Postdoc position offer:
« Biodegradable building blocks for advanced functional materials »
Job location: Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (UMR 5253) in the department of Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials (https://www.icgm.fr), 1919 route de Mende, 34000 Montpellier, France
Duration: 1 year, starting Nov-Dec 2021
Application deadline: November 5th, 2021
Context
Green chemistry and materials that are respectful of the environment is a topic of intense interest that continues to grow in both academia and industry. This is due to an increasing public and institutional awareness and concern related to the release of non-degradable or toxic waste such as endocrine disruptors or microplastics into the nature. This is one reason why many industries are moving from classic polymer chemistry toward more greener and biodegradable polymer systems. In this context the development of building blocks enabling the synthesis of new biodegradable functional polymers is key. This is especially true for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other applications such as consumer products where restrictions concerning the use of “microplastics” are expected to come into force over the coming years.
Currently, the development of microplastic-free solutions is limited by the number of available materials, and is often limited to the modification of existing natural materials. A leading company active in the consumer product area, in collaboration with the Department of MacroMolecular Chemistry and Materials (C3M) of ICGM, wishes to explore new promising building blocks and their polymerization to create new functional materials by cross-linking of bio-based compounds[1].
[1] Mather BD, Viswanathan K, Miller KM, Long TE. Michael addition reactions in macromolecular design for emerging technologies. Progress in Polymer Science. 2006;31:487-531.
Aim of the project
The first objective of this scientific program will be to identify and synthesize bio-based compounds able to be involved in crosslinking reactions. The second objective will be to study the polymerization and/or cross linking of identified compounds, either in bulk or in solution, and to evaluate their biodegradability. Any materials of interest may be evaluated further by the industrial partner.
Work of the recruited Postdoc: Bibliographic study on crosslinking reactions and establishment of a list of biodegradable and biosourced building blocks that could be employed during the project. Synthesis and characterization of bio-based multi-functional precursors for crosslinking reactions. Characterization of polymerization reactions and adjustment of building blocks characteristics to adapt industrial constraints. Production of biodegradable thermosets and study of their physico-chemical properties and biodegradability.
Profile
PhD in polymer chemistry, strong skills in organic chemistry, communication & leadership skills, motivated, curious, autonomous.
Contact
CV, motivation letter and recommendation letters to be addressed to Dr. Julien Pinaud (julien.pinaud@umontpellier.fr) by replying to the job offer UMR5253-JULPIN-004 on https://emploi.cnrs.fr/.