Postdoctoral Position "Exploration of Novel Mixed-Anion Thermoelectric Materials"

Organisation/Company Université de Caen Normandie Research Field Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 2 Nov 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 CRISMAT Laboratory (CNRS / ENSICAEN / University of Caen Normandy) is seeking applications for a full-time postdoctoral researcher to join an ambitious research program dedicated to the discovery and development of mixed-anion thermoelectric materials.

The project is funded by the University of Caen Normandy (Caesar Program) and aims to explore innovative mixed-anion compounds with complex crystal structures for efficient thermal energy conversion.

Research Project

Thermoelectric materials directly convert heat into electricity and are attracting considerable interest for sustainable energy harvesting from industrial waste heat, automotive exhaust systems, and autonomous electronic devices. Recent studies have demonstrated that mixed-anion compounds constitute a particularly promising class of materials owing to their exceptional structural flexibility, which enables the independent tuning of electronic and phonon transport.

The successful candidate will investigate new mixed-anion compounds through an interdisciplinary approach combining:

• Solid-state synthesis and materials processing (sealed-tube synthesis, mechanical alloying, spark plasma sintering);
• Crystal structure determination and microstructural characterization (X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, spectroscopy);
• Measurement and analysis of electrical and thermal transport properties;
• Correlation between crystal chemistry, lattice dynamics, and thermoelectric performance.

Where to apply

E-mail emmanuel.guilmeau@ensicaen.fr

Requirements

Research Field Chemistry

Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The candidate should hold a PhD in Materials Science, Solid-State Chemistry, Solid-State Physics, or a closely related field and have experience in several of the following areas:

• Solid-state synthesis and powder processing;
• Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) or other consolidation techniques;
• Crystal structure analysis (X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement);
• Electron microscopy and/or spectroscopic characterization;
• Electrical and thermal transport measurements;
• Thermoelectric materials or functional inorganic materials.

Specific Requirements

Experience with complex chalcogenides, mixed-anion compounds, or crystallographic analysis would be considered an advantage.

Candidates should be highly motivated, capable of conducting independent research while working effectively within an international collaborative environment, and possess excellent written and spoken English.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

Selection process

Applications should include:

• A curriculum vitae;
• A cover letter describing research interests and relevant experience;
• Contact information for two referees (or two recommendation letters).

Additional comments

This job offer is in a sector covered by the Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PPST) scheme and therefore, in accordance with the regulations, your appointment must be authorised by the relevant authority at the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation (MESR).