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Offer postdoc "Modifying the thermodynamic properties of salts through chemistry"
Publié le 3 novembre 2026 – Mis à jour le 3 novembre 2026
Introduction
Are you up for the challenge of altering the thermodynamic fingerprint of salts through chemistry? Are you eager to use these salts in model electrolytes ranging from dilute solutions all the way to ionic liquids? Join us as a postdoctoral researcher on the nationally funded ANR Jeune Chercheur (JCJC) project “Chemical origin of ENTRopy in Electrolytes” – CENTRE!
Job description
Within the framework of the CENTRE project, a PhD and a postdoc will be recruited to perform fundamental experimental physical chemistry research under the supervision of associate professor Dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst, within the Molecular Interactions and Thermodynamics group based at the Institute de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF) of the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA).
The CENTRE project is motivated by the concept of high-entropy electrolytes (HEEs), which are mixtures of four to ten commercial salts and solvents that strongly outperform single-salt electrolytes. The improved performance is attributed to an increased entropy upon mixing salts. However, the mixing entropy in HEEs has not been quantified experimentally and HEE development largely relies on trial and error.
The postdoctoral researcher will explore a new salt platform that provides control over the functionalisation and ion-size (mis)match in the pure salt and in model electrolytes. They will explore this platform via an active learning approach: select ions using a machine learning model trained on thermodynamic data, synthesise new salts, measure corresponding thermodynamic properties, improve the initial model using the new data. Together with the PhD candidate, they will test how functionalisation and ion-size (mis)match impacts the mixing thermodynamics. The associated work package of CENTRE is thus a combination of organic chemistry and fundamental physical chemistry and thermodynamics.
The postdoctoral researcher will closely collaborate with (inter)national partners within the CENTRE project and they will profit from the strong international network of their supervisor. They will publish their findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and share their findings on national and international research conferences. While the position is primarily research oriented, they will be encouraged to improve their teaching and supervision skills by assuming teaching tasks or co-supervising undergraduate students, as well as securing funding for future collaborations.
Job requirements
- A PhD degree (or an equivalent university degree) in chemistry or chemical engineering, with a preferred specialisation in organic chemistry. Previous experience in ionic liquid synthesis, experimental thermodynamics, or calorimetry is especially appreciated.
- An independent and research-oriented attitude with excellent experimental skills as attested by a strong publication record and communications at international conferences.
- Interest ranging from organic chemistry to fundamental thermodynamics.
- Strong motivation to work in a team, combining good organization and communication skills.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level or equivalent).
Employment conditions
- As a postdoctoral researcher you will be employed full-time for one year.
- The starting date is not fixed, but the position should preferably be filled before September 2027.
- Your monthly salary amounts 2860 euros before taxes (gross).
- You will profit from 49 paid holidays per year.
- Teaching hours are subject to a salary supplement.
The chemical research department of the Université Clermont Auvergne is the Institute of Chemistry Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF), a versatile research institute with six research groups: biocatalysis and metabolism, medicinal organic chemistry, materials for health, inorganic materials, photochemistry, and molecular interactions and thermodynamics. The postdoc will work in the latter but will have full access to the ICCF’s state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities (calorimetry, XRD, FTIR, Raman, electron microscopy, NMR, ICP, mass spectrometry, etc.). The ICCF has about 115 researchers with a permanent contract and 80 project-based researchers with a fixed-term contract (PhD, postdoc, etc.). Any teaching will be conducted at the separate chemistry faculty.
Information and contact
Are you enthusiastic about the position, but need more information before applying? Do not hesitate to contact the principal investigator of the CENTRE project, dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst by e-mail (adriaan.van_den_bruinhorst@uca.fr) or by telephone (+33 4 73 40 71 90).
Application
The application should include:
- A motivation letter describing your qualifications for the position.
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV), featuring peer-reviewed publications, communications at conferences, and the contact information of three academic references. We recommend notifying your references before submitting your application, as we may reach out to them at any stage of the recruitment process.
We look forward to your application and will evaluate them as soon as possible. A selection of shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a hiring committee headed by the dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.
Please send your application to Adriaan van den Bruinhorst using the contact information indicated above.
Are you up for the challenge of altering the thermodynamic fingerprint of salts through chemistry? Are you eager to use these salts in model electrolytes ranging from dilute solutions all the way to ionic liquids? Join us as a postdoctoral researcher on the nationally funded ANR Jeune Chercheur (JCJC) project “Chemical origin of ENTRopy in Electrolytes” – CENTRE!
Job description
Within the framework of the CENTRE project, a PhD and a postdoc will be recruited to perform fundamental experimental physical chemistry research under the supervision of associate professor Dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst, within the Molecular Interactions and Thermodynamics group based at the Institute de Chimie de Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF) of the Université Clermont Auvergne (UCA).
The CENTRE project is motivated by the concept of high-entropy electrolytes (HEEs), which are mixtures of four to ten commercial salts and solvents that strongly outperform single-salt electrolytes. The improved performance is attributed to an increased entropy upon mixing salts. However, the mixing entropy in HEEs has not been quantified experimentally and HEE development largely relies on trial and error.
The postdoctoral researcher will explore a new salt platform that provides control over the functionalisation and ion-size (mis)match in the pure salt and in model electrolytes. They will explore this platform via an active learning approach: select ions using a machine learning model trained on thermodynamic data, synthesise new salts, measure corresponding thermodynamic properties, improve the initial model using the new data. Together with the PhD candidate, they will test how functionalisation and ion-size (mis)match impacts the mixing thermodynamics. The associated work package of CENTRE is thus a combination of organic chemistry and fundamental physical chemistry and thermodynamics.
The postdoctoral researcher will closely collaborate with (inter)national partners within the CENTRE project and they will profit from the strong international network of their supervisor. They will publish their findings in leading peer-reviewed journals and share their findings on national and international research conferences. While the position is primarily research oriented, they will be encouraged to improve their teaching and supervision skills by assuming teaching tasks or co-supervising undergraduate students, as well as securing funding for future collaborations.
Job requirements
- A PhD degree (or an equivalent university degree) in chemistry or chemical engineering, with a preferred specialisation in organic chemistry. Previous experience in ionic liquid synthesis, experimental thermodynamics, or calorimetry is especially appreciated.
- An independent and research-oriented attitude with excellent experimental skills as attested by a strong publication record and communications at international conferences.
- Interest ranging from organic chemistry to fundamental thermodynamics.
- Strong motivation to work in a team, combining good organization and communication skills.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level or equivalent).
Employment conditions
- As a postdoctoral researcher you will be employed full-time for one year.
- The starting date is not fixed, but the position should preferably be filled before September 2027.
- Your monthly salary amounts 2860 euros before taxes (gross).
- You will profit from 49 paid holidays per year.
- Teaching hours are subject to a salary supplement.
The chemical research department of the Université Clermont Auvergne is the Institute of Chemistry Clermont-Ferrand (ICCF), a versatile research institute with six research groups: biocatalysis and metabolism, medicinal organic chemistry, materials for health, inorganic materials, photochemistry, and molecular interactions and thermodynamics. The postdoc will work in the latter but will have full access to the ICCF’s state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities (calorimetry, XRD, FTIR, Raman, electron microscopy, NMR, ICP, mass spectrometry, etc.). The ICCF has about 115 researchers with a permanent contract and 80 project-based researchers with a fixed-term contract (PhD, postdoc, etc.). Any teaching will be conducted at the separate chemistry faculty.
Information and contact
Are you enthusiastic about the position, but need more information before applying? Do not hesitate to contact the principal investigator of the CENTRE project, dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst by e-mail (adriaan.van_den_bruinhorst@uca.fr) or by telephone (+33 4 73 40 71 90).
Application
The application should include:
- A motivation letter describing your qualifications for the position.
- A Curriculum Vitae (CV), featuring peer-reviewed publications, communications at conferences, and the contact information of three academic references. We recommend notifying your references before submitting your application, as we may reach out to them at any stage of the recruitment process.
We look forward to your application and will evaluate them as soon as possible. A selection of shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a hiring committee headed by the dr. Adriaan van den Bruinhorst. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.
Please send your application to Adriaan van den Bruinhorst using the contact information indicated above.