PhD Position: Inductive heating of Structured Catalytic Reactors (M/F)
New
- FTC PhD student / Offer for thesis
- 36 month
- BAC+5
This offer is available in English version
This offer is open to people with a document recognizing their status as a disabled worker.
Offer at a glance
The Unit
Catalyse, Polymérisation, Procédés et Matériaux
Contract Type
FTC PhD student / Offer for thesis
Working hHours
Full Time
Workplace
69616 VILLEURBANNE
Contract Duration
36 month
Date of Hire
01/10/2026
Remuneration
2300 € gross monthly
Apply Application Deadline : 08 July 2026 23:59
Job Description
Thesis Subject
Background
As part of the ANR DISC project (ANR-25-CE51-5071), we aim to conduct an in-depth study of the combination of selective radiofrequency heating (magnetic induction) with structured catalytic materials. This project deals with the broader context of energy efficiency, process electrification, and intensification of highly energy-demanding chemical processes, which often involve endothermic catalytic reactions operating at elevated temperatures. The use of selective (localized), rapid, and in situ heating of the reaction medium has the potential to significantly improve both the energy efficiency and operational flexibility of such processes, particularly in managing intermittent energy supplies. The structured catalytic object constituting the packing of a fixed-bed reactor will be at the core of this study. This material can be viewed as a multiscale composite consisting of three components: a millimeter-scale structured object (SO); a micrometer-thick mesoporous support coating (MS); and an active phase (AP) dispersed within the support porosity, with characteristic nanometric dimensions. By combining materials that are either sensitive or transparent to radiofrequency fields, this PhD project aims to investigate and optimize the inductive heating of these composite structured beds (SO/MS/AP) for the intensification of a demanding model endothermic catalytic reaction: the dehydrogenation of a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC). This application not only provides an excellent model system for studying highly endothermic processes but may also contribute to the broader deployment of hydrogen (H₂) as a decarbonized energy carrier, potentially produced from renewable electricity.
PhD Objectives
The objectives of this PhD project are to: 1) Prepare and characterize coated structured objects using catalytic formulations developed by the project partners (LPCNO, LCC); 2) Implement and investigate the behavior of these structured objects in a radiofrequency-heated reactor specifically designed for the selected application; 3) Understand and optimize the heat transfer mechanisms involved in order to maximize the process energy efficiency and the stability of the catalytic materials, notably through the implementation of dynamic heating strategies; 4)Contribute to the development of numerical reactor models and address scale-up issues related to the integration of structured catalysts and inductive heating technologies.
Required Skills and Candidate Profile
This PhD project will involve extensive experimental work, including the preparation of catalytic materials (with expertise available within the laboratory), their characterization, and their implementation in dedicated experimental setups. The ideal candidate should have a strong background in catalysis and/or chemical engineering (Master's degree or engineering degree equivalent) and a strong interest in experimental research. Prior experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling tools such as COMSOL, FLUENT, or OpenFOAM would be an asset but is not mandatory. The successful candidate will benefit from a multidisciplinary research environment and collaborate with partners possessing expertise in catalysis, reaction engineering, electromagnetic induction, and numerical modeling and simulation.
Your Work Environment
The PhD is expected to start on October 1st, 2026, for a duration of 36 months. The research will be carried out at CP2M (UMR 5128). The successful candidate will be employed by the CNRS under a fixed-term research contract. Compensation follows the CNRS doctoral salary scale and is currently set at approximately €2,300 gross per month. Additional benefits include: 75% reimbursement of public transportation costs by the employer; 44 days of annual hollidays.
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
2300 € gross monthly
Annual leave and RTT
44 jours
Remote Working practice and compensation
Pratique et indemnisation du TT
Transport
Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€
About the offer
| Offer reference | UMR5128-REGPHI-005 |
|---|---|
| CN Section(s) / Research Area | Fluid and reactive environments: transport, transfer, transformation processes |
About the CNRS
The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.
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