Postdoctoral Researcher Bio-inspired biocomposites based on secondary plant cell walls: manufacturing processes and mechanical properties - 24-month fixed-term contract - IMT Mines Alès

Come join IMT Mines Alès, a prestigious “grande école” ranked among the top engineering schools both nationally and globally, located in Alès—a welcoming, livable city and the capital of the Cévennes region, where residents highly value the quality of life.

Founded in 1843, IMT Mines Alès currently has 1,400 students (including 250 international students) and 380 staff members. The school has three high-level scientific and technological research and teaching centers, working in the fields of materials and civil engineering (C2MA), the environment and risk management (CREER), and artificial intelligence and industrial and digital engineering (CERIS). It operates 12 technology platforms and has 1,600 partner companies. For more information: https://www.imt-mines-ales.fr

You will be affiliated with the Centre for Materials of Mines Alès (C2MA) at IMT Mines Alès and the PCH and DMS research unit.

This work is part of the French PEPR Bioproductions project WALLMAT.

Your responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of nanostructured bio-based materials inspired by the hierarchical architecture of plant secondary cell walls ;

• Design and optimise sustainable manufacturing processes for the production of nanostructured materials ;

• Establish relationships between structure, manufacturing process and properties ;

• In-depth characterisation of the materials obtained, with a particular focus on mechanical properties, notably through tensile, flexural and dynamic mechanical analyses.

You can find more information in the job description below:

https://partage.imt.fr/index.php/s/64tWafK6twR74yN

Minimum required education and/or experience :

• PhD in materials science, polymer engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field

• Have experience in materials processing and mechanical characterization.

Required technical and transversal skills :

• Expertise in polymer processing technologies including 3D printing

• Skills in microstructural analysis and mechanical modelling

• Knowledge in plant biology and/or plant biomechanics

Additional information:

24-month fixed-term contract under public law - Position open to civil servants and contract employees

Information for internal use intended for staff on the IMT Management Framework:

Reference job category: II - P

This position is open to all. IMT Mines Alès is committed to providing the necessary accommodations for people with disabilities to ensure an inclusive and accessible work environment.

Salary: €35,400 gross per year.

Application deadline: October 4, 2026

Estimated date of the selection committee meeting: October 20, 2026

Desired start date: January 4, 2027

We strongly recommend contacting the individuals listed below under the “Job Description” section

Contacts:

Regarding the job description:

Nicolas LE MOIGNE, Assistant lecturer

For administrative matters:

Géraldine BRUNEL, Director of Human Resources

So join us and enjoy these many benefits:

• Generous vacation time

• On-site dining

• 75% of public transportation costs covered

• Sustainable mobility allowance for carpooling or biking

• Stimulating innovation ecosystem (startups, students, research, companies...)

• Ideal environment for pursuing your passions (sea/mountains nearby)