Postdoctoral Researcher Positions in Electrochemistry

Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour les Matériaux et l’Environnement (LCPME, UMR 7564, www.lcpme.ul.cnrs.fr) is a multidisciplinary joint research unit between CNRS (Institute of Chemistry) and the Université de Lorraine. It gathers 75 staff members, who develop research aiming at the understanding of surfaces and interfaces reactivity having a role in the fields of water, environment and materials, with physical chemistry and microbiology aspects. Particularly, the internationally recognized electrochemistry and analytical chemistry team (ELAN) sets focus on electroanalysis, regularly hosting scholars from all over the world. The working language is English.

Position 1: Gel electrolyte

Electrochemical actuators based on 2D nanomaterials especially MXenes are emerging in recent years. They convert electrical energy to mechanical energy via electrochemical processes, which can be driven at much lower voltage as compared with dielectric elastomeric actuators. For the development of materials towards better performance targeting at human-machine interface applications, it is important to understand the relationship between electrochemical behavior and strain response at micro- or nano-scale. This will be realized by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) or scanning gel electrochemical microscopy (SGECM) coupled with localized force measurements.

This postdoctoral researcher position is dedicated to the development of gel electrolyte, targeting at two key tasks in the project: (1) Improve the gel properties for SGECM measurements of local electrochemical reactivity and force response. (2) Develop bio-friendly gel electrolyte for braille application with MXene electrochemical actuators.

The work is supported by an ANR-NRF international collaboration project between France and Singapore: High Performance Microelectrochemical Actuators based on 2D MXenes. Dr. Mathieu Etienne is expert in shear force SECM, and active in the fields of bio-electrochemistry, redox flow batteries and bio-electrochemical remediation of natural water. Dr. Liang Liu has developed the gel probes and instrumentation for local optical/electrochemical measurements in the recent years. The work will be carried out in LCPME, with expected collaboration with Singaporean research team led by Prof. Pooi See Lee from Nanyang Technological University. The postdoctoral researcher will have a work contract with CNRS. The initial contract is 18 months, starting as soon as possible.

Requirements of the candidate:

(1) Valid Ph.D. degree by the starting date of the position.

(2) Fluent in English communication. French language is not mandatory.

(3) Education background in Physics, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, with strong experience in polymer chemistry and engineering, as well as electrochemistry. Experience and interest in instrumentation development and/or data analysis is a bonus.

Contact:

Dr. Mathieu Etienne  mathieu.etienne@cnrs.fr

Dr. Liang Liu  liang.liu@cnrs.fr

For this position please apply through CNRS recruitment portal: Portail Emploi CNRS - Job offer - Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Gel Electrolyte Electrochemistry

Position 2 : Sensing lead in water

This work will address to challenges for the in-situ monitoring of lead concentration in drinking water: (i) the absence of repeatable and controlled conditions of measurements; (ii) the biofouling of sensor surfaces. The objectives of this work are to develop a new class of electrochemical sensors able to detect down to 10 ppb of lead in drinking water, without the addition of chemicals, thanks to the electrochemical control of pH during analysis. Finally, an electrochemical strategy will be designed to offer sensors an anti-biofouling protection. The candidate is expected to carry out:

• Development of an electrochemical system for environmental monitoring;
• Development of an experimental protocol for the electrochemical detection of lead in drinking water;
• Investigation of the influence of experimental parameters (conductivity, pH, T, flow rate) on the performances of the electrochemical system; 
• Development of the monitoring of the health status of the sensors and of an appropriate electrochemical cleaning procedure; 
• Writing of scientific reports and articles.

The research project is a part of ANR PRCE aQuaLead project. The contract is for 12 months, expected to start on Apr. 1, 2023. 

Requirements of the candidate:

1. The candidate must be autonomous, motivated by research work and have strong knowledge in electrochemistry and analytical chemistry.
2. Competencies is electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, in vibration spectroscopies (IR, Raman) and/ or in epifluorescence microscopy will be appreciated.
3. A good knowledge (written and spoken) in English and/or French will be essential.

Contact:

Dr. Grégoire Herzog  gregoire.herzog@cnrs.fr

For this position please apply through CNRS recruitment portal: Portail Emploi CNRS - Job offer - Post-doctorat en électrochimie H/F

Position 3 : Electrochemical material science

This work aims to elaborate innovative hybrid films based on biopolymers embedding magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. The originality of this project relies on the electrochemical process of film formation at a polarised liquid-liquid interface. Such a biphasic system has the advantage of being 2D, defect-free at the molecular level, and resilient towards external perturbation. It will allow to generate a wide range nanobiohybrid films with tuneable properties, which will be used for pollutant adsorption or industrial surfaces decontamination. The candidate is expected to carry out:

• Elaboration and characterisation of polymer films by liquid-liquid interface polarisation;
• Integration of iron oxide nanoparticles in these polymer membranes;
• Investigation of the depolluting and decontaminant properties;
• Writing of scientific reports and articles.

The research project is a part of InterCarnot NanoBioCities project. The contract is for 12 months, expected to start on Apr. 1, 2023.

Requirements of the candidate:

1. The candidate must be autonomous, motivated by research work and have strong knowledge in electrochemistry and Materials Sciences.
2. Competencies is electrochemistry at the liquid-liquid interface and/or in vibration spectroscopies (IR, Raman) will be appreciated.
3. A good knowledge (written and spoken) in English and/or French will be essential.

Contact:

Dr. Grégoire Herzog  gregoire.herzog@cnrs.fr

For this position please apply through CNRS recruitment portal: Portail Emploi CNRS - Job offer - Post-doctorat en électrochimie / Science des Matériaux H/F