MSCA PF 2024- Physico-chemical characterisation of particulate emissions from ships

Thinking about your next career step and willing to boost your career by joining a technological university ranked among the top 500 universities in the world (Top 201-250 for Computer Science and Engineering, (THE ranking), Top 201-300 for Management (Shangaï ranking)]) and 20th to the THE World’s Best Small Universities Rankings (2023) ?

Willing to experience intersectoral, interdisciplinary and/or international research?

Looking to carry out your research in a new technological university putting industrial, environmental, societal and/or digital transitions as a priority challenge?

In that case you can apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship with IMT Atlantique as host institution!

Topic open:

Topic : Physico-chemical characterisation of particulate emissions from ships

Key words : BTEX, condensables, soots, emission factors for ships, analytical methodology, GC-MS

The Energy Systems and Environment Department (DSEE) of IMT Atlantique, which will host the candidate, is based on the Nantes campus. It has a staff of around 70, including 20 permanent teacher-researchers, 6 engineers and technicians, as well as 3 administrative staffs, doctoral students, research engineers and post-doctoral students. The department is part of UMR CNRS 6144 GEPEA, which conducts research into process engineering applied to bio-resources and ecotechnologies through 3 research teams: Water Air Treatment, Metrology (TEAM), Energy/material recovery from wastes and fume treatment (VERTE), Optimisation - System - Energy (OSE).

In this context, the DSEE is recruiting a post-doctoral student to join the VERTE team and contribute to the characterisation of emissions from ships. The aim is to develop a methodology for characterise the chemical compounds adsorbed on the surface of particles as well as the gaseous compounds emitted. The aim is to characterise ship emission factors by means of a database obtained under shipping conditions (port and sea) of the chemical compounds present in the fumes.  The heavy VOCs adsorbed and condensed on the surface of the soot are analysed by GC-MS after extraction, while the lighter VOCs are sampled on adsorbent cartridges and analysed in the laboratory by GC-MS. A great deal of compound identification work is expected. These analyses will be supplemented by toxicological characterisation of particulate emissions using the Ames test and measurement of oxidising potential (among other things).

This work will complement the collaborative research project EMINAV (Emissions into the atmosphere from ships) funded by ADEME and led by ESTACA in partnership with IMT Atlantique/GEPEA, Penn Ar Bed, Brittany Ferries, Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique and ECOGAS. The aim of the EMINAV project is to assess, as comprehensively as possible, the gaseous and particulate pollutant emissions associated with maritime transport, for two types of engine and under conditions of use (diesel and LNG).

MISSIONS

The candidate recruited will be responsible for charge

• GC-MS analysis of samples taken (sampling filters and adsorbent cartridges): identification of molecules, quantification, database comparison
• Implementing and adapting toxicological tests
• Analysis of results: calculation of emission factors, toxicology of molecules, comparison of navigation and motorisation conditions.
•  Making the most of the results, in particular through scientific reports and communications