CNRS Ph.D. Student Fixed-Term Contract (M/F), in Catalysis and Bio-based Chemistry

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research; France; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS - Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers invites applications for a Doctoral Thesis position. The project focuses on high-frequency ultrasound technology for regenerating coke catalysts used in bio-based chemistry, conducted at the University of Poitiers (IC2MP) and in collaboration with IFPEN.

The candidate will join a cross-lab consortium under the PPST framework, with the aim of evaluating industrial feasibility and environmental impact.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in chemistry or related field.
• Solid knowledge in chemistry, catalysis and engineering.
• Interest in project management and industry collaboration is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Conduct doctoral research on ultrasound-assisted regeneration of coke catalysts for bio-based chemistry.
• Collaborate with IC2MP (CNRS, Univ. Poitiers) and IFPEN within the France 2030 project.
• Evaluate energy consumption, regeneration rates and catalyst stability under ultrasound.

Skills

Chemistry knowledge

Catalysis

Engineering

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Ultrasound equipment

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers Research Field Chemistry Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 24 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This doctoral research will take place at the University of Poitiers (IC2MP - https://ic2mp.labo.univ-poitiers.fr/ ) but is part of a broader project funded by France 2030 (PEPR EBIOCARB). The candidate will therefore be required to collaborate with other laboratories and industry partners within the consortium, particularly the UCCS in Lille.
This position falls under the category of “protection of scientific and technical potential” (PPST) and therefore, in accordance with regulations, requires that your arrival be authorized by the competent authority at the MESR.

In chemistry, 90% of reactions involve the use of a catalyst, not only to accelerate the reactions but also to better control their selectivity. On an industrial scale, it is generally accepted in the fields of commodity and specialty chemicals that a catalyst's efficiency is on the order of 1,000 g of product per g of catalyst. Achieving these targets requires robust catalysts—ideally based on non-strategic metals—and regeneration processes that enable their long-term recycling. Catalyst regeneration is a delicate process that impacts the overall performance of a catalytic process, including in terms of CO₂ footprint, water consumption, energy use, and waste generation. The objective of this doctoral thesis is to explore high-frequency ultrasound technology (cavitation bubble generation) for the regeneration of coked catalysts, particularly those used in reactions involving bio-based substrates. The ultimate goal is to evaluate the potential for industrialization of this technology in the field of bio-based chemistry.
In this context, this thesis will be conducted in collaboration between IC2MP (CNRS, University of Poitiers), which brings its expertise in the field of bio-based chemistry and ultrasonics, and IFPEN, which brings its expertise in catalysis and industrial process development. In terms of methodology, and based on preliminary results obtained by the host laboratory, ultrasound technology will first be studied on model catalysts, then applied—in collaboration with IFPEN—to catalysts used on a larger scale in production units. Energy consumption, regeneration rates, and catalyst stability under ultrasonic conditions are key criteria that will be considered when evaluating the economic and environmental feasibility of this research project.
The candidate must hold a master's degree (or equivalent) and demonstrate solid knowledge in the fields of chemistry, catalysis, and engineering. A strong interest in project management and collaborating with industry would be a plus. The candidate is expected to be curious and imaginative in order to challenge the team and its partners, for example by proposing radically different approaches.