The PC2A group at the Université de Lille (France) has a PhD offer assessing the fate of emerging contaminants in the environment. Starting in October 2025 and lasting for 3-years.
Context
The presence of emerging contaminants results either from direct or diffuse emissions or re-emissions from contaminated soils or water bodies. This phenomenon concerns a great diversity of molecules of anthropogenic origin, that realease semi-volatile organic compounds such as tire wear additives or perfluorinated compounds (PFAS). Tire wear particles are a new focus as a form of environmental microplastics, with their role in air pollution expected to grow as tailpipe emissions decrease. PFAS are a current focus of significant research, due to the growing awareness of their toxicity and emerging regulations that often set their allowable concentrations at extremely Iow levels (ppt).
Despite this, knowledge gaps remain regarding the environmental fate and transport of these “forever chemicals”. Given the limited reactivity of PFAS, a critical consideration is their partitioning behavior within environmental media. One particularly important aspect is the interaction between PFAS and microplastics, as they are frequently found together due to their anthropogenic origins.
Goal of the project
This PhD will investigate their atmospheric fate and impact to the environment as well as their ecotoxicity towards aquatic species. This will be done using computational kinetics, the atmospheric degradation processes of emerging contaminants at the molecular level unraveling their most favorable pathways. The goal is to inform experiments on recommended products to look for, and to support the kinetics and products already identified. This project develops within a larger research program (CPER Ecrin, Labex CaPPA, and CDP AREA) within the PC2A at Université de Lille in collaboration with the group led by Pierre Herckes at Arizona State University (ASU). The work will take place at PC2A laboratory of the University of Lille.
Candidate profile
- Master’s or engineering degree in environmental or physical chemistry with average marks above 12/20, obtained in 2024 or 2025.
- Skills in the field of atmospheric chemistry, molecular simulations (quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics) and chemical kinetics are appreciated.
- A good level of English (written, spoken) will be essential (at least B2).
- Willing to work both at the University of Lille and the American Partner (ASU).
Supervision
The PhD supervisors are Florent Louis, Sonia Taamalli (PC2A) and Pierre Herckes (ASU)
- Florent Louis (florent.louis@univ-lille.fr)
- Sonia Taamalli (sonia.taamalli@univ-lille.fr)
- Pierre Herckes (pierre.herckes@asu.edu)
Application
Submit your CV, cover letter, BSc. and MSc. transcripts to the three emails above before April 25th 2025. The interviews will be on site or remotely by videoconference until the end of application’s date