Offer Description
Responsibilities: Postdoctoral research associate (PDRA) in electrochemistry and materials science
Category: A
Civil service grade: Researcher
To transmit knowledge, understand the world, and meet the challenges of the 21st century, a new university was created on 1 January 2018, resulting from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University. Sorbonne University is a multidisciplinary, research-intensive, world-class university. Rooted in the heart of Paris and present across the regions, it is committed to student success and strives to address the scientific challenges of the 21st century. www.sorbonne-universite.fr
The Interfaces and Electrochemical Systems Laboratory (LISE, UMR 8235), a joint research unit of Sorbonne University and the CNRS, is a leading laboratory in the fields of electrochemistry, corrosion, and materials science. Its research activities focus on the study of fundamental electrochemical mechanisms, the degradation of materials in complex environments, as well as the development of advanced analytical methodologies for the investigation of electrochemical interfaces.
The laboratory has recognized expertise in the development and use of the AESEC technique (atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry), which enables real-time, element-resolved analysis of material dissolution and transformation processes. Its activities also include the development of innovative experimental devices for use in aqueous, strongly acidic, and non-aqueous media.
The postdoctoral researcher will join the ERC Starting Grant project URANUS (Understanding degradation mechanism of metallic materials in extreme environments using element-resolved electrochemistry, grant number: 101220159, 2026–2030), led by Dr Junsoo Han (Associate Professor, HDR, Sorbonne University). This project aims to understand the fundamental mechanisms governing electrochemical reactions of metallic materials in extreme environments. It combines instrumentation development, fundamental electrochemistry, and real-time elemental analysis to provide new insights into the mechanisms of corrosion, dissolution, and passivation of materials.
Location: Sorbonne University, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, LISE laboratory (UMR 8235)
Mission
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development and application of the AESEC technique for the study of electrochemical systems in extreme environments, particularly in concentrated high-temperature electrolytes such as hot nitric acid and molten salts.
The main mission is to understand the mechanisms of dissolution, passivation, and interfacial reactivity under severe conditions, while developing innovative experimental approaches enabling coupling between electrochemistry and real-time elemental analysis.
Research activities will include the design and development of electrochemical cells adapted to AESEC, the experimental implementation of measurements in extreme environments, the execution of experimental campaigns, the analysis and interpretation of the resulting data, and the dissemination of results through scientific publications and presentations at international conferences.
The postdoctoral researcher will also participate in national and international collaborations developed within the framework of the URANUS project.
Main activities
- Develop and optimize AESEC experiments coupled with electrochemical systems operating in highly corrosive and/or high-temperature environments.
- Design, develop, and adapt experimental devices for operation in hot concentrated nitric acid and molten salts.
- Ensure the stability, reliability, and reproducibility of measurements under extreme conditions (high temperature, high viscosity, strong corrosivity, etc.).
- Optimise electrolyte transport and sample introduction into the ICP spectrometer while minimising matrix effects and analytical disturbances.
- Investigate in real time anodic dissolution, passivation, and interfacial reactivity mechanisms of metallic materials.
- Correlate AESEC signals with data obtained from other techniques available at LISE (electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, in situ Raman spectroscopy, and on-line gas analysis).
- Develop and apply multi-signal data processing and analysis methods (electrochemistry and atomic emission), using tools developed at LISE as well as advanced artificial intelligence approaches.
- Identify and interpret fundamental mechanisms of corrosion, dissolution, and passivation in extreme environments.
- Contribute to the writing of scientific articles and reports, and to the dissemination of results at national and international conferences.
- Contribute to the maintenance, development, and reliability of the AESEC experimental platform.
Additional activities, where applicable
- Participate in the scientific life of the team and in URANUS project meetings.
- Occasionally supervise or train PhD students, interns, or students in the AESEC technique and experimental methods in extreme environments.
- Develop collaborations with academic and industrial partners in the fields of corrosion, materials science, and high-temperature electrochemistry.
- Contribute to the visibility of the URANUS project through presentations, seminars, and outreach activities.
Supervision: No
Requirements
Research Field: Chemistry
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Other
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Transversal knowledge required
- Excellent command of scientific communication in written and spoken English.
- In-depth knowledge of scientific writing and publication processes in peer-reviewed international journals.
- Knowledge of electrochemistry, corrosion, and materials science.
- Understanding of the principles of design and development of experimental devices for fundamental research.
- Knowledge of processing, analyzing, and interpreting complex multi-signal experimental data.
- Knowledge of data processing methods using scientific programming and advanced digital tools.
- Knowledge of safety regulations applicable to corrosive chemical environments, high temperatures, and complex experimental equipment.
- Understanding of how collaborative national and international research projects operate.
Technical skills
- Proficiency in advanced electrochemical techniques (voltammetry, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EQCM, etc.).
- Implementation, optimizations, and development of experimental setups coupling electrochemistry with real-time elemental analysis (AESEC).
- Design, development, and adaptation of experimental protocols in corrosive, concentrated, and/or high-temperature environments.
- Design and optimization of electrochemical cells; experience in modelling and fluid dynamics simulation (COMSOL Multiphysics or equivalent) is an asset.
- Acquisition, processing, analysis, and interpretation of complex multi-signal experimental data.
- Identification and analysis of dissolution, passivation, and interfacial reaction mechanisms at material/electrolyte interfaces.
- Use of scientific programming tools for data analysis and visualization (Python, MATLAB or equivalent).
- Experience with glove box systems and/or molten salt electrochemistry is an advantage.
- Experience with coupled spectroscopy, operando techniques, or elemental analysis methods is highly valued.
Transversal skills
- Ability to independently conduct a research project from experimental design through to data analysis and dissemination of results.
- Management and coordination of experimental activities in a complex, multidisciplinary scientific environment.
- Ability to rapidly adapt to new scientific challenges and instrumental tools.
- Effective scientific communication in English, both written and oral, particularly for publications and international presentations.
- Ability to interact with collaborators from diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
- Use of digital and computational tools for data processing, analysis, and research data management.
- Strict application of safety procedures and best laboratory practices.
Behavioral competencies
- Scientific rigor and strong organizational skills.
- Autonomy, creativity, and initiative in developing new experimental approaches.
- Team spirit and ability to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment.
Specific Requirements
- Experimental work in extreme conditions involving the handling of highly corrosive media (concentrated high-temperature acids) and molten electrolytes.
- Use of advanced electrochemical devices coupled with online elemental analysis techniques (AESEC), requiring particular attention to system stability, measurement reliability, and the handling of complex chemical matrices.
- Strict compliance with health and safety regulations applicable to hazardous chemical environments, as well as with specific experimental procedures for high temperatures and corrosive substances.
Languages: English
Level: Excellent