PhD 2026/2027 : Thermal Superinsulating Bio-Aerogels with Stable Performance and Sustainable and Cost-Efficient Processing

id="offer-description" class="ecl-u-type-heading-2 ecl-u-mt-none ecl-u-mb-l">Offer Description The overall objective of the multi-partner ANR-funded national project IsoMat is to develop innovative bio-based thermal superinsulating materials with thermal conductivity below that of air, excellent long-term performance, and strong potential for technology transfer and industrial implementation. The goal of the PhD project is to design bio-based aerogels —ultralight porous materials with high specific surface area and exceptional thermal insulation properties. Two major scientific and technological challenges will be addressed: (i) selecting appropriate physico-chemical modifications to prevent material aging while preserving their superinsulating performance, and (ii) developing processing strategies that eliminate the need for high- or low-pressure drying technologies, thereby enabling simpler, more cost-effective, and scalable manufacturing. The work is at the frontier of polymer physics and physical chemistry, and materials processing. It will be carried out in close collaboration with academic and industrial partners within the IsoMat consortium. The research will involve formulation and processing of bio-based materials, rheological characterization, optical and electron microscopy, characterization of solutions, gels, and porous materials, measurements of thermal and mechanical properties, and the establishment of structure–property–processing relationships. Please do not