The LCS, host laboratory for an Operando Junior Professorship: Operando analysis coupled with catalytic processes M/W

CNRS opens a Tenure Track Position devoted to “Operando analysis coupled with catalytic processes”.

(Details below and at :

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CPJ/CPJ-2022-024/Default.aspx?Lang=EN )

Consider LCS as a host laboratory.

General information

scientific topic

Chemical catalysis is the best solution today to increase the economy of reactions, both in terms of atoms and energy. It is now possible to optimize the efficiency of the processes by continuously monitoring the transformations via operando analyses that make the reactions robust and industrially usable. These are mostly based on spectroscopic (analytical) methods adapted to flow measurements.

Establishment strategy

This theme, which is explicitly mentioned in the CNRS’s Contrat Objectif-Performance (§ 2-1-1, “Thematic priorities”), receives little academic attention in France and must be supported. The creation of a CNRS Junior Professor Chair in an INC laboratory in 2022 would allow us to strengthen this key sector of French chemistry as soon as possible.

Strategy of the host laboratory/laboratories

Five laboratories are proposed to host the laureate : – Laboratoire de Catalyse et Spectrochimie (LCS, UMR6506 CNRS-ENSICAEN-Univ. Caen) – Institut de Recherche sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement de Caen (IRCELYON, UMR5256, CNRS-Univ. Lyon 1) – Unité de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide (UCCS, UMR8181, CNRS-Univ. Artois-Univ Lille-Centrale Lille) – Chimie Et Interdisciplinarité : Synthèse, Analyse, Modélisation (CEISAM, UMR6230 CNRS-Univ. Nantes) – Chimie Organique et Bioorganique : Réactivité et Analyse (COBRA, UMR6014 CNRS-INSA ROUEN- Univ. Rouen) These five high-level laboratories have the experience and the capacity to develop this theme and can accommodate the laureate.

Summary of the scientific project

Catalysis plays a key role in chemical processes, some of which are very energy intensive. The choice of the catalyst and the catalysis conditions are relevant parameters to find the best conditions and to control the energy consumption of a given process. Operando observation allows a better selection of the catalyst and the physico-chemical conditions. It is therefore important to invest in this research which allows, through real time observation, to optimize chemical reactions and catalytic efficiency. The operando analysis can be conceived through various analytical and spectroscopic techniques, which can be found in the selected laboratories.

Summary of the teaching project

Contribution in particular to the teaching of chemical kinetics, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis

Scientific diffusion

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software… In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

Open science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results “as accessible as possible and closed as necessary”. As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its units accessible, in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher’s profession.

science and society

The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors of the socio-economic and cultural eco-system of the project.

Indicators

The activity will be evaluated on the basis of scientific production (publications, software, patents, etc.), on institutional and private partnerships formalized by contracts, on international influence, on the valorization of work towards multidisciplinary scientific communities, on innovation and its transfer to society and on scientific dissemination to non-specialist audiences.

Keywords

Catalysis, analysis, analytical and spectroscopic techniques, homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis