Montpellier Institute Charles Gerhardt Master 2 Internship 2027 | Synthesis of Lewis Pairs for Vitrimers | 6 Months in France
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Are you looking for a Master 2 internship in France in 2027 focused on polymer chemistry, organic synthesis, vitrimers, and advanced materials research? The Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM) is offering a 6-month Master 2 internship starting in January 2027 on the research topic “Synthesis of supported/multifunctional Lewis pairs as latent exchange catalysts in vitrimers.”
This Master 2 internship 2027 combines organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, controlled radical polymerization, NMR characterization, and supramolecular materials research. The internship will be conducted at the CNRS campus in Montpellier, France, as part of the ANR SupraCAN project.
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Montpellier Master 2 Internship 2027 – Opportunity Overview
- Opportunity: Master 2 Research Internship
- Research topic: Synthesis of supported/multifunctional Lewis pairs as latent exchange catalysts in vitrimers
- Start date: January 2027
- Duration: 6 months
- Location: Montpellier, France 🇫🇷
- Research institute: Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM), UMR 5253
- Department: Department of Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials
- Campus: CNRS campus
- Supervisors: Dr. Camille Bakkali and Léo Hervéou
- Academic area: Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science
- Project: ANR SupraCAN
- Application materials: CV, cover letter and one or more recommendation letters
About the Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier
The Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM) is a multidisciplinary research institute working across chemistry, materials and related scientific fields. The internship will take place within the Department of Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials at the CNRS campus in Montpellier.
For this Master 2 internship in Montpellier, the successful candidate will become involved in an academic research project investigating new approaches to dynamic polymer networks and latent catalysts.
The research will be supervised by Dr. Camille Bakkali, associate researcher at CNRS, together with Léo Hervéou, PhD student.
About the Master 2 Internship Research Project
Traditional thermosets obtain their dimensional stability from permanent covalent cross-links. However, because these cross-links cannot normally be exchanged, conventional thermosets cannot easily be reshaped or reprocessed.
Covalent adaptable networks (CANs) address this limitation by incorporating exchangeable or reversible covalent bonds.
At lower temperatures, CANs can retain properties similar to thermosets while their dynamic cross-links can allow the material to become malleable when the exchange reactions are activated.
A major challenge in vitrimer and CAN research is achieving both structural stability during operation and a viscosity suitable for thermoplastic processing methods such as extrusion and injection.
The project therefore investigates latent catalysts that can activate covalent bond exchange when desired.
Previous research in the group has demonstrated that boron–nitrogen Lewis pair systems can provide efficient and tunable on-demand activation of chemical exchange reactions.
The internship forms part of the ANR SupraCAN project, which aims to develop new latent catalysts supported on polymer chains or organized through supramolecular assembly.
What Will the Master 2 Intern Do?
The Master 2 intern will work on the synthesis of both Lewis pair partners and investigate their association.
The project combines organic synthesis and controlled radical polymerization.
1. Synthesis of Styrenic Monomers
The intern will prepare a family of styrenic monomers containing an N-alkylated imidazole.
The substitution at ring position 2 will be varied to create a family of related monomers for subsequent polymerization and investigation.
2. Polymerization
The successful candidate will homopolymerize and copolymerize the prepared monomers with styrene.
The polymerization will use controlled radical polymerization, with different compositions and a fixed target molar mass.
This part of the polymer chemistry internship will provide hands-on experience in the preparation of functional polymer chains.
3. Synthesis of a Ditopic Borane
Another important component of the Master 2 internship research project will be the synthesis of a ditopic borane capable of bridging two imidazole units located on the same polymer chain.
This work will contribute to the development of supported or multifunctional Lewis-pair systems.
4. Molecular Characterization
The products will be characterized at the molecular level using techniques including:
- 1D multinuclear NMR
- 2D multinuclear NMR
- Mass spectrometry
These techniques will help determine the molecular structures and properties of the synthesized compounds.
5. Macromolecular Characterization
The polymeric materials will also be investigated at the macromolecular level.
The characterization will include:
- Size exclusion chromatography (SEC)
- Thermal analysis
This will allow the research team to examine molecular weight and thermal characteristics of the prepared polymers.
6. Lewis Pair Association
The intern will assess Lewis pair association using variable-temperature ¹¹B NMR.
The project will then begin exploring the self-assembly of the systems at the nanoparticle scale.
Who Is This Master 2 Internship Suitable For?
This Master 2 internship 2027 in France is particularly suitable for students with a strong academic background in:
- Organic chemistry
- Polymer chemistry
- Macromolecular chemistry
- Materials chemistry
- Chemical sciences
- Related experimental chemistry disciplines
Candidates who have previous practical experience with chemical synthesis will be particularly valued.
Required Skills and Experience
The research team is looking for a candidate with a strong background in organic synthesis and/or polymer chemistry.
Organic Synthesis
Experience carrying out organic synthesis reactions is highly relevant because a significant part of the internship involves preparing functional monomers and borane-based compounds.
Polymer Chemistry
Knowledge of polymer synthesis and characterization would be advantageous because the project includes homopolymerization and copolymerization using controlled radical polymerization.
Laboratory Experience
Previous hands-on laboratory synthesis experience will be particularly valued.
Inert-Atmosphere Techniques
Familiarity with inert-atmosphere techniques is an advantage for this research project.
Personal Qualities
The research team expects:
- Curiosity
- Experimental rigor
- Scientific interest
- Motivation for academic research
- Willingness to learn advanced experimental techniques
Salary and Benefits
The vacancy information provided for this 6-month Master 2 internship does not specify an internship salary or stipend amount.
Therefore, applicants should not assume a particular stipend, accommodation package, travel allowance, visa support or other financial benefit unless it is confirmed by the host institution.
The major opportunity is the chance to gain practical research experience in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, controlled radical polymerization, NMR spectroscopy and advanced materials research within an academic research environment in France.
Why This Internship Is Valuable
This Master 2 research internship in Montpellier offers exposure to several areas of modern chemistry.
The intern can gain experience with:
Organic synthesis → Functional monomers → Controlled radical polymerization → Polymer characterization → Lewis pair chemistry → NMR analysis → Supramolecular assembly → Vitrimer research
This combination can be particularly valuable for students considering a future PhD in polymer chemistry, organic chemistry, materials science or supramolecular chemistry.
How Competitive Is the Internship?
The Master 2 internship 2027 is likely to attract candidates with strong chemistry backgrounds because it requires practical experimental skills and involves several specialized research techniques.
Candidates can strengthen their applications by clearly demonstrating:
- Relevant Master 2-level coursework.
- Practical organic synthesis experience.
- Polymer chemistry knowledge.
- Laboratory research experience.
- Experience with NMR or other characterization techniques.
- Familiarity with controlled radical polymerization.
- Experience with inert-atmosphere techniques, if applicable.
- Genuine interest in academic research.
Do not claim experience with techniques you have not actually used.
How to Prepare Your CV
For this Master 2 internship in France, your CV should make your relevant laboratory and research experience easy to identify.
Highlight:
Education
Clearly state your Master’s degree or current Master 2 programme and relevant specialization.
Laboratory Skills
List practical chemistry techniques you have actually performed.
Research Experience
Describe previous research projects, dissertations, laboratory placements or publications where applicable.
Instrumentation
Mention relevant analytical techniques such as NMR, mass spectrometry, SEC or thermal analysis if you have genuine experience.
Polymer Chemistry
If you have studied or worked with polymerization, polymers, macromolecules or materials chemistry, make this visible.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Sending a generic CV.
- Using the same cover letter for every research internship.
- Hiding relevant laboratory experience.
- Claiming techniques they have never used.
- Failing to explain their interest in polymer chemistry.
- Ignoring the research topic in the cover letter.
- Submitting incomplete application documents.
- Waiting until the last minute to request recommendation letters.
A strong cover letter should connect your academic background and laboratory experience with the specific Lewis pair and vitrimer research project.
Career Paths After the Internship
Experience from this Master 2 research internship could be relevant to future opportunities in:
- Polymer research
- Organic chemistry
- Materials science
- Macromolecular chemistry
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Chemical engineering research
- Industrial R&D
- Academic research
- PhD programmes
The project may be particularly relevant for students interested in continuing toward doctoral research in dynamic polymer networks, vitrimers, catalysts or advanced functional materials.
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Similar Opportunities to Consider
Students interested in this Master 2 internship 2027 can also look for research internships involving:
- Polymer chemistry
- Organic synthesis
- Functional polymers
- Vitrimer chemistry
- Covalent adaptable networks
- Controlled radical polymerization
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Materials chemistry
- Chemical catalysis
- Nanostructured materials
Application Requirements
Applications should consist of:
- CV
- Cover letter
- One or more letters of recommendation
Applications should be sent to the research supervisors:
Dr. Camille Bakkali
camille.bakkali-hassani@umontpellier.fr
Léo Hervéou
leo.herveou@umontpellier.fr
Applicants should use the email application to clearly identify their interest in the Master 2 Internship: Synthesis of supported/multifunctional Lewis pairs as latent exchange catalysts in vitrimers.
Internship Location
The Master 2 internship will be conducted at:
Institute Charles Gerhardt Montpellier (ICGM, UMR 5253)
Department of Macromolecular Chemistry and Materials
CNRS Campus
1919 route de Mende
34293 Montpellier
France 🇫🇷
Montpellier provides the research setting for this six-month academic placement in chemistry and materials research.
Final Thoughts
This Montpellier Master 2 Internship 2027 is an interesting opportunity for students with a strong background in organic synthesis and/or polymer chemistry who want practical experience in advanced academic research.
The six-month project combines organic synthesis, controlled radical polymerization, polymer characterization, Lewis pair chemistry, NMR spectroscopy and nanoparticle-scale self-assembly within the broader field of vitrimers and covalent adaptable networks.
Students who are curious, experimentally rigorous and interested in pursuing academic research should consider preparing a targeted CV, a strong research-focused cover letter and relevant recommendation letters before applying.
Opportunity: Master 2 Internship
Start: January 2027
Duration: 6 months
Location: Montpellier, France 🇫🇷
Field: Organic Chemistry / Polymer Chemistry / Materials Science
Application: CV + Cover Letter + Recommendation Letter(s)
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