Postdoc – Modelling and simulation of atomic, nanostructure, phases transition and surface characteristics of graphitic biomass-derived biocarbon (biochar) produced at high temperature - Temporary contract 18 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 position is based within the RAPSODEE Center (Research of Albi in Process Engineering of Divided Solids, Energy and Environment), a CNRS joint research unit dedicated to processes, materials, and sustainable. energies.

The Postdoc work will be supervised by Prof. Ange Nzihou and co-supervised by a colleague from Princeton University (USA).

MAIN MISSIONS AND ACTIVITIES

This work is part of an ERC (European Research Council) Advanced Grant project. The ERC is a European funding organisation that supports groundbreaking research projects through very competitive grants, as part of the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.

The ERC project aims at evaluating the storage capacity of innovative biocarbon composites, a sustainable family of advanced biomass-based carbon materials to store energy in various environments as opposed to most of the current solutions relaying on fossil fuel-based or on non-sustainable materials. This should translate into remarkable CO2 emissions reduction and energy savings. The work will be carried out in an international environment with regular visits to partners laboratories in France, the USA and in India.

Ongoing studies are focused on the selection of biomass feedstocks, their characterisation, their pyrolysis and graphitization to produce biocarbon composites as well as on their thermophysical and thermoelectrical properties and storage performances.

This postdoc project aims at elucidating the fundamental mechanisms governing the thermal transformation of biocarbon into graphitic carbon. Focus will be on the atomic- and nanoscale understanding of thermodynamic and kinetic phenomena during the formation of biomass-derived carbon materials. This includes phase nucleation and growth; dissolution, diffusion and precipitation of species; phase separation; evolution of carbon structural ordering during heat treatment; mechanical properties such as phase stability, degree of interstitial diffusion of atoms, surfaces/sites energy and conductivity.

The candidate is expected to employ and develop advanced simulation techniques, including but not limited to Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations; Molecular Dynamics (MD), including reactive force fields (e.g., ReaxFF); Monte Carlo methods (e.g., kinetic Monte Carlo, thermodynamic sampling). Experience with machine learning in materials science, such as Machine learning interatomic potentials; Data-driven modelling of materials properties; familiarity with multiscale modelling approaches would be much appreciated.

TRAINING AND SKILLS

Minimum required level of training and/or experience:

PhD obtained less than 3 years ago: in chemical engineering, materials science, physics, physical chemistry, or a related field.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Strong background in computational materials science
• Experience with at least two of the following: DFT calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, or modelling
• Knowledge of phase transformations, diffusion, or nucleation and growth processes
• Good programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, or similar)

Abilities and aptitudes

• Scientific rigor, analytical and synthesis skills
• Autonomy and initiative
• Good written and oral communication skills in English

BEYOND THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WHY JOIN US?

• Pleasant working environment on a 22-hectare campus
• 49 days of leave
• On-site staff catering
• Support for sustainable commuting between home and work
• Social benefits (supplementary social protection and family assistance)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

·       Nature and duration of the contract: Fixed-term contract (CDD) – 18 months

·       For internal use:

Position category and reference job: P – Postdoc

Reference job(s) for applicants: All categories

·       Position based at IMT Mines Albi and in partner laboratories in the United States with research visits to international partner’s laboratories (USA, India, France)Application deadline: May 29, 2026

·       The positions offered are open to everyone, with accommodations available upon request for applicants with disabilities.

·       Required documents: CV, cover letter, and 1 or 2 letters of recommendation, as well as a copy of your PhD diploma obtained less than 3 years ago.

Contacts:

·       Regarding the position content: Auriane AGARD (auriane.agard@mines-albi.fr)

·       Regarding administrative/HR matters: Laura OLIVIER (laura.olivier@mines-albi.fr)