PostDoc (M/F): Advanced microbalance to investigate the battery/electrolyte materials interface
Postdoc @French National Centre for Scientific Research posted 22 hours agoJob Description
General information
Job title: PostDoc (M/F): Advanced microbalance to investigate the battery/electrolyte materials interface
Reference: UMR8235-HUBPER0-002
Number of positions: 1
Work location: PARIS 05
Publication date: Friday, June 6, 2025
Type of contract: Researcher on fixed-term contract
Contract duration: 24 months
Expected hiring date: October 1, 2025
Workload: Full
Remuneration: Between €2,889.51 and €4,082.90 gross monthly depending on experience
Desired level of studies: Doctorate
Desired experience: 1 to 4 years
CN section(s): 14 – Coordination chemistry, catalysis and processes, interfaces
Missions
This postdoctoral position is part of the ANR DEEP-SENS project (Demystifying the Electrode/Electrolyte Interfaces via Operando Piezoelectric SENSing), which aims to develop a next-generation analytical tool for the study of electrode-electrolyte interfaces in rechargeable batteries. These interfaces play a key role in battery performance, stability, and lifetime, but remain difficult to characterize in real time.
DEEP-SENS addresses this challenge by harnessing the power of ac-electrogravimetry, a method based on QCM-type piezoelectric sensors coupled with electrochemical impedance measurements. The project particularly targets rechargeable batteries (lithium-ion, sodium-ion, etc.), in order to study fundamental phenomena such as the formation of SEI/CEI interfaces, ion (de)solvation at interfaces, interfacial ion transfer, as well as the mechanical properties of electrodes during charge/discharge cycles.
The goal is to provide a unique tool to better understand the structure and evolution of interfaces/interphases in batteries, and thus guide the design of more efficient and sustainable systems. Ultimately, the project will lead to the development of a high-resolution ac-electrogravimetry device, an innovative instrumentation entirely designed in France and intended for the electrochemistry community.
Activities
In this work, we aim to study the mechanical properties of electrodes during charge/discharge cycles, in parallel with the ionic insertion/deinsertion phenomena observed by electrogravimetric response. For this, we will implement a multi-step approach, combining the development of model electroactive materials, their physicochemical characterization, and the advanced exploitation of the ac-electrogravimetry with dissipation (ac-EQCM-D) method at different harmonics.
Task I: Development of model electroactive thin films, with tunable mechanical properties (Prussian Blue analogs, carbon-based films, PEDOT-type conducting polymer). Classical chemical, structural and morphological characterizations.
Task II: Characterization of ionic transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface by electrochemical (EIS) and classical electrogravimetric (ac-electrogravimetry) methods.
Task III: Implementation of ac-electrogravimetry with dissipation (ac-EQCM-D) measurements at different harmonics on the films developed in Task I and characterized in Task II.
Task IV: Analysis and modeling of the recorded electrogravimetric responses, in order to decompose the contributions related to ionic transport and mechanical changes of the electrodes.
Task V: Summary of the experiments and writing of scientific publications based on the results obtained.
SKILLS
– PhD in physical chemistry or materials science with skills in electrochemistry, practical experience in spectroscopic methods (i.e. electrochemical impedance) and QCM-based methods – Good experience in synthesis/characterization of materials developed in the context of electrochemical energy storage – The ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment and initiative – Excellent communication and organizational skills – Good command of oral and written English, French skills would be appreciated.
Work context
This PostDoctoral project is part of an ANR project entitled “Demystifying the Electrode/Electrolyte interfaces via operando Piezoelectric SENSing” (DEEP-SENS) which involves two laboratories and one company: the CSE – Solid State Chemistry and Energy Laboratory (Collège de France, Paris), the LISE – Electrochemical Interfaces and Systems Laboratory (Sorbonne University, Paris) and the company Biologic (Grenoble). The LISE laboratory is a joint research unit associating the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) and Sorbonne University (Jussieu campus, Paris), employing 40 people. The research areas of the “Interfaces and Electrochemical Systems” laboratory are corrosion and its inhibition, surface treatments, energy storage and conversion, to which have gradually been added issues related to the behavior of interfaces in natural environments. The main activities of the laboratory are: – the development of methods based on the concepts of electrochemical kinetics and the development of sophisticated instrumentation to apply them to electrode-electrolyte interfaces, – the development, modification, structural and/or chemical characterization of electrochemical interfaces and systems and the modeling of their electrochemical behaviors. The research structure is structured around 2 themes: (i) Theme 1. Durability of materials – Interfaces in natural/industrial environments and (ii) Theme 2. Reactivity of functional materials – Electrochemical devices. This project is part of the themes addressed in Theme 2 and is also correlated with advanced methods of investigation in electrochemistry.
Constraints and risks
Nothing
