Advanced photonic methods for the operando studies of electro-enzymatic catalysis at the electrodes of H2/O2 bio-fuel cells

1 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering Laboratory

Research Field

Chemistry
Biological sciences » Biology
Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)
Leading Researcher (R4)
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

France

Application Deadline

7 May 2024 - 22:00 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Due to their amazing properties, redox enzymes are catalysts of choice to replace platinum in low-temperature fuel cells, and performances of bio-electrochemical devices have increased considerably in the last 15 years. For example, the power densities delivered by H2 /O2 enzymatic bio-fuel cells have been multiplied by three orders of magnitude in about ten years, and the mass efficiency of the catalysts has been evaluated at 1 A/mg of enzyme, a very competitive value. Unfortunately, current performances in terms of stability remain much lower than expected, and the credibility of the use of redox enzymes as effective biocatalysts on industrial scales is largely affected. This problem can be explained by a probable modification of the local environment of the enzymes immobilized at the electrochemical interface during catalysis, which is predicted by modeling. Therefore, it appears essential to obtain information with high spatio-temporal resolution on the electrochemical processes involved in the enzymatic electrodes. This thesis project, at the interface between chemistry and physics, aims to establish an experimental system combining electrochemical measurements and advanced optical microscopy. It will take place between two Marseille laboratories: the Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering laboratory (BIP) and the Fresnel Institute. The BIP is internationally recognized for its expertise in the electrochemistry of redox enzymes. Furthermore, researchers at BIP develop surface characterization methods allowing operando measurements during electrochemistry experiments: surface plasmon resonance, quartz microbalance, conventional fluorescence microscopy, etc... The Fresnel Institute develops adaptative microscopy techniques and super-resolution microscopy. In adaptative microscopy, researchers at Fresnel Institute proposed the concept of smart scanning of the sample to accelerate the microscopy acquisition process through algorithmic optimization of the scanning path. In super-resolution microscopy, they use structured illumination to access information on the sample beyond optical resolution, and they are interested in the development of rapid 3D imaging strategies. The PhD student will set up the operando coupling between electrochemistry and these cutting-edge optical techniques. The studied enzymatic reactions will be the reduction of O2 and the oxidation of H2 , catalyzed respectively by multi-copper oxidases and hydrogenases, which are the reactions of interest for enzymatic biofuel cells. The project aims to significantly improve the spatio-temporal resolution of electrochemical imaging. The increase in temporal resolution will allow the study of hitherto inaccessible transient regimes; and sub-micrometric details such as individual pores of porous electrodes, and individual enzymes, will be observed.

Funding category: Contrat doctoral

PHD title: Doctorat de Chimie, Doctorat de Physique
PHD Country: France

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The candidate will hold an engineering degree or a Master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or physics. He/she will show a major interest in physical chemistry, and/or optics and/or imaging. He/she will have obtained excellent grades in his/her bachelor's and master's degrees (or equivalent). He/she will be motivated, hardworking, voluntary, and able to work in a team. Training/experience in electrochemistry or microscopy would be a plus. The project was selected by the Doctoral College of Aix-Marseille University, and to obtain the thesis grant the candidate will have to undergo a competitive evaluation in front of a panel of experts.

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Bioenergetics and Protein Engineering Laboratory

Country

France

City

Marseille

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.abg.asso.fr/fr/candidatOffres/show/id_offre/123548

Contact

Website

https://bip.cnrs.fr/groups/bip08/

STATUS: EXPIRED