Post-doctoral position - Development of high value-added hemp textile fibers : impact of retting and functionalizations

Location: Alès, France

Contract: 11-month fixed-term contract – Public law contract – Full-time

Start date: June 1, 2026

Institution: IMT Mines Alès, Materials Research Center (C2MA) – PCH Research, Alès (Département du Gard – Région Occitanie)

Presentation of our institution and research and teaching center C2MA

Mines-Télécom Institute
The Mines-Télécom Institute (IMT) is a public scientific, cultural and professional establishment (EPSCP) under the supervision of the ministers of industry and digital technology. It includes 11 engineering schools, trains 13,500 engineers and doctors, employs 4,500 people, with an annual budget of €400 million.

IMT Mines Alès
Created in 1843, IMT Mines Alès has 1,400 students and 380 staff. It features research centers C2MA (materials and civil engineering), CREER (environment and risks), CERIS (AI and industrial engineering). It has 12 technological platforms and 1,600 partner companies.

Materials Research Center (C2MA)
C2MA focuses on industry and society needs in materials through three teams: Durability of ecomaterials and structures at Alès, Polymers, Composites and Hybrids at Alès, Research of Interactions between materials and their environment at Pau.

PCH Research Unit
Focuses on development and characterization of eco-materials from renewable or recycled resources. Areas: Biomass and bio-based materials, Surface and interface engineering, Durability and recycling of polymers and composites, Fire behaviour and thermal degradation of polymers.

Job description

This work is part of the ANR TAFFTA project, aiming to develop high value-added hemp fibers for textile applications in southern France.

The postdoctoral study focuses on two stages:

• Retting: Study physicochemical properties (cell walls, biochemical composition) and mechanical properties (tensile strength) of hemp fibers during retting and by harvest location (Drôme, Lot, Normandy).
• Finishing: Develop surface treatments for hemp rovings (hydrophobicity, fire resistance, antibacterial resistance) using chemical/physical (plasma) methods at roving or fabric level.

Desired profile

Minimum: PhD in materials science (textiles focus), experience in microstructural, physicochemical, mechanical characterization of fibers. Autonomous in project execution and deliverables.

Valued: Knowledge in fiber/fabric processing and characterization.

Behavioral skills: Dynamism, Autonomy, Commitment, Teamwork, Organizational skills, Rigorous, Initiative, Adaptability, Curiosity, Creativity.

Contacts

Job description: Anne BERGERET, Professor, anne.bergeret@mines-ales.fr, +33 (0)4 66 78 53 44

Administrative: Géraldine BRUNEL, HR Director, geraldine.brunel@mines-ales.fr, +33 (0)4 66 78 50 66