Postdoctoral Researcher – Development of high value-added porous cellulosic materials derived from the paper industry

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Centre de recherche d'Albi en génie des procédés des solides divisés, de l'énergie et de l'environnement Research Field Engineering Chemistry Physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 16 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The project aims to develop and combine the results from two projects in the early phases of the PEPR's Paper and Board research area (PAC3R and Défi 2R), in order to produce porous materials with remarkable properties.
Two families of materials are currently being developed from paper/cardboard pulp using two distinct processes. The first involves the fabrication of aerogels – ultra-lightweight materials with a high specific surface area – developed at the RAPSODEE centre. The aim is to develop cellulosic aerogel-type materials reinforced with plant fibres sourced from the paper industry. Improvements are currently being made to increase the proportion of aerogel, with a view to achieving a hybrid material consisting of two interconnected continuous phases (aerogel and a network of plant fibres). The second process, based on 'physical foaming', is being developed by LGP2 and aims to produce an ultra- (and macro-)porous, cohesive fibrous structure by mechanically incorporating air into a formulated fibrous suspension (fibrous waste). A structure that is both cohesive and macroporous is obtained after drying and cross-linking.

The aim of this project is to develop a porous, bio-based aerogel/solid foam composite material, thereby combining the physical properties of each type of constituent obtained using the two approaches described below. The solid foam provides the mechanical reinforcement required for many applications; the aerogel, meanwhile, offers fine porosity (ranging from tens of nanometres to micrometres) and a high specific surface area, making it a promising material for thermal insulation applications, amongst others.

Conduct regular literature reviews

• Acquire the expertise required to process cellulose aerogel using the method developed at RAPSODEE Conduct regular literature reviews

• Propose and implement a protocol for assembling the two porous structures
• Investigate the influence of various process operating parameters on the texture and physical properties of the materials developed
• Present the results of the work at project progress meetings
• Promote the research work at conferences and in publications

As a school under the Ministry responsible for industry, IMT Mines Albi is part of the Institut Mines-Télécom, France's leading group of engineering and management schools. At the forefront of industrial and academic challenges on the international stage, it acts as a scientific and economic driving force for the region by combining its four missions – training engineers whilst incorporating the principles of sustainable development, conducting scientific research, contributing to economic development, and promoting a culture of science, technology and innovation – into a virtuous cycle that fosters innovation.
The post is to be filled within the RAPSODEE Training and Research Centre (Albi Research Centre for Process Engineering of Divided Solids, Energy and the Environment), a joint research unit with the CNRS. RAPSODEE aims to support industrial and societal change through more efficient, resource-efficient and sustainable processes, in order to address the global challenges of competitiveness and decarbonisation in industry and the craft sector.

• Scientific rigour
• Independence
• A keen interest in teamwork
• Fluency in English
• Scientific rigour
• Independence
• A keen interest in teamwork
• Fluency in English
• Holder of a PhD in materials science and engineering or process engineering
• A particular interest in experimental work
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Significant experience in the development and/or physico-chemical characterisation of polymeric materials
• Experience in the use of supercritical fluids is an advantage