He was appointed professor at University of Paris VI: Pierre et Marie Curie in 1975 and Senior Member of the Institut Universitaire de France in 1995.
He has pioneered a molecular approach to heterogeneous catalysis, based on transition elements taken as probes, specific isotopes and physical techniques, which provided him with an original position in the field.
His studies have largely contributed to improve understanding of the elementary processes involved in laboratory/industrial catalysis, and particularly water-mediated assemblies in catalyst preparation.
[citation needed] Michel Che's awards include: J. H. Van't Hoff (Netherlands), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (Japan), M. Sklodowska-Curie and P. Curie (Poland), A. Joannides and P. Sue (France), Von Humboldt – Gay-Lussac (Germany).
He is Doctor honoris causa of several universities (Cracow, Poland; Lisbon, Portugal; Bucharest, Romania) and member of several high-ranking academies (e.g.