Rafik Benrabbah

My background

I completed my PhD at Sorbonne University, within the Paris Institute of Chemistry Research, in collaboration with the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). My work focused on the development of photovoltaic silicon using plasma processes and its characterization by LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy). This research aimed to develop disruptive solutions in the production of silicon thin films.

Defended in 2015, my doctorate was followed by several years of public research. I initially worked as a teaching and research assistant (ATER), focusing on CO₂ valorization processes through plasma methanation/heterogeneous catalysis, before joining the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission). There I led the development of a new tandem photovoltaic cell technology (perovskite on silicon). Meanwhile, between 2011 and 2016, I had the opportunity to teach...

In 2018, after completing further training at INSEAD, I switched to the private sector, joining the firm EQUAD. I currently work there as a senior expert and I head the Industry group in the Paris office.

My job today

My profession involves intervening on behalf of industrial clients or their insurers when an incident occurs. This entails understanding the technical facts, analyzing the causes, assessing technical liabilities, and contributing to the resolution of disputes.

This profession requires a high level of scientific rigor, strong adaptability, technical pedagogy to make complex phenomena understandable, and constant diplomacy.

My doctoral degree provided me with a solid ability to structure reasoning, rigorously verify facts, process complex technical information, and produce reliable and well-argued analyses. The doctorate proved to be a powerful tool for adaptation, particularly in a demanding field such as industrial expertise.

My vision of the role of ambassador

Being a PhD ambassador means advocating for an excellence-driven program that remains underappreciated outside academia in France. In Île-de-France, where prestigious universities, renowned research laboratories, and a dense, diverse economic ecosystem coexist, this role takes on special significance.

I see this mission as a bridge between PhD holders and socioeconomic stakeholders, aiming to highlight the unique skills developed through doctoral training: autonomy, rigor, critical thinking, the ability to solve complex problems, managing uncertainty, synthesis, and clear communication. These qualities are invaluable far beyond academic research, particularly in environments where nuanced analysis and informed decision-making are essential.

Through my own career, I have observed that companies - especially SMEs and mid-sized enterprises in France - often remain distant from the PhD experience, simply because they lack familiarity with it and associate it exclusively with academic researchers in university labs.

Within my company, I actively promote the value of the PhD by embodying, on a daily basis, the example of a fully integrated professional with operational and managerial responsibilities. This is a concrete way to shift perceptions of the PhD in a private firm, demonstrating that this training is an asset for demanding, real-world professions - not just a specialization reserved for fundamental research.

In this context, the ambassador’s role is also that of a cultural mediator and an engaged advocate: it involves changing perceptions, leading by example, sparking interest, and convincing stakeholders that PhD holders have a vital role to play in driving transformation, innovation, and excellence in businesses and regions.

Spotlight on the Alumni Doctors' Club

Since the establishment of the Sorbonne University PhD Alumni Club in 2019, I have been one of its active members.

The club works to promote the value of the PhD and build bridges between PhD holders, academia, and professional sectors through thematic conferences, mentoring programs, informal networking, and more.