Description of the thesis topic

This doctoral research project will be carried out as part of a TANDEM project co-financed by the Pays de la Loire Region and SAFRAN in 2024.
Many aeronautical parts are coated with hard chromium plating, a versatile and inexpensive coating that provides corrosion resistance. However, it is not compatible with current environmental standards. Safran is developing an alternative, transition metal nitride thin films: tantalum nitride thin films offer excellent corrosion resistance in harsh environments, while vanadium nitride thin films are chemically and thermally stable. The magnetron sputtering process produces dense, homogeneous layers, significantly increasing the corrosion resistance of the coatings compared with other methods.
The aim of this thesis is to exploit advanced numerical methods to anticipate the expected properties of these layers and thus reduce the number of experimental tests required. The numerical approaches used are based on crystal structure prediction using AI-derived tools, coupled with DFT calculations, to speed up the exploration of N-Ta and N-V phase diagrams. The ultimate ambition is to be able to propose "tailor-made" compositions for given applications, reducing the need for trial-and-error methods, requiring a large number of experimental trials before arriving at materials with the desired properties.
The PhD student will have the opportunity to acquire solid skills in quantum computation methods, crystal structure prediction methods derived from artificial intelligence, and the latest issues in advanced thermodynamics.

Work Context

The candidate must :
- hold a master's degree in materials science, physical chemistry or equivalent, or an engineering diploma;
- have good oral and written communication skills (French and English);
- be able to analyze and synthesize, and be able to argue;
- ability to work as part of a team;
- a willingness to work in a high-level international environment.

The host laboratory is the Institut des Matériaux de Nantes Jean Rouxel (IMN, UMR 6502, http://www.cnrs-imn.fr). The IMN is a joint research center of the CNRS and Nantes University, with a staff of over 200, including more than 120 permanent staff (professors, CNRS researchers, engineers) and around 80 PhD and post-doctoral students. The PhD student will be supervised by a Research Manager from the Materials Engineering and Metallurgy team (ID2M, IMN) and by Safran Tech staff.

The position is located in a sector covered by the Protection of Scientific and Technical Potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with regulations, that your arrival be authorized by the competent MESR authority.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

Travel outside the region, in particular to the industrial partner (Safran), will take place during the thesis.