Polymers derived from micro-algae: potential building blocks for the preparation of biomaterials

CEMEF is a research lab. of MINES ParisTech I PSL University associated with CNRS, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (Unité Mixte de Recherche CNRS, UMR7635).

Overall, our missions are research and training in collaboration with industry.

Our research focuses specifically on materials and their transformation processes in the broadest sense. It extends additionally to other fields such as fluid mechanics, biomechanics or HPC for instance. On the other hand, our training programmes offer post-graduate courses related to our scientific fields of expertise. Furthermore, we are attentive to the scientific needs of industry and we set up research projects with industrial companies.

Biomaterials made from natural polymers present several advantages over synthetic biomaterials, including intrinsic biocompatibility and reduced environmental impact. Micro-algae have emerged as an attractive source of natural polymers thanks to their rapid growth, environmental adaptability and bioactive properties.

The goal of this internship is the preparation of biomaterials using polymeric building blocks extracted from micro algae. The selected intern will initially work at CarbonWorks for a short period to extract polymers from micro-algae. Subsequently, the extracted polymers will be characterized at CEMEF (e.g. molecular weight, chemical composition, ...).

Efforts will then be made to transform the bio-based polymers into materials with potential biomedical use at CEMEF. The obtained biomaterials will be characterized for e.g. biomedical and material properties at CEMEF.

see more here :

https://www.cemef.minesparis.psl.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Internship-offer-CEMEF-CarbonWorks.pdf

Application: The position is for a student preparing Master degree.

Skills: background in polymer chemical physics (basics in polysaccharides is a plus), capability to work in group, fluent in English, motivation and sense of initiative and capability to report regularly on the work performed.

Stipend: about 700 €/month.

Location: CarbonWorks (located in Libourne, France, approximately 20 % of the time) and the Center for Materials Forming (CEMEF) of MINES Paris - PSL (located in Sophia Antipolis, France, approximately 80 % of the time).

Starting date: Autumn 2026 for a period of 6 months.

Application: Please send your CV, a cover letter, and a list of your study grades to Dr. Sijtze Buwalda: sijtze.buwalda@minesparis.psl.eu