Postdoctoral : Design of bimetallic and multifunctional catalysts for the direct conversion of CO2 into liquid fuels - CDD 11 months

POST ENVIRONMENT

School of the ministry in charge of industry, IMT Mines Albi is a school of the Institut Mines-Télécom, 1st group of engineering and management schools of France. At the forefront of industrial and academic issues on the international scene, it acts as a territorial scientific and economic engine by combining its 4 missions - to train engineers by integrating the dynamics of sustainable development, scientific research, contributing to economic development and spreading the culture of science, technology and innovation - in a virtuous and innovative cycle.

Its positioning in terms of training and research places IMT Mines Albi as a reference school on three of the four themes of the IMT, namely responsible future industry, energy, circular economy and society and engineering, health and well-being.

IMT Mines Albi has adopted in 2023 and for a five-year period, a strategic plan divided into 7 major actions, thus responding to the strategic orientations of the IMT group to which it belongs.

The activities of the RAPSODEE research center are organized into two research groups focused on energy, the environment, and particulate engineering, with a specific emphasis on sustainable processes, those that are more intensive, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe.

This position is funded directly by IMT Mines Albi. A collaboration with the Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC) in Toulouse is planned.

MAIN MISSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

To date, fossil fuels remain widely used across various industrial sectors, most notably in transportation, and are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Synthetic fuels play a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of the transport sector, particularly with regard to the aviation sector. Among the research and development pathways currently being explored for the production of these synthetic fuels, the capture of CO2 followed by its direct hydrogenation, using hydrogen derived from the electrolysis of water powered by renewable electricity, represents a strategic approach. Key challenges of this approach include the optimization of production processes to minimize the cost of the final product, as well as the compatibility of synthetic fuels with existing infrastructure and vehicle fleets.

This project, which brings together two laboratories (RAPSODEE in Albi and LCC in Toulouse), aims to produce alternative fuels through the direct hydrogenation of CO2 via a CO2-based Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (CO2-FTS). The process consists of two successive stages: (i) the hydrogenation of CO2 into CO (the reverse water-gas shift, or RWGS, reaction), followed by (ii) the hydrogenation of CO into hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or FTS). Basing on recent research conducted by the two laboratories on this same topic, the project focuses on developing multifunctional catalytic systems capable of converting CO2 and H2 into liquid fuels in a single step, within a single reactor, and under unique temperature and pressure conditions. Particular attention will be paid to engineering the composition, structure, and environment of the active sites, with the goal of establishing structure-activity relationships and understanding the role of each metallic component in the various reaction stages. This strategy seeks to overcome the limitations of conventional catalysts by enhancing their activity, selectivity, stability, and resistance to deactivation. The project will thus contribute to the development of a new generation of multifunctional catalysts for the direct and sustainable valorization of CO2 into fuels and value-added chemical products.

The tasks are as follows:

•        State of the art: A literature review of the latest published work on this topic is planned, to supplement the work carried out in early 2026.

•        Synthesis and characterization of multifunctional catalysts: Bimetallic and multifunctional catalysts based on iron and/or cobalt will be developed for the direct conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons via the Fischer-Tropsch process. The objective is to obtain materials that exhibit a controlled synergy between different catalytic functions, simultaneously facilitating CO2 activation/hydrogenation, the formation of carbonaceous intermediates, and their selective transformation into hydrocarbon chains. Key parameters to be investigated include: the modification of catalytic supports using effective promoters; the control of the size, shape, and composition of the active phase; and the balancing of functions responsible for the activation of both CO2 and hydrogen. These materials will be characterized using a range of conventional and advanced characterization techniques.

•        Evaluation of catalytic systems for CO2-FTS: The synthesized catalysts will be evaluated at the laboratory scale. The performance of the best-performing catalysts may be evaluated at the pilot scale.

•        Valorization of results: The results obtained will be valorized in the form of patents and subsequently disseminated through scientific conferences and journals.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Travel between the two laboratories is expected. A category B driver's license (French) is an asset.

• For internal use:

Job category and reference profession: Category II, Profession R – Research engineer

   Reference business(ies) for agents eligible to apply: All categories

•  Position location: Albi (FRANCE)

• Application deadline: 11/19/2026

• Desired start date: 01/04/2027

• Remuneration: €35,400 gross annual

• The positions offered for recruitment are open to all with, upon request, accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

• Employment open to holders of category A in the public service and/or to contract persons

Contacts :

• Doan PHAM MINH – Professor (doan.phamminh@mines-albi.fr, 05 63 49 32 58)

• Laura OLIVIER – HR manager (laura.olivier@mines-albi.fr)

TRAINING AND SKILLS

Minimum required level of training and/or experience:

You hold a doctorate degree obtained less than 3 years ago.

Knowledge, softs skils and experience :

Strong expertise in heterogeneous catalysis, particularly for CO2 conversion, is sought.

Abilities and aptitudes :

Skills in synthesis, organization, and communication are also required to successfully carry out the duties of this position.