international conferences to present results.
This position falls within a sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), meaning that, in accordance with regulations, your appointment must be authorized by the competent authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).

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 researcher will work with pressurized reactors. Other potential risks include exposure to chemicals, gases, stable isotopes, and X-rays in the work environment (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction).
This position falls within a sector subject to the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST) and, therefore, in accordance with regulations, your appointment must be authorized by the competent authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).