Post-doctoral student to develop the measurement of the oxidizing potential of atmospheric aerosols collected on membranes or on-line 14-month fixed-term contract

CONTEXT:

School under the supervision of the Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and school of the Mines Telecom Institute, IMT Nord Europe has 3 main missions: training responsible engineers capable of solving the major problems of the 21st century ; conduct research leading to innovations with high added value; support regional development, particularly by facilitating innovation and business creation. Its objective is to train the engineers of tomorrow, mastering both digital technologies and industrial know-how. Ideally located at the crossroads of Europe, 1 hour from Paris, 30 minutes from Brussels and 1h30 from London, IMT Nord Europe aims to become a major player in the major industrial, digital and environmental transformations of the 21st century by combining, both in its teaching and in its research, engineering sciences and digital technologies.

Located on 2 main teaching and research sites, in Lille and Douai, IMT Nord Europe relies on more than 20,000m² of laboratory space to develop high-level teaching and research excellence in the following areas: Systems Digital, Energy Environment, Materials and Processes.

The position is to be filled within the Centre d'Enseignement, de Recherche et d'Innovation Energie Environnement (CERI EE) at ITM Nord Europe. Part of CERI EE's mission (https://recherche.imt-nord-europe.fr/energie-environnement-ceri/ ) is to carry out technical and scientific work for the French Ministry of the Environment, within the framework of the Laboratoire Central de Surveillance de la Qualité de l'Air (LCSQA, https://www.lcsqa.org/fr ) and the Observatoire de Mesure et Evaluation en zone Rurale de la pollution Atmosphérique à longue distance (MERA, https://www.lcsqa.org/fr/le-dispositif-mera ). In consultation with the French Air Quality Monitoring Associations (AASQA), CERI EE is responsible for proposing and qualifying the measurement methods to be deployed, defining protocols, assessing data quality and managing the MERA observatory, which is part of the French regulatory air quality monitoring system.

SCIENTIFIC BACKGROUND AND POST-DOCTORAL ASSIGNMENTS:

The impact of car traffic on the environment (tire and brake abrasion, exhaust emissions) induces significant emissions of iron-rich, highly magnetic particles and other potentially toxic heavy metals. Magnetic measurements are effective for determining the spatial distribution of pollution, as well as for identifying the various anthropogenic sources of heavy metal pollution. In Paris, urban trees offer an interesting alternative, complementing the reference air quality monitoring stations, as passive bio-collectors (plane tree bark). Exposed throughout the year to urban dust, they can record air quality signals locally and at a density that is often high on the same traffic axis. The aim of the CARNOT CARINGS NanoTracs project "Tracing fine airborne particles using passive bio-collectors: the link between urban environmental exposure and impact on human health" is to be able to correlate a particulate pollution level at a specific location in the city with a potential health risk. Among the methods for characterizing a potential health risk, the measurement of the oxidizing potential (OP) of atmospheric particles seems promising, and is the subject of much ongoing research. Its aim is to characterize the oxidative reactivity of particles, and thereby indicate any health impact linked to oxidative stress. Its application to particles collected by passive bio-collectors and to airborne particles requires original experimental developments. Ultimately, these developments could complement air quality monitoring methods and help prevent exposure to atmospheric pollution. The proposed study is of a multidisciplinary nature, at the interface between chemistry and biology.

In liaison with the CERI EE functional manager, the candidate will be responsible for:

• Development/optimization and experimental implementation of oxidizing potential (OP) measurement on particles collected from tree bark or by on-line measurements. Define and validate a protocol for extracting, storing and analyzing oxidizing species using different OP techniques (e.g. AA, DTT). Link these PO measurements with physicochemical analyses and compare them with toxicological analyses performed on lung cells. Interface with the multidisciplinary teams of the CARNOT CARINGS NanoTracs project (ENS Mines Paris and Ecole des Mines St. Etienne). The candidate will also help supervise the physicochemical analyses of the PhD student already recruited on the project.
• Contribute to the statistical exploitation of OP measurement data, physicochemical analyses and associated metadata.
• Contribute to the scientific valorization of data from the CARNOT program in the form of articles in peer-reviewed journals and oral communications at conferences in the field. It will also be necessary to communicate the results and ensure the transfer of skills in the methods developed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE: (PREREQUISITES/ DIPLOMA)

The candidate must hold a PhD in analytical and/or environmental chemistry. Experience in ICP-MS, statistical data processing and project management will be appreciated. The candidate must be scientifically and technically open-minded, enabling him/her to work effectively on multidisciplinary projects. He/she will be specialized in at least one of the following fields:

• Physicochemical analysis applied to the environment;
• Instrumentation, measurement and quality applied to the environment.

CONDITIONS :

The position is available from September 1, 2024.

Tasks will be carried out mainly on the IMT Nord Europe Bourseul Campus in Douai (France).

The duration of the contract is a 14-month fixed-term contract.

Travel maybe required.

Possibility of partial teleworking (maximum of 2 days per week, adjustable according to service requirements).

Many days of leave.

Collective catering available.

Public transport to and from work covered (50%).

Sustainable mobility package (for carpooling or cycling).

Family supplement depending on family structure.

Large range of social benefits.

INFORMATION AND CONDITIONS FOR THE APPLICATION:

- For any information on the position, details of the missions or for a prior visit, please contact:

Laurent ALLEMAN (CERI EE), laurent.alleman@imt-nord-europe.fr, 03 27 71 26 24

- For any administrative information, please contact the Human Resources Department:

jobs@imt-nord-europe.fr

- Furthermore, the position can be adapted for a person with a disability.

Application files must include:

- A letter of application,

- A curriculum vitae detailing teaching activities, research work and publications/communications,

- Letters of recommendation,

- Copy of the doctoral diploma (or PhD),

- A copy of an identity document

To apply, please connect to our recruitment platform via the following link Submission URL:

https://institutminestelecom.recruitee.com/o/post-doctorantepost-doctorant-pour-le-developpement-de-la-mesure-du-potentiel-oxydant-des-aerosols-atmospheriques-collectes-sur-membrane-ou-en-ligne-en-cdd-de-14-mois-a-imt-nord-europe

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 30, 2024