Société Chimique de France - Solid-State Chemistry Division Doctoral Dissertation Award

Solid-State Chemistry Division doctoral thesis prize

You will receive a one-off 500 EUR Prize for an outstanding doctoral thesis in the field of solid-state chemistry, that is, research into the structure and properties of solid materials. The prize is awarded by the Solid-State Chemistry Section (DCS) of the French Chemical Society (SCF). It honours a young researcher whose work has advanced the field. The award ceremony takes place as part of the SCF’s national congress or an event organised by the section.

Who can apply

• Degree: You recently obtained your PhD and successfully defended your thesis within the specified timeframe. For the 2022 round, this took place in the past calendar year.
• Field: Your PhD thesis focuses on solid-state chemistry or materials science and corresponds to the CNRS department 15 and the CNU department 33.
• Quality: Your work is characterised by outstanding publications, initiative and academic maturity – not merely by the number of publications.
• Membership: You become a member of the SCF as soon as you have been nominated.
• Nationality and university: Applicants of all nationalities and from all universities are welcome to apply.

How to apply

You cannot apply yourself. Your supervisor, co-supervisor or co-advisor will submit your application documents to the President of the DCS. The documents comprise your CV with a list of publications, a two-page summary of your thesis and two letters of recommendation. In the year 2022, the application deadline was midnight on 27 May. The department’s committee decides who wins the prize.

How realistic are your chances?

This prize is awarded on a highly selective basis. It is presented to a researcher who has recently completed their PhD in a specific field and who is nominated not by you, but by your supervisor; consequently, the pool of candidates is small, but the standards are high. If your PhD thesis in the field of solid-state chemistry is truly outstanding and a supervisor is prepared to put in the effort on your behalf, you have a genuine chance. The 500 EUR is less important than the recognition from the professional association in the relevant field.