PhD Position (M/F): Development of Chemical Vapor Deposition in the Si-C-Al-N System for Electric Blackbody Radiators Operating in Corrosive Atmospheres

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The development of blackbody electric radiators represents a breakthrough solution for decarbonizing high-temperature industrial furnaces. To surpass the capabilities of natural gas burners, these radiators must operate at up to 1600°C in corrosive gas atmospheres, requiring materials and assemblies with optimized radiative and mechanical properties. In this context, the IMPALA project, led by an academic and industrial consortium, aims to develop SiC-based radiators to decarbonize industrial furnaces by combining multiscale modeling, refractory coatings, and real-world oxidation resistance testing.
Within this framework, the PhD thesis focuses on the development of Si-C-Al-N-based multilayer coatings optimized for ultra-high-temperature applications. This work will combine chemical vapor deposition (CVD) synthesis, advanced structural characterization, and multiphysics modeling to understand and control the relationships between microstructure, radiative properties, and in-service performance.

Expected Results:
-Mapping of the relationships between microstructure (porosity, phases, grain size) and radiative properties/emissivity for the Si-C-Al-N system.
-Study of the integration of Si-C-Al-N-based coatings into a bondcoat/functional layer/topcoat multilayer structure.
-Predictive model for the evolution of stresses and oxide growth as a function of temperature, time, and multilayer architecture.
-Validated multilayer architecture through laboratory and real-world tests, demonstrating that it meets industrial performance requirements.

Qualifications:
Applicants must hold a two-year Master's degree (or equivalent, e.g., a five-year engineering degree) in Materials Science, Process Engineering, or a related field.

Required Skills:
Critical thinking, Research protocol design, Presentation skills, Teamwork, Time management, Organization, Interdisciplinary approach, Fluent English (written and spoken). Strong skills in numerical methods and statistical analysis are essential

Your Work Environment

The SIMaP (Science and Engineering of Materials and Processes – UMR 5266), a joint research laboratory of CNRS/Grenoble INP/Université Grenoble Alpes, is a center of excellence in materials science and innovative processes. It covers a wide range of fields, from metallurgy to nanomaterials, including energy materials, and is equipped with state-of-the-art research facilities. The PhD thesis is part of the IMPALA project : https://www.pepr-spleen.fr/projet/impala/.

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

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.

CNRS

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