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CNRS
Ph.D. student in radiochemistry studying the chemistry of protactinium in aqueous solution (M/F))
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A Chemist studies the chemical and physical properties of substances or materials, focusing in one of many specialized areas. May work to develop new products or chemical processes.
$97,252 / year median in Florida
+3% projected growth
Job Description
14 Jul 2026 Job Information Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire de physique des 2 infinis - Irène Joliot-Curie Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 3 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description The Irène Joliot-Curie Physics Laboratory of 2 Infinities (IJCLab) is a UMR under the supervision of the CNRS (IN2P3), the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris is located on the campus of the University of Paris -Saclay in Orsay. The laboratory is located on the campus of the Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay. The campus is located 20 km south of Paris and easily accessible by RER in 35 minutes.
IJCLab was born in 2020 from the merger of five units (CSNSM, IMNC, IPN, LAL, LPT). The staff is made up of nearly 560 permanent (340 engineers, technicians and administrators and 220 researchers and teacher-researchers) and approximately 200 non-permanent including 120 doctoral students. The research themes of the laboratory are nuclear physics, high energy physics, theoretical physics, astroparticles, astrophysics and cosmology, particle accelerators, energy and the environment and health. IJCLab has very significant technical capacities (around 280 IT) in all the major fields required to design, develop / implement the experimental devices necessary for its scientific activity, as well as the design, development and use of instruments. The PhD student will work in the
IJCLab was born in 2020 from the merger of five units (CSNSM, IMNC, IPN, LAL, LPT). The staff is made up of nearly 560 permanent (340 engineers, technicians and administrators and 220 researchers and teacher-researchers) and approximately 200 non-permanent including 120 doctoral students. The research themes of the laboratory are nuclear physics, high energy physics, theoretical physics, astroparticles, astrophysics and cosmology, particle accelerators, energy and the environment and health. IJCLab has very significant technical capacities (around 280 IT) in all the major fields required to design, develop / implement the experimental devices necessary for its scientific activity, as well as the design, development and use of instruments. The PhD student will work in the
RAPHYNEE
(RAdiochemistry and PHYsics for Nuclear Energy and Environment) group of the Laboratory which which, among other things, conducts fundamental research on the chemistry of actinides in solution. The group includes 6 permanent researchers and associate professors, 1 research engineer, 2 doctoral students. This project is part of a program dedicated to the fundamental chemical properties of an exotic element, protactinium, in aqueous solution at its two oxidation states (+IV and +V); this program brings together experimentalists (IJCLab-Orsay) and theorists (PhLAM-Lille). The objective of this thesis is to gain insight into the hydrolysis and condensation of hydrolyzed Pa(V) species, as well as its complexation with inorganic ligands found in the environment (carbonates, phosphates, etc.), through an experimental approach and theoretical chemistry calculations. The doctoral student will be responsible for developing and validating experimental protocols to overcome Pa(V)'s strong tendency to polymerize in the absence of a strong complexing agent and even in an acidic medium. To determine thermodynamic parameters associated with hydrolysis or complexation, partition techniques (liquid-liquid extraction or ion exchange combined with gamma spectrometry) will be prioritized, using the 233Pa isotope at the ultratrace level. Based on the speciation data established during the thermodynamic study, the Ph.D. student will prepare samples containing the isotope 231Pa in order to perform X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements at the L3 and M4 edges of Pa. Due to the instability of Pa in a non-complexing medium at the concentrations required for the spectroscopic measurements, a protocol will need to be developed to stabilize the samples. The interpretation of experimental spectra will be based on quantum chemistry calculations aimed at determining the geometries and thermodynamic properties of the most stable complexes, using established quantum methodology. The research will result in publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals as well as presentations at national and international conferences. Bibliographical references Persistent Mono-Oxo Bonding with Protactinium(V) Revealed in Highly Acidic Chloride Solutions. M.Maloubier, T.Shaaban, F.Réal, Naour, H.Oher, T.Aubert, P. L.Solari, B.Siberchicot, R.Maurice, V.Vallet, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.2026, 65, e18403.https:
//doi.org/10.1002/anie.202518403 The speciation of protactinium since its discovery: a nightmare or a path of resilience. C. Le Naour, M. Maloubier, J. Aupiais. Radiochim. Acta 2022, 110, 481-493.https:
//doi.org/10.1515/ract-2021-1126 Scientific, Material, and Financial Conditions of the Research Project Co-direction and co-supervision for the modeling component: Valérie VALLET and Florent REAL (PhLAM-Lille) Co-supervision for the experimental component: MelodyMALOUBIER
(IJCLab) Where to apply Website https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/Doctorant/UMR9012-MARJOU-047/Default.aspx Requirements Research Field Physics Education Level PhD or equivalent Languages FRENCH Level Basic Research Field Physics Years of Research Experience None Additional Information Additional comments Master's degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, physical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, analytical chemistry, or a related field.- Strong knowledge of solution chemistry, chemical thermodynamics, and chemical equilibria.
- Basic knowledge of quantum chemistry and ab initio computational methods (electronic structure calculations, structure optimization, thermodynamic properties) (optional).
- Knowledge of analytical chemistry and techniques for characterizing elements in solution.
- Interest in radiochemistry and working in a controlled environment (radiation protection).
- Skills in scientific data processing and analysis.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Language level for a non-French native: English (B2 minimum) Other Documents Submit a covering letter and CV without any break in date showing diplomas, titles and work and professional experience.