General information

Reference

2026-4088  

Position description

Category

F07 Process Engineering - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

Postdoctoral researcher in bioprocess engineering (M/F)

Contract

Post-doctoral contrat

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

2 years

Context and contributions of the position

Joining the French Geological Survey (BRGM) means becoming part of France's leading public institution for Earth Science applications bringing together 1,000 wholeheartedly committed experts across 25 bases in Mainland and Overseas France. BRGM focuses on enhancing geological knowledge and understanding of surface and sub-surface-related phenomena, with a view to: meeting the challenges of environmental changes through innovative projects with societal implications.

INSOKA is a Horizon Europe project (Innovation Action) aimed at demonstrating BRGM's low-intensity bioleaching technology (Low-Duty Bioreactor / pond bioleaching) for the recovery of copper and cobalt from sulfide flotation tailings of the Zambian Copperbelt. The demonstration site is the Nkana-Mindola tailings storage facility of Mopani Copper Mines (Zambia). The LDB process targets a pond-based, technologically lean bioleaching producing a pregnant leach solution (PLS) from which copper and cobalt are recovered downstream. BRGM is the project coordinator and the lead of WP3 (development and optimization of the LDB process). The position is part of the development of this process from laboratory to pilot scale, and in the characterization of the LDB pilot (WP7).

Job description

You will be responsible for the development of the LDB bioreactor, from the laboratory to the on-site pilot plant, through the BRGM tasks in WP3 and WP7.

The position is primarily experimental in nature (laboratory work and pilot-scale testing); modeling aspects are addressed in a supporting capacity.
WP3 - Development and optimization of the LDB process:
-T3.1 Bioleaching tests in a laboratory-scale reactor (M3-M26): conducting tests, kinetics, yields, determination of input parameters for pilot sizing; work with adapted microbial consortia (the bioprospecting aspect of T3.1 being provided in support).
-T3.2 Development and optimization of the floating agitator (M3-M28): experimental hydrodynamic tests on BRGM's 1.8 m³ pilot and materials optimization; in support, contribution to design improvements resulting from CFD modeling.
-T3.3 Scale-up of bioleaching and inoculum preparation (M22-M34) : experimental implementation of the scale-up from laboratory to continuous pilot (100 L), preparation and management of the inoculum ; in support, contribution to the numerical modeling of the process.
WP7 - LDB Piloting (BRGM contribution) :
-T7.3 Hydrodynamic characterization and mass transfer of the on-site LDB pilot plant (M19-M30): experimental measurements of solids dispersion, gas-liquid transfer coefficients and residence time distributions.
Cross-cutting tasks: contribution to the drafting of deliverables (D3.2, D3.3, D3.4; D7.5), project reports and high-impact scientific publications.

Profile

Desired start date: 01/04/2027
Contract type: Post-doctoral
Duration: 24 months
Education: PhD

You hold a PhD in process (bio)engineering, chemical engineering, biohydrometallurgy, microbiology or a related field;

You have the following skills and qualities:
-Bioleaching / biohydrometallurgy of sulfides ;
-Cultivation and adaptation of microbial consortia (iron- and sulfur-oxidizing organisms) ;
-A strong experience in operating bioreactors and monitoring processes ;
-Experience in scaling up processes (from laboratory to continuous pilot);
-A very strong ability to design and carry out experimental tests in the laboratory and on pilot-scale;
-An ease in working in teams on multidisciplinary topics;
-A strong ability to communicate to present and showcase one's results;
-Proficiency in English (read, written, spoken).

The following skills would be a plus:
-Characterization of microorganisms, notably DNA-based techniques (PCR, sequencing) and associated bioinformatics/statistical analysis ;
-Experience in hydrodynamics and mass transfer ;
-CFD modeling ;
-Fluency in French.

Working conditions

Full-time position requiring laboratory and fieldwork, with short- to long-term travel within France and abroad (Zambia).

Within an environment that promotes a healthy work/life balance, particularly thanks to remote working, BRGM prides itself on providing a friendly and caring place to work.

Awarded HRS4R certification in 2021, we are committed to supporting you throughout your career at BRGM. We provide you with a range of tools for developing your skills and expertise, with scope for career progression and geographic mobility.

At BRGM, you will gain from such benefits as a 13th month salary, days off compensating for unpaid overtime, a company canteen, sports facilities as well as holiday and leisure options.

At BRGM, you are guaranteed a transparent recruitment process. To apply, please send us your application (up-to-date CV and cover letter) by 2026, September 10th.

Because diversity matters to us at BRGM, all of our job vacancies are open to everyone!

We will examine your application as soon as the closing date has passed. If your application is short-listed, we will contact you for recruitment interviews during which you will have the opportunity to talk with the recruitment and HR departments as well as a cross-functional department.

Position location

Job location

France, Centre-Val de Loire, Loiret (45)

Location