Job offers

Copper-based nanocatalysts represent an attractive alternative to noble metals for alcohol dehydrogenation reactions, enabling the simultaneous production of high-value organic molecules (aldehydes, esters) and hydrogen. In this context, ethanol is a preferred feedstock due to its abundance and the possibility of being produced from renewable sources (bioethanol).[1-3] Additionally, the acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate formed are key intermediates in the chemical industry, produced on a large scale (1–3 Mt per year worldwide). The most efficient systems consist of copper nanoparticles deposited onto oxide supports (SiO₂, ZrO₂), whose properties influence reaction selectivity. These catalysts require high temperatures and face limitations in terms of stability, recyclability and selectivity control. In this context, the development of hybrid nanocatalysts integrating magnetic functionalities appears as a promising strategy to improve both the efficiency and sustainability of the processes.[4]

Objectives: To develop hybrid nanocatalysts based on copper nanoparticles supported on magnetic iron oxide core architectures (Fe₃O₄, CoFe₂O₄), coated with oxide layers (SiO₂, ZrO₂). The goal is to obtain systems that are:

• highly active and selective for the dehydrogenation of ethanol into acetaldehyde or ethyl acetate,
• recyclable via magnetic separation,
• activable through magnetothermal heating in order to reduce the overall energy input.

Methods: The project is structured around three main steps carried out iteratively to optimize the system:

• Synthesis of magnetic core–shell supports (Fe₃O₄ or CoFe₂O₄ coated with SiO₂ and/or ZrO₂) and comprehensive characterization (microscopy, spectroscopy, magnetism, colloidal properties, and magnetothermal behavior).[5-8]
• Controlled deposition of copper nanoparticles via organometallic methods under mild conditions to tune particle size, dispersion, and oxidation state of active sites.[9-10]
• Catalytic evaluation of ethanol dehydrogenation under conventional heating and magnetothermal activation, including product analysis and correlation between structure, properties, and activity.

Desired profile: Master’s or engineering degree in Chemistry (materials, catalysis, nanoscience), with a strong theoretical and experimental background, and a keen interest in heterogeneous catalysis, nanoparticle synthesis, and/or materials chemistry. Skills in characterization of materials (electron microscopy, XPS, spectroscopy, DLS etc.) and molecules are highly valued. Candidates must demonstrate scientific rigor, autonomy, strong analytical skills, a genuine interest in experimental research, as well as an openness to interdisciplinary collaboration within a multi-disciplinary research environment. Good communication skills in English are required.

Applications should include: a CV with references, a cover letter, academic transcripts for L3, M1 and M2 (of all years of an equivalent degree, such as engineering degree) including your ranking. These transcipts must be combined into a single PDF file.

Supervisors
Armelle OUALI (armelle.ouali@enscm.fr), Yannick Guari (yannick.guari@umontpellier.fr)

References: [1] Kumar, 2021. [2] Phung, 2022. [3] Huang et al., 2021. [4] Pavelic et al., 2025. [5] Lartigue et al., 2019. [6] Nigoghossian et al., 2022. [7] Abdel Sater et al., 2025. [8] Sayilkan et al., 2009. [9] Ouyang et al., 2022. [10] Amiens et al., 2013.

Postdoctoral Position – University of Montpellier (France)

12-month contract, starting January 2026

Context
This project is part of the broader European effort to relocate pharmaceutical production by developing sustainable and economically competitive manufacturing processes. More specifically, it focuses on the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using innovative methods that are low-toxicity, lowpollution, and cost-effective.

Main mission
The goal of the project is to develop new methods for the arylation of various nucleophiles using low-cost, low-toxicity catalysts. Once proof of concept has been established, the targeted APIs from a wide range of therapeutic areas will be synthesized.

Context
Controlled management of strategic metal resources in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) has become a pressing issue due to the exponential increase in their use in recent years. The aim of this ANR-funded POLYCRICRI project is to propose a new, innovative approach to recycling critical metals that is cleaner and less energy-intensive. This work is a collaboration between ICGM, an expert in materials chemistry (including polymers, batteries, supercritical fluids, and computational chemistry), SNAM, the European leader in rechargeable battery recycling, INOVERTIS for life cycle analysis, and IFS for communication and expertise in supercritical fluid technologies.

Objectives
This thesis aims to explore a new approach to recycling critical metals (Co, Li, Ni, Mn) contained in LIBs. The approach is based on the use of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) assisted by polymers composed of CO2-philic units to confer solubility to the polymers, and complexing units to allow the polymers to interact with metal ions [1]. The target polymers will be synthesized by controlled radical polymerization or telomerization. The proposed method is based on promising results obtained on model compounds for cobalt and lithium [2-3]. The recovered metals will be reused for the synthesis of new cathode materials, whose performance will be evaluated electrochemically in Li-ion batteries. The complexing polymers will be regenerated for a new extraction cycle. This project contributes to the circular economy of critical metals.