Postdoctoral Researcher in the Design of Bimetallic and Multifunctional Catalysts for the Direct Conversion of CO2 into Liquid Fuels (M/F) – 11-month Fixed-Term Contract

JOB ENVIRONMENT:

As a school under the ministry in charge of industry, IMT Mines Albi is a school within the Mines-Télécom Institute, the leading group of engineering and management schools in France. At the forefront of industrial and academic challenges on the international stage, it acts as a territorial scientific and economic driver by combining its 4 missions - training engineers by integrating the dynamics of sustainable development, conducting scientific research, contributing to economic development, and disseminating the culture of science, technology, and innovation - in a virtuous and innovation-driving cycle.

Its positioning in training and research makes IMT Mines Albi a reference school for three of IMT's four themes: responsible industry of the future, energy, circular economy and society, and engineering, health, and well-being.

In 2023, IMT Mines Albi adopted a five-year strategic plan, broken down into 7 major actions, thus responding to the strategic orientations of the IMT group to which it belongs.

The activities of the RAPSODEE center are structured into two research groups in the fields of energy, environment, and particle engineering with a particular focus on sustainable processes: more intensive, more energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer.

The position is open within the internal funds of IMT Mines Albi. Collaboration with the Coordination Chemistry Laboratory (LCC) in Toulouse is planned.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Currently, fossil fuels are still widely used in various industrial sectors, particularly in transportation, which is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce the environmental impact of the transport sector, synthetic fuels play an important role, especially for the future of air transport. Among the R&D pathways studied to date for the production of these synthetic fuels, CO2 capture and direct hydrogenation of this CO2 using hydrogen obtained from water electrolysis with renewable electricity is a strategic pathway. Their major advantages lie in optimizing production to minimize the cost of the final product and ensuring the compatibility of synthetic fuels with existing infrastructure and fleets.

This project, which brings together two laboratories (RAPSODEE in Albi and LCC in Toulouse), aims to produce alternative fuels through direct CO2 hydrogenation via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis from CO2 (CO2-FTS). This process is broken down into two successive steps: (i) the hydrogenation of CO2 to CO (reverse water-gas shift reaction, or RWGS), followed by (ii) the hydrogenation of CO to hydrocarbons (Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, or FTS). This project continues the recent research between the two laboratories on the same subject, by developing multifunctional catalytic systems that ensure the conversion of CO2 and H2 into liquid fuels in a single step, in a single reactor, and under a single temperature and pressure condition. Particular attention will be paid to the engineering of the composition, structure, and environment of the active sites, in order to establish structure-activity relationships and to understand the role of each metallic component in the different reaction steps. This strategy aims to overcome the limitations of conventional catalysts by improving their activity, selectivity, stability, and resistance to deactivation. The project will thus contribute to the development of a new generation of multifunctional catalysts for the direct and sustainable valorization of CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals.

The missions are as follows:

• State of the Art: A literature review is planned on the latest published works on this subject, to complement the work carried out at the beginning of 2026.

• Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Catalysts: Iron and/or cobalt-based bimetallic and multifunctional catalysts for the direct conversion of CO2 into hydrocarbons via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis will be developed. The objective will be to obtain materials exhibiting controlled synergy between different catalytic functions, allowing for the simultaneous promotion of CO2 and H2 activation/hydrogenation, the formation of carbon intermediates, and their selective transformation into hydrocarbon chains. The parameters to be studied are: modification of catalytic supports by effective promoters; control of the size, shape, and composition of the active phase; control of the balance between functions for CO2 and hydrogen activation. These materials will be characterized by various conventional or advanced characterization methods.

• Evaluation of Catalytic Systems in CO2-FTS: The synthesized catalysts will be evaluated at the laboratory scale. The performance of the best catalysts may be evaluated at the pilot scale.

• Valorization of Results: The results obtained will be valorized in the form of patents and then communicated at conferences and in scientific journals.

CAPABILITIES AND ATTRIBUTES:

Desirable Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

Solid skills in heterogeneous catalysis, particularly for CO2 conversion, are sought.

Capacities and Aptitudes:

Synthesis, organization, and communication skills are also necessary to successfully carry out the missions of this position.

PROFILE SOUGHT:

You hold a doctorate obtained less than 3 years ago.

BEYOND THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WHY JOIN US?:

• Pleasant working environment on a 22-hectare campus

• 49 days of leave per year

• On-site administrative catering

• Sustainable mobility assistance for commuting

• Social benefits (supplementary social protection and family assistance)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Travel between the two laboratories is planned. A B driving license is a plus.

• Nature and duration of the contract: 11-month Fixed-Term Contract

• For internal use:

  Job category and reference profession: Category II, Profession R – Research Engineer

   Reference professions for applicants: All categories

•   Job location: Albi

• Application deadline: 19/11/2026

• Desired start date: 04/01/2027

• Salary: €35,400 gross annual

• The positions offered for recruitment are open to all, with, upon request, accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

• Position open to holders of Category A of the civil service and/or to contract employees

Contacts:

• Regarding the job content: Doan PHAM MINH – Professor (

• Regarding administrative/HR aspects: Laura OLIVIER – HR Manager (