PhD-student (M/F): Advanced Recycling of Flame-Retardant-Containing Plastics: Green Extraction [...]

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 25 000 - 30 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France seeks a PhD candidate to join the PReF team, focusing on eco-friendly extraction and decontamination processes for recycling materials. The role involves multidisciplinary collaboration and aims to address environmental challenges through innovative research in materials science.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, or related fields.
• Strong experimental skills and interest in polymer characterization.

Responsabilités

• Develop and optimize decontamination processes for contaminated polymer mixtures.
• Characterize materials before and after treatment.

Connaissances

Experimental Skills

Communication

Interest in Polymer Characterization

Formation

Master's degree in Materials Science

Engineering Diploma

Outils

Spectroscopic Techniques

Chromatographic Techniques

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Unité Matériaux et Transformations Research Field Chemistry » Physical chemistry Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Biophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 5 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 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 PhD project (doctoral school SMRE) will take place within the “Recycling and Functionalization Processes” (PReF) team of UMET (Unité Matériaux et Transformations – UMR 8207, CNRS/University of Lille). Among its four main research orientations, the PReF team leads a thematic area focused on “Materials Recycling”, which covers:
• the development of decontamination processes for end-of-life materials (e.g. UV-Visible irradiation, electron beam treatments),
• the recycling, reuse, and recovery of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).
These topics address major environmental challenges and are supported by multidisciplinary collaborations with both academic and industrial partners in fields such as chemistry, physics, materials science, electronics, and industrial production.
The PReF team has established recognized expertise in the design of photolytic reactors, operating in static or dynamic mode, with the aim of developing solvent-free, dry processes. These systems were successfully implemented during the interreg FWVL VALBREE project, where UMET demonstrated a reduction of more than 85% in the content of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), persistent organic pollutants found in model polymer mixtures.
Building on this experience, the proposed PhD will contribute to an interreg project by exploring eco-friendly extraction and decontamination processes, and supporting the formulation of new sustainable recycled materials.

Candidate Profile:
• Master's degree (MSc or Engineering diploma) in Materials Science, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related fields.
• Strong experimental skills and interest in polymer characterization, degradation processes, or sustainable materials.
• Prior experience with spectroscopic/chromatographic techniques and/or polymer processing would be a plus.
• Good communication and writing skills. Fluency in English (B2 level or higher) required.
• Motivated, curious, and ready to engage in multidisciplinary, collaborative research.

As part of an Interreg project FWVL, this PhD thesis focuses on circular economy strategies applied to plastic materials originating from complex waste streams. The goal is to develop and optimize decontamination processes that enable the safe reuse of these materials as new raw resources.
The doctoral researcher will work on:
• The physical treatment of contaminated polymer mixtures (irradiation, extraction, etc.);
• The study of degradation kinetics and the identification of resulting by-products;
• The characterization of materials before and after treatment (chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties);
• The valorization of decontaminated polymers and the assessment of their potential for recycling.
The work will benefit from comprehensive analytical facilities and close collaboration with several academic and industrial partners involved in the project.