Job brief

Nature has developed composite materials (e.g. plant cell walls and Arthropod exoskeleton) with complex and hierarchical organization from the nano- to the macro-scale via molecular assembly. Such materials often possess remarkable optical and/or mechanical properties by simply assembling hard and soft elements. The outstanding properties of these materials have prompted the fabrication of bio-inspired composites.
Among all methods available for the preparation of multifunctional nanostructured composite materials, Layer- by-Layer (LbL) assembly [1], is currently one of the most simple and versatile nanofabrication method [2]. Recently, we have assembled isotropic and anisotropic transparent wood-inspired nano-composite materials with mechanical properties challenging even medium quality steel (Figure 1, middle) [2],[3]. The combination of LbL assembly with grazing incidence spraying (GIS) [4-5] extends our approach toward the preparation of complex (e.g. helical) multilayer films [6] in which the composition and orientation of anisometric nano-objects like nanocelluloses can be controlled independently in each layer (Figure 1, left). These helical stacks exhibit pronounced chiroptical responses (selective interaction with circularly polarized light) probed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy (Figure 1, right) and Mueller-matrix spectroscopic ellipsometry (MMSE).
The goal of this internship is to study the preparation of nanocellulose-based composite materials using different deposition methods (dipping, spray-assisted, GIS, ...) and various surface analysis techniques (ellipsometry, AFM, …) and their optical and mechanical properties. The performance of these materials will be determined by advanced optical (UV- vis spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, and MMSE) and mechanical (nanoindentation and tensile tests) characterization tools as a function of their composition and structure, the orientation of reinforcing agents, and the experimental conditions. This work will involve the PECMAT and MIM teams at Institut Charles Sadron (Strasbourg, France) and collaborations with the CERMAV (Grenoble, France) and the LCP-A2MC (Metz, France).


Objectives
1. Fabricate and characterize nanocellulose-based composite materials with various interna structures
2. Correlate material properties (mechanical and optical) with composition and structure

References:

[1] G. Decher Science 1997, 277, 1232.
[2] R. Merindol, S. Diabang, O. Felix, T. Roland, C. Gauthier, G. Decher ACS Nano 2015, 9, 1127.
[3] R. Merindol, S. Diabang, R. Mujica, V. Le Houerou, T. Roland, C. Gauthier, G. Decher, O. Felix ACS Nano 2020, 14, 16525.
[4] R. Blell, X. Lin, T. Lindström, M. Ankerfors, M. Pauly, O. Felix, G. Decher, ACS Nano 2017, 11, 84.
[5] R. Mujica, A. Augustine, M. Pauly, V. Le Houerou, G. Decher, Y. Battie, O. Felix. Compos. Sci. Technol. 2023, 233, 109889.
[6] R. Mujica, A. Augustine, M. Pauly, Y. Battie, G. Decher, V. Le Houerou, O. Felix. Adv. Mater., 2024, 36, 2401742.

Description of the employer

The M2 student (M/F) will be assigned to the group "Polyelectrolytes, Complexes and Materials" (PECMAT) at the Institut Charles Sadron (ICS), a unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). The project will be carried out under the supervision of Dr. Olivier Félix and Pelinsu Demir (PhD student).
ICS is a multidisciplinary research laboratory dedicated to fundamental/applied research in the fields of polymers and self-assembled systems with applications in materials science and life sciences (energy, cosmetics, environment, biomedical, food processing, …). It is the largest research center in this field in France: about 53 scientists (M/F), 38 engineers (M/F) and technicians (M/F) as well as 100 PhD students, post-docs, associate researchers and trainees (M/F). ICS is one of the founding members of the Interdisciplinary Thematic Institute (ITI) HiFunMat (ITI), a unique project dedicated to materials science, where innovative training is backed by cutting-edge research, involving a dense network of academic and industrial partners.
The PECMAT team at Institut Charles Sadron (ICS) has a nationally and internationally recognized expertise in the fabrication of multicomposite materials with nanoscale organization. Its activities encompass (i) the preparation of nanoscale building blocks, (ii) the organization of these building blocks into (multi)functional films/materials, (iii) the multiscale analysis of the structure and dynamics of these systems, (iv) the optimization of materials properties, but also (v) the improvement of the technology readiness levels once commercially interesting materials properties are found. While a large part of the activities of the PECMAT group is centered around polyelectrolytes as building blocks, other important building blocks are functional polymers, (block)copolymers, proteins and nanoscale objects (metallic, semiconducting or polymeric nanoparticles, - rods, -wires, and -fibers, carbon nanotubes, nanoclays and -platelets as well as graphene and its derivatives). The group works on films/materials at various interfaces, and also on bulk systems. Fundamental and applied research on these systems provides essential knowledge for the understanding of structure-property relationships at different scales and allows the development of new nanocomposite materials with many potential applications (sensors, functional coatings, optical filters, opto-electronic devices, flexible displays, ...) in material sciences and life sciences.
The ICS is located on the Cronenbourg Campus in Strasbourg (France). Strasbourg is the largest city in the Grand Est region and one of the four main capitals of the European Union. It is a hot tourist spot in the Upper Rhine Valley and is very well ranked not only for science but also for the quality of life.

Description of the profile sought

This multidisciplinary work at the frontier between chemistry, nanoscience, materials science and optics will involve thin film fabrication, structural characterization and physicochemical characterization. We are looking for a highly motivated master 2 student (M/F) having a formation in physical chemistry, chemical engineering or materials science and preferably with skills and/or interests in the following areas: materials, physical chemistry, thin layers, polymers and surfaces. The candidate (M/F) will work in a dynamic environment, in which collaboration with other team members will be encouraged. Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) in English are expected, while knowledge of French is not mandatory. Nice-to-have: experimental mindset, problem-solving skills, scientific rigor, autonomy.

Application:
Interested candidates (M/F) should provide a CV, a cover letter, a copy of their Master (L3 and M1) and/or engineering school transcripts and at least one letter of recommendation.

Special conditions of exercise

The PhD student (M/F) will be made aware of and trained on the risks inherent to his/her work environment.

Languages

Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) in English are expected, while knowledge of French is not mandatory.

Additional Information

- Workplace: CNRS-ICS, Campus of Cronenbourg, Strasbourg
- Internship duration: 6 months (ideally February-July 2026)
- Internship agreement from the school or university required.
- Compensation : 660 €/month