Scientist in long term corrosion (M/F)

The LAPA (Laboratoire Archéomatériaux et Prévision de l'Altération, part of the NIMBE UMR3685) is skilled in the study of the behavior of weathered materials over the very long term (several centuries), thanks in particular to its expertise in the study of archaeological analogues and, more broadly, the very long-term corrosion of metals. Within this thematic context, LAPA has developed and deployed specific corrosion study methodologies based on multi-scale analytical characterization. It is thus involved in studies aimed at developing materials to be used in multi-barrier concepts for vitrified nuclear waste disposal, and in particular in studies of ferrous metallic materials altered in contact with different media. This is the context in which this CDD is being offered.
Indeed, the use of a number of metallic materials is envisaged for the development of storage concepts developed by the Agence Nationale pour la Gestion des Déchets Radioactifs (Andra). The corrosion behavior of the steel grades envisaged for the High Level Repository (HLR) is a key parameter contributing to the design of the storage containers and the HLR liners. It is therefore important to test the behavior of the steel grades envisaged in contact with different storage materials (filler materials, glass, clay, etc.). To this end, Andra has set up a number of corrosion experiments. Following these tests, it is necessary to finely characterize the composition and structure of the corrosion systems obtained, from the functional scale down to the micrometric or even nanometric scale. At this stage, the methodologies developed by LAPA for the analysis of very long-term corrosion systems come into play, mapping the nature and organization of corrosion products on cross-sections and combining analytical techniques (optical and electron microscopies, Raman microspectrometry, X-ray micro diffraction and micro-XRF) with statistical and chemometric approaches to interpret the results.

The person recruited will be responsible for setting up and carrying out multi-scale characterizations of these systems using LAPA methodologies, and for proposing corrosion mechanisms in line with the observations. In addition to a good knowledge of the characterization of complex materials, he/she will need to have an excellent command of scanning electron microscopy and related analyses, as well as Raman spectrometry. The person recruited should also have a good grounding in other characterization techniques at the submicron (ToF SIMS imaging) and nanometric scales on FIB preparations, such as transmission electron microscopy. She may also be called upon to support the team in synchrotron ring experiments (notably using the STXM technique) or electron spectroscopy. All the results obtained by these multi-scale techniques will be used to understand corrosion mechanisms over the very long term. Autonomy, team spirit and good writing skills will be highly appreciated.

The person hired will work in an interdisciplinary team of around 20 people, based at the CEA Saclay site. He/she will be able to travel in France or abroad to access the appropriate synchrotron light lines and the various analytical platforms to which LAPA has access. It should be able to collaborate closely with ANDRA staff.