Supervisors: Emmanuel Oheix

Keywords: inorganic chemistry – material science – porous materials – synthesis – screening – structural characterization – adsorption

Offer description: The “Controlled Porosity Materials” (MPC) team from the “Materials Science Institute of Mulhouse” seeks a highly motivated early career researcher (PhD, post-doc) to submit an application to the European or Global Postdoctoral Fellowship. The team has a longstanding and recognized expertise in the preparation and structural characterization of novel porous materials (notably zeolite, mesoporous silica and Metal-Organic Frameworks). Prospective candidate will be deeply involved in the proposition of the research project and will be assisted by the permanent staff from the team.

A proposed research topic concerns the development of new zeolitic phase materials, which is a cutting-edge topic in materials science. Since 2021, the discovery of thermally and hydrothermally stable silicic- and aluminosilicic materials with extra-large pores (> 1 nm) featuring 1D- and 3D- connectivity has opened the gate to novel applications in the fields of catalysis, purification and decontamination. This was made possible thanks to the development of three-dimensional electron microscopy (3D ED) to elucidate the structure of crystalline materials with sub-micrometric particle sizes and large crystal lattices. The discovery of novel zeolitic materials relies on the design of novel organic structure directing agent (OSDA) coupled with the testing of different reaction mixture composition and hydrothermal treatments.

The team MPC from IS2M is fully equipped for hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis (autoclave, oven, microwave reactors) and can take advantage of the IS2M analytical platform including notably X-ray diffraction, solid-state NMR, N2 and Ar adsorption manometry, thermogravimetry, electron microscopy (SEM and TEM coupled to EDX). Moreover, the institute is equipped with an additional TEM to perform 3D ED  and has access to the MatLight 4.0 platform, which include a system for high-throughput preparation of reaction mixtures for the development of novel porous materials.

Who can apply?

Researchers of any nationality who:

• Have completed a PhD or will complete it at the date of the call deadline (September 2026).
• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research at the time of the call deadline.
• Have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline.

Beware that applicants who have applied to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2025 call and received an evaluation below 80% are not eligible for an application in 2026.

How to apply?

We encourage all motivated and eligible postdoctoral researchers to send their expressions of interest to the supervisor’s e-mail address.

Your application shall include:

• a CV (5 pages max)
• a cover letter outlining your research background and its synergies with the supervisor’s field and/or the proposed research topic.

Estimated timetable: 

• Submission deadline : 9th September 2026