PhD position: In-situ/operando spectroscopic and microscopic investigation of mineral carbonation
- Post by: Xinping Zhu
- 9 November 2026
- No Comment
Context: Mineral carbonation provides a naturally stable pathway for converting CO2 into solid carbonate phases and has important implications for carbon management, geological processes, and the development of sustainable construction materials. However, carbonation is a complex multistep process involving mineral dissolution, aqueous speciation, interfacial reactions, nucleation, and precipitation. Many of these processes occur simultaneously and evolve dynamically during reaction. Conventional ex situ characterization therefore provides only a partial picture of the mechanisms controlling carbonation. Within the framework of the ANR-funded EXCARB project, we are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop and apply advanced in-situ/operando approaches to investigate the physicochemical mechanisms governing the carbonation of calcium silicate minerals under external electric fields.
Objectives: The central objective of the PhD is to identify and characterize the evolution of chemical species and mineral phases during carbonation under controlled physicochemical conditions. The candidate will investigate processes including: evolution of mineral surfaces during dissolution and carbonation, aqueous and interfacial speciation of calcium, silicate, carbonate, and related species, formation and evolution of reaction intermediates, nucleation and growth of carbonate phases, influence of environmental and physicochemical conditions on reaction kinetics and pathways. Particular emphasis will be placed on obtaining time-resolved and, where possible, spatially resolved information under operando conditions, allowing transient species and intermediate states to be distinguished from final reaction products.
Methodology: The project will combine in-situ/operando Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, and synchrotron-based, in situ X-ray reflectometry (XRR) to investigate the dynamic evolution of wollastonite-water interfaces during carbonation. Operando Raman spectroscopy will be used to monitor chemical and mineralogical transformations and the formation of reaction intermediates and carbonate phases in real time, while fluorescence microscopy will provide spatially and temporally resolved information on heterogeneous processes occurring at and near reacting mineral surfaces. As an interface-selective nonlinear optical technique, SFG spectroscopy will provide molecular-level insights into the organization and evolution of interfacial water and chemical species. In situ XRR will enable quantitative characterization of changes in interfacial electron density and surface roughness, providing insights into the kinetics of mineral surface alteration and carbonate layer formation under controlled conditions. The complementary information obtained from these techniques will be integrated to establish relationships between interfacial molecular structure, mineral dissolution, chemical evolution, and carbonate formation, in close interaction with the molecular-simulation activities of the EXCARB project.
Candidate profile: We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in physical chemistry, materials science, spectroscopy, chemical physics, geochemistry, mineralogy, cement science, or a related field. The candidate should have a strong interest in experimental physical chemistry, spectroscopy, and interfacial processes. Previous experience with Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, SFG or other vibrational/optical spectroscopy, and operando or in situ characterization would be advantageous but is not mandatory. Experience in scientific data analysis and programming is also desirable. The candidate should be enthusiastic about experimental research, capable of working in a multidisciplinary environment, and willing to develop and optimize advanced experimental protocols. Note that the candidate should be able to communicate in English.
About the position: This position is part of a research project funded by ANR JCJC (French National Research Agency). The PhD student will be registered at the doctoral school of Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), which ranks 43rd worldwide and 2nd in France in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It holds strong positions globally for science, technology, and graduate employability. We are looking for an outstanding PhD candidate to join our team and contribute to this research on carbonation.
Practical details:
- Research team: The selected candidate will join Laboratoire Navier, a multidisciplinary research laboratory working at the interface of mechanics, physics, materials science, and civil engineering. The PhD student will work with Xinping Zhu (Laboratoire Navier, CNRS), Michel Bornert (Laboratoire Navier, École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées), Florence Rouyer (Laboratoire Navier, Université Gustave Eiffel), Aimeric Ouvrard (Institut des Sciences Moléculaires d’Orsay, CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay), and Chloé Fourdrin (Laboratoire Géomatériaux et Environnement, Université Gustave Eiffel).
- Salary: ∼2300 € gross per month.
- Location: 6 et 8 avenue Blaise- Pascal – Champs-sur-Marne, France. 20 minutes by RER train from Paris city center.
- Starting date: 1 October 2027
- Duration: 36 months
- Application deadline: 28 February 2027 (the deadline may be extended if the position remains unfilled)
How to apply?
Interested candidates should provide:
- A detailed CV
- A motivation letter describing their research interests and relevant experience
- Master’s/Bachelor’s transcripts
- 2-3 referees
Please send your application files to Xinping ZHU by email (xinping.zhu@enpc.fr), Michel Bornert (michel.bornert@enpc.fr), Florence Rouyer (florence.rouyer@univ-eiffel.fr), Aimeric Ouvrard (aimeric.ouvrard@universite-paris-saclay.fr), Chloé Fourdrin (chloe.fourdrin@univ-eiffel.fr), and Laurent Brochard (laurent.brochard@enpc.fr). Please name your email subject in a format of “PhD EX application – <your full name>”.