Researcher in in Electrocatalysis & Nanomaterial Structural Dynamics - LEPMI
Organisation/Company Grenoble INP - Institute of Engineering Department Engineering Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 10 Aug 2026 - 20:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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
LEPMI (CNRS/Grenoble INP/UGA) is a leading laboratory in electrochemistry and energy materials, with a team of 150, including 50 researchers and lecturers. Institut Néel (CNRS), based in Grenoble, is a leading laboratory in condensed matter physics, with a staff of 450, including 175 researchersand lecturers. The MEM laboratory (CEA Grenoble) conducts research on the exploration of materials and devices using advanced simulation methods and experimental characterization techniques. The proposed research position will bridge the expertise of Prof. Maria Diaz Lopez’s group, specializing in X-ray diffraction and related analyses (Rietveld refinement and PDF analysis), of Dr. Marie-Ingrid Richard’s group at CEA Grenoble, experts in Bragg Coherent DiffractionImaging (BCDI) and of Dr. Frédéric Maillard group at LEPMI, which is spcialized in electrocatalysis.The researcher will investigate cathodic embrittlement, a poorly understood phenomenon that can fragment metals (e.g., Pt, Au, Ni) in reducing environments, compromising their electrocatalytic performance in fuel cells and electrolysers.
Main goals:
- Unravel the atomic-scale mechanisms of cathodic embrittlement, including the individual or combined effects of electric fields, hydride formation, and alkali cations.
- Correlate structural disorder (strain, defects, amorphization) with electrocatalytic activity for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and CO2 Reduction Reaction (CO2RR).
- Develop mitigation strategies or transform embrittlement into a green synthesis route for advanced nanocatalysts.
Missions and activities:
- Synthesize model metal micro/nanoparticles (Pt, Ag, Au, Cu, Ni) with controlled size and structure
Characterize nanocatalysts using a combination of techniques, including:
- electrochemistry (HER/CO2 RR activity tests (RDE, GDE)
- on-line ICP-MS for metal dissolution analysis)
advanced X-ray scattering: Total scattering, Pair Distribution Function (PDF), and Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging (at Institut Néel and ESRF)
- (Identical-Location) Transmission Electron Microscopy
- Analyze multiscale data to connect local atomic disorder with mesoscale degradation (e.g., particle fragmentation)
- Collaborate with the group of Prof. Mathias Vandichel, University of Limerick, for DFT activities
Requirements
Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The ideal candidate for this position should hold a PhD degree in Electrochemistry, Chemical or Materials Engineering and expertise in X-ray scattering (PDF, BCDI or WAXS) or electron microscopy (HR-TEM).
Core competencies:
- electrochemical techniques, materials synthesis, and state-of- art lab-based and synchrotron-based characterization methods
- design, assembly and testing of single electrolyzer cells
- strong scientific publication history
- track record as innovative and creative thinkers with outstanding verbal and written communication skills
- high-spirited, ambitious team player with deadline-oriented project management skills