Job title:
Optical control of energy conversion devices to boost catalytic efficiency and selectivity
Company:
Job description
Offer DescriptionCall for expression of interest descriptionThe is a highly prestigious renowned EU-funded scheme. It offers talented scientists a unique chance to set up 2-year research and training projects with the support of a supervising team. Besides providing an attractive grant, it represents a major opportunity to boost the career of promising researchers.Research laboratories in Brittany are thus looking for excellent postdoctoral researchers with an international profile to write a persuasive proposal to apply for a Marie S. Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship grant in 2024 (deadline of the EU call set on 11 September 2024). The topic and research team presented below have been identified in this regard.Main Research FieldChemistry (CHE)Research sub-field(s)Physical-Chemistry, Renewable Energies, Spectroscopy, CatalysisKeywordsUltrafast spectroscopy, (photo)electrocatalysis, optical control of solidsResearch project descriptionThe transition to a sustainable future requires developing new technologies capable of exploiting renewable sources. In particular, the electrification of fossil- fuel based processes in industry and transport requires new materials that can store and transduce electrical energy.Electrocatalytic and (photo)electrocatalytic materials offer a great opportunity to generate renewable fuels and chemicals for industry. For example, key reactions include the splitting of water to produced H2 or the reduction of CO2 into C-based compounds. However, enhancing the efficiency and selectivity of (photo)electrochemical reactions remains a big challenge.One of the key problems stems from the difficulty of characterising the catalytic interface of heterogenous systems under working conditions. This prevents us from elucidating the reaction mechanisms and limits our ability to control reactivity in a similar way to what can be achieved with homogeneous molecular catalysis. A particular challenge of solids is that they are prone to form defects during catalysis. However, how defects and lattice distortions impact the steps of the catalytic cycle remains unknown.This project has to main objectives (1) explore the role that defects and imperfection play in controlling the efficiency and selectivity of photo/electrochemical reactions and (2) developing new strategies that use tailored light pulses to modulate reactions and tune the reaction mechanisms on demand.The project will build on the experimental expertise and research interests of the candidate and the facilities that are already available within our group. The research will involve the implementation of optical control tools based on multi-pulse laser experiments and their integration with analytical characterisation methods. In addition, experiments at large-scale facilities, such as synchrotrons or XFELs, will likely be required to establish how disorder influences catalytic mechanism through the modulation of the electronic and atomic structure of the catalysts or fluid phase.Relevant literature includes: (i) ; (2) ; (3) , (4) (6)Supervisor(s)Ernest Pastor is a CNRS Junior Professor Chair at IPR-The Institute of Physics of Rennes in France. He did a PhD in Photochemistry at Imperial College London and worked as a researcher in Spain (fellow at ICFO and INAM) and in the UK and USA (postdoc at Imperial College and the Berkeley National Lab). Ernest uses ultrafast lasers, x-ray radiation and electrochemistry to study functional solids, such as catalytic oxides or phase-change materials. He is interested in using laser pulses to manipulate defects and structural imperfections. In 2022 Ernest was awarded an ERC Starting Grant to explore how light can be used to control polarons and point defects in solids for energy conversion and storage applications.Relevant publications * Johnson A.S. et al All-optical seeding of a light induced phase transition with correlated disorder.Nature Physics.
- Meng Z. et al. Operando IR optical control of localised charge carriers in BiVO4 photoanodes. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 17700.
- Pastor E. et al. In Situ observation of picosecond polaron self-localisation in α-Fe2O3 photoelectrochemical cells. Nature Communications, 2019, 10, 3962.
Google Scholar:The Postdoctoral Fellow will be supervised by Ernest PASTOR.Department/ResearchThe candidate will be working at the CNRS and specifically associated to the Materials and Light Department at the Institute of Physics of Rennes. We are a highly collaborative team with more than 20 researchers working in the areas of ultrafast spectroscopy, crystallography and energy conversion. Our research facilities include 4 ultrafast lasers, 2 diffraction spectrometers, sample deposition equipment as well as electrochemical capabilities. Our group has received funding by the ERC, the ANR or Rennes Metropole and the Department leads the CNRS international lab DYNACOM.Link to website:LocationIPR- Institut de Physique de RennesUniversité de RennesCampus Beaulieu – Bâtiment 11A,263 avenue du Général Leclerc35042 Rennes CEDEX, FranceSuggestion for interdisciplinary / intersectoral secondments and placementsA secondment can be envisaged at collaborating universities or large-scale facilities to test results or develop new skills in the characterisation of catalytic products or the development of advanced optical control tools. Moreover, our department has close links with several Japanese institutions and leads the CNRS International Research Laboratory DYNACOM with the University of Tokyo. Research stays in Japan can also be envisaged.Link to DYNACOM:RequirementsResearch Field Chemistry Education Level PhD or equivalentSkills/QualificationsWe look for a motivated, team-oriented, candidate with interest in exploring new ways to control catalytic reactions using light. Experience in the areas of catalysis photo/electrochemical conversion, time-resolved spectroscopy and x-ray spectroscopy or crystallography would be desirable. We envision the need to use large scale facilities such as synchrotrons or X-ray Free electron lasers, therefore interest and/or experience in using such facilities would be a plus.Languages ENGLISH Level ExcellentAdditional InformationEligibility criteriaAcademic qualification: By 11 September 2024, applicants must bein possession of a doctoral degree, defined as a successfully defended doctoral thesis, even if the doctoral degree has yet to be awarded.Research experience: Applicants must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date applicants were in possession of a doctoral degree. Years of experience outside research and career breaks (e.g. due to parental leave), will not be taken into account.Nationality & Mobility rules:Applicants can be of any nationality but must not have resided more than 12 months in France in the 36 months immediately prior to the MSCA-PF call deadline on 11 September 2024.Selection processWe encourage all motivated and eligible postdoctoral researchers to send their expressions of interest through the EU Survey application form ( ), before 5th of May 2024. Your application shall include:
- a CV specifying: (i) the exact dates for each position and its location (country) and (ii) a list of publications;
- a cover letter including a research outline (up to 2 pages) identifying the research synergies with the project supervisor(s) and proposed research topics described above.
Estimated timetableDeadline for sending an expression of interest5th May 2024Selection of the most promising application(s)May – June 2024Writing the MSCA-PF proposal with the support of the above-mentioned supervisor(s)June – September 2024MSCA-PF 2024 call deadline11th September 2024Publication of the MSCA-PF evaluation resultsFebruary 2025Start of the MSCA-PF project (if funded)May 2025 (at the earliest)Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IPR- Institut de Physique de Rennes Country France City Rennes Postal Code 35042 Street 263 avenue Général Leclerc GeofieldWhere to apply WebsiteContact CityRennes WebsiteStreet263 avenue Général Leclerc Postal Code35042 E-Mail[email protected]STATUS: EXPIRED
Expected salary
Location
Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine
Job date
Sun, 31 Mar 2024 08:21:18 GMT
To help us track our recruitment effort, please indicate in your email/cover letter where (vacanciesineu.com) you saw this job posting.
