Job Information
Organisation/Company: UNIVERSITE DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIEGNE
Department: Department of Industrial Process Engineering
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering; Engineering » Process engineering; Chemistry
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1); Recognised Researcher (R2)
Positions: Other Positions
Application Deadline: 31 Aug 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris)
Country: France
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
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
The European CERISEA project aims to develop sustainable processes that can be scaled up to pilot scale for the production and processing of bio-based molecules derived from biomass, in particular HMF (5-hydroxymethylfurfural), DFF (2,5-diformylfuran) and their functional derivatives (e.g. bismethylaminofuran, BAMF) for use in bio-based materials.
In particular, it aims to contribute to the development of an industrial demonstrator for HMF production in Europe, with a view to decarbonising industry and replacing fossil resources with renewable alternatives.
The project is part of a collaborative initiative bringing together academic and industrial partners (ARKEMA, the University of Poitiers, MICHELIN Engineered Polymers, IFPEN, etc.) with a view to pilot-scale demonstration (TRL 4–5) and the formulation of end products.
CERISEA | Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU)
In this context, the engineer recruited will participate in the development, optimisation and upscaling of chemical conversion processes, with a strong focus on scale-up and process integration.
- Be part of an innovative project
- Contribute to major technological advances
- Use your technical expertise to solve complex challenges and develop innovative solutions
- Work alongside a multidisciplinary team and enjoy a stimulating and rewarding working environment.
Your responsibilities
The research engineer will play an active role in the CERISEA project, focusing on process development, scale-up and the technical management of experiments.
Your activities
- Contribute to the scale-up of chemical transformations of bio-based molecules, from the laboratory to pilot-scale.
- Design, implement and optimise chemical transformation processes (batch and/or continuous).
- Carry out material and process balances, analyse performance and identify technical bottlenecks.
- Help to structure and organise pilot-scale experimental campaigns.
- Ensure experimental traceability and monitor process indicators (yields, selectivity, productivity, material balances).
- Contribute to the development and integration of pilot units (reactors, filtration, evaporation, purification, etc.).
- Carry out analytical monitoring of experiments (GC, HPLC, IR, NMR, physicochemical analyses).
- Organise, analyse and interpret experimental data.
- Interpret the chemical transformations observed and contribute to understanding the reaction mechanisms and process limitations.
- Participate in technical meetings with academic and industrial partners within the European consortium.
- Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate interns and contribute to their scientific and experimental supervision.
- Contribute to the drafting of technical reports and deliverables for the European project.
Where to apply
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Process engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The role will suit both a motivated young engineer wishing to develop expertise in scale-up and a more experienced candidate or PhD holder wishing to develop their career in an environment focused on industrial transfer.
Qualifications
Engineering degree, Master’s (M2) or PhD
Field
Process engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, green chemistry or a related field.
Experience
Entry-level candidates will be considered if they demonstrate strong motivation for process development and scale-up.
Experience (internship, work-study programme, PhD thesis or employment) in chemical processes, sustainable chemistry, reactors, separation or biomass recovery would be an advantage.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of process engineering, process chemistry or laboratory/pilot-scale experimentation.
- A good grounding in organic chemistry would be an asset, to understand the chemical transformations involved, the associated reaction mechanisms and any degradation phenomena.
- Knowledge of design of experiments (DoE) would be an advantage.
- Good command of scientific and technical English (French is a plus).
Technical skills
- A keen interest in the development of chemical processes and scale-up.
- The ability or motivation to carry out material balances and process analyses.
- Familiarity with analytical techniques (GC, HPLC, IR, NMR) would be an advantage.
- Skills or experience relating to chemical processes (e.g. flow chemistry, unit operations such as filtration, evaporation or extraction, multiphase processes, etc.) would be an advantage, though are not essential.
Personal Skills
- Independence, attention to detail and organisational skills.
- Initiative and the ability to solve technical problems.
- Team spirit and the ability to work collaboratively.
- Ability to thrive in an international collaborative environment.
Assets
- Experience in collaborative academic, industrial or European projects.
- Interest in industrial commercialisation and technology transfer.
Languages: ENGLISH – Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
Gross monthly salary
Depending on experience and funding
Additional comments
Application dates
From 30/07/2026 to 31/08/2026
Contract type and expected start date
Fixed-term contract – expected duration of 13 months, with the possibility of extension – to start in September or October 2026
Working hours
37 hours and 30 minutes per week – 1,607 hours per year
Keywords
Green chemistry, biomass utilisation, process engineering, scale-up, HMF, DFF, continuous processes, reactors, material balances, sustainable chemistry, bio-based materials
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: UNIVERSITE DE TECHNOLOGIE DE COMPIEGNE
Country: France
State/Province: HAUTS DE FRANCE
City: COMPIEGNE
Postal Code: 60200
Street: Rue du docteur Schweitzer
Geofield:
Contact
State/Province: HAUTS DE FRANCE
City: COMPIEGNE
Website: https://www.utc.fr/recrutement/
Street: Rue du Docteur Schweitzer
Postal Code: 60200
This is a Preview Listing…
You must sign in to see the full job description, and to apply.
Manage / Upgrade this job to a Full Job Listing.
Find Your Best Opportunity
Tell them AcademicJobs.com sent you!