Electrochemical Researcher for H2 Sustainable Technologies

Overview

Aperam is a global leader in stainless, electrical, and specialty steels, as well as recycling and renewables, serving customers in over 40 countries. Our business is structured into four segments: Stainless & Electrical Steel, Services & Solutions, Alloys & Specialties, and Recycling & Renewables. We have a flat stainless and electrical steel production capacity of 2.5 million tonnes in Brazil and Europe, and we lead in alloys and high-value specialty products. Our industrial network includes 16 production facilities across Brazil, Belgium, France, the United States, India, and China. Aperam operates an integrated distribution, processing, and services network, with a unique ability to produce low-carbon stainless and specialty steels using biomass, stainless steel scrap, and high-performance alloys scrap. Through BioEnergia, we produce charcoal from our own FSC-certified forests, and with ELG - Aperam Recycling, a global leader in stainless steel and high-performance alloys recycling, we place sustainability at the core of our business, enabling our customers to thrive in the circular economy. Join us and be part of a dynamic team where technology and innovation meets industrial transformation. Your talent and energy will help drive smarter, more sustainable solutions for a global company committed to be a leading value creator in the circular economy of infinite, world-changing materials. Visit learn more - and let’s build what’s next, together.

Context

The Isbergues Research Center is the laboratory dedicated to the study of stainless steels for the European manufacturing plants of the APERAM group. It employs approximately 70 people whose activity consists of defining, industrializing, and supporting the commercial development of new stainless steels. As such, it is APERAM’s reference Research Center for stainless steel metallurgy, in-use properties, and flat product manufacturing processes. The Solutions team is responsible for providing scientific expertise to the sales team to understand the technical requirements of various markets. The team of application engineers and technicians focuses on the usage properties of the various stainless steel grades offered by APERAM and the development of future market solutions. In addition to traditional stainless steel markets, mobility, energy, and recycling are addressed as high-priority strategic programs for the company. Research programs involve internal resources and facilities but also require building strong relationships with our various partners (customers, end-users, technical institutes, universities).

Missions

Attached to the Solutions team, your role is to provide high-level scientific expertise to validate the durability of steels and their coatings.

• EIS Modeling: Master Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to differentiate physical phenomena at interfaces (charge transfer resistance, double-layer capacitance, etc.).
• Coating Characterization: Evaluate the integrity and porosity of protective coatings via EIS and voltammetry to guarantee optimal long-term corrosion protection.
• New Energy Research: Develop specific testing protocols (accelerated aging tests) for alkaline electrolyzers and CCUS systems, where pH and pressure conditions drastically influence electrochemical thermodynamics.
• Corrosion Mechanisms: Identify failure modes (general, crevice, pitting corrosion, etc.) by coupling electrochemical measurements with advanced surface analyses such as SEM, XPS, or Raman spectroscopy.
• Materials Innovation: Propose improvements to steel grades and surface treatments to minimize Interfacial Contact Resistance (ICR) while maximizing chemical resistance.
• Watch and Academia: Lead theses and external collaborations to remain at the forefront of experimental methodologies in electrochemistry.

Profile

Technical Background and Skills:

• PhD in electrochemistry, materials science, or chemical sciences.
• Imperative expertise in corrosion and current practice of EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy).
• Solid knowledge of interface physical chemistry and coating processes.
• Mastery of microstructural characterization (SEM, XPS, Auger, Raman).
• Experience with bipolar plates, electrodes, or electrochemical devices (electrolyzers) is a significant plus.

Aptitudes

Aptitudes:

• Ability to manipulate and model complex data (tools such as Origin, EC-Lab, ZView).
• Agile mindset to adapt to rapid changes in energy markets.
• Proficiency in French and technical English.
• Strict adherence to laboratory safety protocols.