Job offer

Université de Rennes; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious university in France is offering a PhD project focusing on organometallic chemistry aimed at developing catalysts for defluorination of harmful substances. The successful candidate will work under renowned supervisors in a well-equipped laboratory. Ideal candidates will possess a Master's degree in molecular chemistry, relevant experience in catalysis, and be proficient in English. The project duration is 36 months with an attractive salary and benefits typical for doctoral candidates.

Prestations

Social assets and healthcare benefits

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in molecular chemistry required.
• Strong affinity for organometallic chemistry and catalysis.
• Previous experience in these fields is mandatory.

Responsabilités

• Design and synthesise new molecular calcium and strontium complexes.
• Investigate reactivity of Ae complexes towards fluorinated alkyl substances.
• Extend catalytic cycles for defluorination of PFA compounds.

Description du poste

Offer Description

Starting date: September 1st, 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter
Duration: 36 months
Research grant: already secured (gross salary 2300 € pcm, ca. 1800 € net pcm)
Location: University of Rennes, France - Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, UMR CNRS 6226

Research project
The alkaline earth metals (= Ae) calcium, strontium and barium are attracting interest as abundant and innocuous s-block alternatives to expensive and more toxic transition metals in catalysis. Ae molecular catalysts are now used in a plethora of catalysed organic transformations, and their unique reactivity features make them ideal complement to traditional d-block systems. Our group has been involved for 15 years in this area of research, and has made several key contributions to the field.

Modern society is growing acutely aware of long-lasting toxicity issues, towards both land soil and human body, associated to per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, the infamous PFAs that have been dubbed “forever chemicals”. Research on PFAs toxicity has raised alarms about their environmental persistence and accumulation in blood serum and tissues. As a result, organofluorine contamination is one of the most pressing environmental issues. Current efforts focus on physical and chemical means, but effective methods to remedy this situation are still elusive. We believe that our research group has the experience and know-how to make an impact on the field, and this funded, 3-year PhD research project will be a step in this direction. We aim to synthesise well-defined complexes of the large alkaline earths (and, among these, most prominently calcium and strontium that exhibit particular affinity for fluorine) that can catalyse the defluorination of PFAs.

In this context, the three objectives of the PhD project are:

1. With the help of specific organoligands prepared for the purpose, to design and synthesise new molecular calcium and strontium complexes that will be able to activate and, ultimately, cleave C–F bonds. The targeted complexes will be charge-neutral or cationic, depending on the needs;
2. Investigate the stoichiometric reactivity of the new Ae complexes towards benchmark per- or polyfluorinated alkyl substances, hydrosilanes, and a combination of these reactants;
3. Extend the reactivity delineated above into efficient catalytic cycles that will enable effective defluorination of selected PFA compounds.

The project involves a large amount of synthetic organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis with highly air-sensitive compounds, that will require to work under inert atmosphere. The preparation of the ligands will entail a flair for organic chemistry. Once prepared and characterised by conventional methods (NMR spectroscopy in solution, X-ray diffraction crystallography, FTIR, etc.), the new metal complexes will be utilised in homogenous catalysis for C–F bond activation. Understanding the intimate nature of the chemical bonding, structure, stability and reactivity of these complexes will be a key aspect, and DFT investigations will be performed during the project.

Research facilities
The PhD student will work in an internationally renowned group, whose modern laboratory is equipped with all facilities to carry out the proposed air-sensitive organometallic chemistry: individual benches and fume hoods, glove boxes, drying columns, access to analytical instruments, etc. The student will have his/her own dedicated desk in an office, and a PC endowed with all necessary licensed software. The project leaders have a long experience in the proposed field of investigations.

Selected references related to the project

Barium-catalysed dehydrocoupling of terminal alkynes and hydrosilanes
S. Mohan, E. Clot, M. Cordier, J.-F. Carpentier, Y. Sarazin, ChemistryEurope 2026, ASAP article. DOI: 10.1002/ceur.202500401

Metal-metal bonded alkaline-earth distannyls
P. M. Chapple, J. Cartron, G. Hamdoun, S. Kahlal, M. Cordier, H. Oulyadi, J.-F. Carpentier, J.-Y. Saillard, Y. Sarazin. Chem. Sci. 2021, 12, 7098-7114, DOI: 10.1039/D1SC00436K

Bis(imino)carbazolate: a master key for barium chemistry
P. M. Chapple, S. Kahlal, J. Cartron, T. Roisnel, V. Dorcet, M. Cordier, J.-Y. Saillard, J.-F. Carpentier, Y. Sarazin. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2020, 59, 9120-9126

Low-coordinate barium boryloxides: synthesis and dehydrocoupling catalysis for the production of borasiloxanes
E. Le Coz, V. Dorcet, T. Roisnel, S. Tobisch, J.-F. Carpentier, Y. Sarazin, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 11747-11751

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Education
Education Field: Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry; Chemistry » Homogeneous catalysis; Chemistry » Molecular chemistry; Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in molecular chemistry. We are seeking a dynamic, highly motivated student with a strong affinity for organometallic chemistry and catalysis. Previous experience in these fields is a mandatory requirement. An interest in quantum mechanics (DFT) will be an advantage but is not compulsory. The hired student must be able to work in relative autonomy and demonstrate the capacity to bring his/her own input to the project.

Specific Requirements
The full research grant is already secured for the 36-month project. The PhD will be conducted at the University of Rennes under the supervision of Dr Yann SARAZIN (CNRS Research director) and Prof Jean-François CARPENTIER (University of Rennes). They must be open to working in a multi-cultural laboratory. A very good command of English is compulsory; some knowledge of French will also be an advantage. The recruited PhD student will learn an array of soft skills, in addition to the usual scientific skills expected from a PhD training in chemical sciences. They will graduate and gain a PhD degree from the University of Rennes. The student will receive the standard salary for a University of Rennes PhD student (doctoral contract, ca. 1800 € net per calendar month) and will also benefit from the social assets and healthcare of all university staff members.

Languages
ENGLISH: Excellent; FRENCH: Basic

Research Field
Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry; Chemistry » Molecular chemistry; Chemistry » Homogeneous catalysis
Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

The recruited PhD student will receive the standard salary for a University of Rennes PhD student (doctoral contract, gross salary 2300 € per month, ca. 1800 € net per month) and will also benefit from the social assets and healthcare of all university staff members.

Eligibility criteria
The University of Rennes promotes gender equality in recruitment and career progression. The recruited student must be able to start on September 01, 2026, or as soon as possible after this (before December 2026)

The applicants who are shortlisted will be interviewed (ca. 1 hour) during a visio call. The selection will be made on the basis of both the application file (CV, letter, references from external researchers) and the job interview.