Post-doc (M/F) - Fluorine Free Polyurethane Foams - Industrial Collaboration

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire de chimie des polymères organiques Research Field Chemistry Physics » Chemical physics Physics » Biophysics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 23 Sep 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

Polyurethane (PU) foams expanded using fluorinated gases have long been valued for their unique combination of low density, controlled cellular structure, and excellent thermal insulation properties. These characteristics make them indispensable materials for applications ranging from building insulation to demanding industrial environments, particularly under cryogenic conditions. They are widely used for the insulation of liquefied gas tanks (methane, hydrogen, oxygen), thereby playing a crucial role in the energy and transport sectors.
However, fluorinated blowing agents raise significant environmental concerns, particularly due to their high global warming potential. As members of the per
- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family, they are now subject to strict European regulations, which threaten their use in the near future.
In this context, the development of fluorine-free alternative PU foams is a priority. The challenge is to design new formulations that retain the key advantages of current cryogenic PU foams, including controlled cellular structure, good dimensional stability, and high thermomechanical performance at very low temperatures, while remaining compatible with existing industrial processing methods (casting, spraying, high-pressure foaming machines, etc.).
The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for developing novel polyurethane foams for cryogenic thermal insulation using non-fluorinated blowing agents. These agents have specific physicochemical properties (e.g., boiling point, polarity) that strongly influence foam formation and processing.

The research will aim to: (i) establish clear relationships between the properties of the blowing agents and the characteristics of the resulting foams (cell morphology, thermomechanical performance, substrate adhesion, etc.); (ii) evaluate the performance of the new formulations at the laboratory scale under conditions simulating industrial processing methods (spraying, casting, high-pressure foaming).

This postdoctoral position will be carried out at the LCPO (Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, UMR 5629), a joint research unit under the supervision of the CNRS, the University of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux INP. With around 150 members organized into four research teams, LCPO is a leading research laboratory in the field of polymer science, covering areas including polymer synthesis and polymerization engineering, bio-based polymers and biopolymers, polymer self-assembly and physical chemistry, and the development of polymeric materials for applications in energy, electronics, and life sciences.
The project will be conducted in collaboration with ArianeGroup, a major player in the aerospace and space sectors, and GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz), a world-leading company specializing in cryogenic containment and transportation technologies for liquefied natural gas. This collaboration provides a stimulating environment at the interface between academic research and industrial innovation, focusing on the development of materials that meet particularly demanding performance requirements.
The project is part of the ANR Industrial Chair SPACE-MAT Sustainable Polymers for Advanced Materials in Aerospace and Transport, established in 2025. The chair aims to develop sustainable, high-performance materials for strategic applications in the aerospace and maritime transport sectors. Its research activities include the development of foams for cryogenic insulation and bio-based resins for advanced composite materials. SPACE-MAT combines fundamental research with technological development, with the ambition of addressing performance, environmental impact reduction, and material safety challenges simultaneously.
Within this framework, three major challenges have been identified: developing polyurethane foams for cryogenic insulation with a reduced carbon footprint, designing safer materials based on feedstocks that are more respectful of human health and the environment, and ensuring the availability of high-performance materials for strategic industrial sectors.

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher holding a PhD in Chemistry and/or Polymer Physical Chemistry. Prior experience in the field of polyurethane foams will be con