Associate Professor in molecular modelling of materials

Job description

Thematic and research challenges

The nuclear energy industry is currently facing several challenges that it must resolve if it wishes to guarantee the availability of its fleet and to resolve the delicate issue of nuclear waste treatment. These challenges are especially important as the scientific and technological solutions that may be provided in the near future will be decisive for the industry.

The solution of burying nuclear wastes offers undeniable advantages, but requires an understanding of several complex physical and chemical processes (sorption, retention, corrosion, etc.) related to the materials constituting the various containment barriers. The problem of the behavior of materials under irradiation is also a central issue for the safety of nuclear reactors. Molecular modeling has recently allowed considerable progress in this area. Combined with experimental studies, it allows a better understanding of the fine mechanisms and the calculation of certain constants characterizing the slow evolution of materials under irradiation, which are beyond the reach of experiments.

The candidate is expected to strengthen the molecular modeling pole of the Subatech laboratory, which is very dynamic and has acquired a worldwide reputation, to work on these historical themes but also to develop methods in several other related fields of environmental/process engineering, such as the fate of industrial and agricultural contaminants in soil, groundwater and air, geological sequestration of carbon dioxide, ... He/she will work in a very stimulating interdisciplinary context and within collaborations with major academic and industrial actors (ANDRA, ORANO, EDF, CEA...).

Eco-system and context

, internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading technological university under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technologies, ranked in the three main international rankings (THE, SHANGHAI, QS).

The position is open on the campus of Nantes within the in the radiochemistry team.

IMT Atlantique has privileged relationships with major industrial national and international partners, as well as a dense network of SMEs, start-ups, and innovation networks. With 290 permanent faculty members, 2000 students among which 300 PhD students, IMT Atlantique produces 1000 publications every year and raises 18M€ of research funding.

The laboratory of SUBAtomic Physics and Associated TECHnologies (Subatech) is a UMR under triple supervision: IMT through its school, IMT Atlantique (host of the UMR), Nantes University and the CNRS with IN2P3 as the main research institute. Subatech carries out fundamental and applied research classified according to the 4 thematic axes of the laboratory: the two infinities; nuclear for energy and the environment; nuclear for health; associated technologies, in close collaboration with socio-economic partners.

Education

The has been recognized as amongst the most innovative in French High Education and Research and offers large possibilities of developing innovative engineering curriculum and educational approach.

The candidate will contribute to various training courses (engineer, master), both in his speciality molecular modelling of materials and in core courses or transversal activities linked to the socio-economic world: tutoring of projects/internships, defenses, coaching, etc. He will be invited to propose new projects, programs and related pedagogical methodologies, particularly inspired and supported by public or private partnerships. The person recruited may be required to teach in French or English.

He will be more specifically encouraged to get involved in teaching and projects related to "energy and the environment" at the level of general or specialized courses, as well as in the framework of the master's degrees offered by Subatech, such as the Fundamental Physics and