Post-doctoral position in geosciences M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Improving mineral recovery efficiency of flotation using Computational Fluid Dynamics

At CNRS, ISTO, We offer a 3-year PhD fellowship to investigate mineral recovery in flotation processes using Computational Fluid Dynamics. The fellowship is part of MINFLOT, a research project funded through the French PEPR “Sous-sol, bien commun” program supported by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR).
The transition toward a low-carbon economy is driving a rapidly growing demand for critical metals such as lithium, tungsten, cobalt, and nickel. These resources must increasingly be recovered not only from primary ores but also from secondary sources, including mining and processing residues. However, conventional mineral-processing technologies still face significant challenges in terms of recovery efficiency, selectivity, and environmental impact. Improving these processes is therefore essential to enable the sustainable production of critical metals and support the ecological and industrial transition.
Flotation is one of the most widely used and effective techniques for separating valuable minerals from gangue. The process relies on the selective modification of mineral surfaces using chemical reagents, followed by the injection of air bubbles. Hydrophobic mineral particles attach to the bubbles and are transported to the surface, where they can be recovered. The efficiency of flotation depends on a complex interplay between fluid flow, bubble dynamics, particle transport, bubble–particle interactions, and surface chemistry, operating across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
The objective of the PhD thesis is to develop a robust, multiscale CFD framework for mechanically agitated flotation reactors. The research will address the coupled hydrodynamic and physicochemical phenomena governing flotation, with particular emphasis on multiphase flow, bubble–particle interactions, particle transport, and flotation kinetics. High-fidelity simulations at the microreactor scale will be used to develop and inform computationally efficient models suitable for larger, industrial-scale flotation systems. The developed framework will provide predictive insight into mineral recovery and flotation efficiency, while elucidating the influence of reactor design, operating conditions, and process parameters. Ultimately, the work will contribute to the optimization and sustainable intensification of flotation processes, in close interaction with the other multiscale modeling and experimental activities of the MINFLOT project.

Your Work Environment

The position is located at the Earth Sciences Institute of Orléans (ISTO) in France. ISTO is a joint research laboratory between CNRS, the University of Orléans, and BRGM located on the Geosciences campus of Orléans close to Paris, France. The Porous Media Research Group develops cutting-edge research and worldwide recognized expertise on multi-scale modelling and microfluidic experiments of multiphase flow and reactive transport in geological formations. Our objective is to decipher the mechanisms involved in the remediation of contaminated groundwater, in the underground storage, and in new energy vectors based on the use of the subsurface

Constraints and risks

You have a Master's degree or equivalent with a major in Fluid Mechanics, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Computational Sciences, Interface and Colloid Sciences. You have a preliminary experience in Computational Fluid Dynamics (e.g. OpenFOAM, Ansys, COMSOL) and are motivated by mathematical derivation and code development. Knowledge of C++ is a plus. You are autonomous and motivated to work in an international environment.
Expected skills: physics, fluid mechanics, geosciences, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), computational sciences, two-phase flow, colloid and interface science, Finite Volume Method, C++.
The candidate will:
• Review the literature on theoretical and numerical models of two-phase flow and particulate transport in flottation reactors,
• Develop multi-scale models for two-phase flow and particle transport,
• Benchmark the model using microfluidic and reactor-scale experiments conducted in parallel in the project consortium,
• Upscale the simulation results to larger scales,
• Publish your results in high-impact journals and participate in international conferences,
• Participate actively to the Porous Media Research Group daily life.

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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