Job offer

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 24 000 - 35 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

La Commission Européenne recherche un chercheur doctoral pour le projet H2MAX, axé sur les mécanismes de stockage d'hydrogène dans les phases MAX. Le candidat bénéficiera d'une expertise précieuse en méthodes expérimentales et computationnelles, développant des compétences clés dans la science des matériaux et la modélisation.

Qualifications

• Master en science des matériaux ou domaines connexes.
• Compréhension de base en science des matériaux et physique de la matière condensée.

Responsabilités

• Rejoindre le projet H2MAX sur le stockage d'hydrogène dans les phases MAX.
• Effectuer des expériences et des calculs ab initio.

Connaissances

Modélisation des matériaux

Caractérisation microstructurale

Programmation en Python

Formation

Master en science des matériaux

Outils

Microscopie électronique (SEM, TEM, EBSD)

Description du poste

Organisation/Company: Université Lorraine, CNRS, LEM3, IJL

Research Field: Technology > Materials technology > Physics

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Leading Researcher (R4), First Stage Researcher (R1), Established Researcher (R3)

Country: France

Application Deadline: 30 Aug 2025 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2025

Funding: Not funded by an EU programme

Research Infrastructure Staff Position: No

Offer Description

The doctoral researcher will join the H2MAX project (Hydrogen storage mechanisms in MAX phases), funded by the Grand-Est region over 36 months.

This project aims to understand how the chemistry of A and M elements, along with crystalline defects, influence hydrogen storage in MAX phases and MXenes.

MAX phases are layered hexagonal carbides and nitrides with the formula Mₙ₊₁AXₙ, combining metallic and ceramic properties. MXenes are derived from MAX phases and are promising for energy storage and catalysis, including hydrogen storage.

The project focuses on specific MAX phases (Ti₃AlC₂, Ti₃SiC₂, Ti₂AlC, Ti₂SiC, V₃AlC₂, V₂AlC) and MXenes (Ti₃C₂, Ti₂C, V₃C₂, V₂C), selected for their relevance to hydrogen storage and availability for synthesis. This allows direct comparison with ab initio simulations.

Experiments will utilize tools at LEM3: hydrogen uptake and kinetics via a Sievert apparatus; microstructure analysis before and after hydrogenation using MICROMAT. Ab initio calculations will be performed with VASP on HPC facilities to compute H insertion and migration energies in pristine and defected structures.

The project may also involve developing machine learning potentials to model complex systems beyond ab initio methods, such as dislocation-H interactions or Mg-MAX interfaces, toward realistic nanocomposites.

This interdisciplinary project requires skills in both experimental and computational methods, providing the researcher with comprehensive expertise valuable in academia and industry. The candidate will gain insights into hydrogen storage phenomena and develop versatile methodologies.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in materials science or related fields (e.g., quantum/statistical physics, nanoscience).
• Basic understanding of materials science and condensed matter physics.

Beneficial Skills:

• Experience or strong interest in materials modeling and simulations; programming skills in Python are a plus.
• Knowledge of microstructural characterization techniques, especially electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, EBSD).