Post-doc (M/F) NMR relaxometry

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is seeking a qualified researcher with expertise in NMR spectroscopy for a full-time position. The successful candidate will conduct experiments on aluminium oxides and hydroxides, utilizing advanced NMR techniques and Python programming. Responsibilities include preparation and analysis of samples, data interpretation, and collaboration with other researchers. This role offers a dynamic research environment in a multidisciplinary team, focusing on innovative solutions in physical chemistry.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of NMR spectroscopy and relaxation processes.
• Proficiency in programming for data analysis (Python).
• Experience in experimental NMR techniques.

Responsabilités

• Prepare and synthesize aluminium oxide/hydroxide suspensions.
• Conduct variable field relaxometry experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental results critically.
• Collaborate with researchers on experiment maintenance.

Connaissances

NMR spectroscopy

Python programming

NMR relaxation processes

NMR diffusometry techniques

Critical analysis

Formation

PhD in Physics or related field

Outils

Cyclic field NMR relaxometry

Variable field relaxometry

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department PHysicochimie des Electrolytes et Nanosystèmes InterfaciauX Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 5 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 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

Alumina (Al2O3) is widely used as a catalyst support or as a catalyst in its own right in many fields (refining, petrochemicals, Claus process or adsorbent). Alumina has hierarchical porosity on several scales (from nano to macro pores). It is produced by calcining boehmite paste (AlOOH, 0.45 H2O), and its porous structure is largely inherited from the structure of boehmite nanocrystal aggregates in aqueous phase.
The transport of molecules at different scales in these structures is crucial in catalytic processes. We have shown that the transport of water in boehmite suspensions and in weakly hydrated powders (1 to 3 layers of water on the surfaces) involves a fairly long residence time on the surface (µs). The surprising result, which still raises questions, is that we observe an increase in NMR relaxivity at a given frequency due to a transfer of magnetisation between the hydrogen in water (1H) and aluminium (27Al). However, this transfer is only possible if H-Al are fixed relative to each other. We assume that we are dealing with a dipole interaction between the hydrogen in water and the aluminium mediated by the hydrogen in hydroxide. As this type of relaxation has not yet been described, we will characterise this magnetisation transfer process on other aluminium oxide/hydroxide compounds whose surface hydroxide dynamics on the one hand and water interaction with these hydroxides on the other are very different from those observed with boehmite. The post-doc's mission is to refute or confirm this three-spin process using NMR relaxometry methods.

The candidate will prepare suspensions of different types of aluminium oxide/hydroxide, which will involve their synthesis and dispersion in an aqueous medium. He/she will carry out variable field relaxometry experiments using fixed field and cyclic field methods over wide temperature ranges. He/she will program Python codes to fit the experimental curves with models to be determined. He/she will analyse and interpret the experiments critically in relation to the results in the literature. He/she will write the experiment reports and publication associated with this research work. He/she will carry out, in collaboration with permanent staff, the maintenance operations necessary for the proper functioning of the equipment he/she will use.

The research work will be conducted at the PHENIX laboratory, located on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus of Sorbonne University. It will also involve measurement campaigns on the various platforms of Sorbonne University.
The candidate will be assigned to the Multiscale Modelling and Experiments (MEM) team, led by Benjamin Rotenberg and Guillaume Mériguet, which combines experiments and modelling to determine, understand and predict the behaviour of physicochemical systems at time scales ranging from picoseconds to 'human' scales " (seconds, minutes and beyond). The team comprises 18 permanent staff members.
The candidate will work with several researchers from the PHENIX laboratory, including A.-L. Rollet, G. Mériguet, P. Levitz and L. Michot.

The candidate must have in-depth knowledge of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and advanced expertise in NMR relaxation processes related to spin transport near surfaces. The candidate must have both theoretical and experimental skills in the field of cyclic field NMR relaxometry and must be proficient in NMR diffusometry techniques. The candidate must also be familiar with computer programming tools and languages. The candidate must be able to write reports and publications.

Additional comments

The candidate will be exposed to magnetic fields (up to 3T).