About

Dr. Jeremie Zaffran

Dr. Jeremie Zaffran (JZ) is a CNRS (the French National Centre for Scientific Research) researcher specializing in computational chemistry applied to heterogeneous catalysis. He earned his PhD from the École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENSL) in Lyon, France, in 2014, and then completed a postdoctoral research stay at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology (IIT) in Haifa, Israel, until 2017. In 2018, he moved to ShanghaiTech University in Shanghai, China, as a Research Assistant Professor, before becoming a permanent CNRS researcher—principal investigator and team leader—in 2021. Since 2023, he has been working at the Eco-Efficient Products and Processes Lab (E₂P₂L) in Shanghai, China.

SimNanoCat

SimNanoCat is a research group led by JZ and hosted at E₂P₂L, specializing in the development of sustainable processes to support the green chemistry industry. At SimNanoCat, JZ develops and applies simulation tools—based on Quantum Chemistry and Artificial Intelligence (Machine Learning)—to understand nanoscale surface reactivity and design efficient solid catalysts for a wide range of applications. This research tackles environmental challenges such as biomass upgrading, CO₂ valorization, and plastic-waste recycling, as well as industry-driven topics including the synthesis of solvents, surfactants, and specialty monomers. While JZ’s work is primarily theoretical, it is carried out in close collaboration with experimentalists and remains strongly aligned with industrial needs.

E₂P₂L, CNRS and Syensqo

E₂P₂L is an International Research Laboratory (IRL 3464) that bridges academia and industry. It is jointly operated by the CNRS and Syensqo, in partnership with six French and Chinese academic institutions. The CNRS is France’s main national research organization, conducting research across a broad range of disciplines—from the fundamental sciences to the humanities and social sciences—and, beyond its France-based laboratories, it also runs research units worldwide with international partners. Created from the Solvay spin-off in late 2023, Syensqo is a Belgium-headquartered company focused on advanced materials and high-performance specialty chemicals that support a cleaner, more sustainable future, operating globally with a strong presence in China.