PhD student (M/F) : Understanding pollutant formation in Sustainable Aviation Fuel combustion using advanced laser diagnostics

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Scientific project:
The aeronautical sector faces a major challenge in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Sustainable
Aviation Fuels (SAF), produced from biomass or zero-carbon electricity sources, represent a shortterm
solution to reduce aviation CO₂ emissions while remaining compatible with existing combustion
chambers. However, SAF exhibit significant variability in chemical composition depending on
feedstock and production pathways. This variability directly affects flame dynamics, combustion
operability, and pollutant formation.
Recent studies indicate that variations in aromatic content, volatility and evaporation behaviour
strongly influence ignition, flame stabilization and emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and soot
particles. Despite increasing industrial deployment of SAF, the physical mechanisms linking fuel
composition to combustion performance remain poorly understood.
The SAFARI industrial chair project, conducted jointly by CentraleSupélec–CNRS EM2C laboratory and
the SAFRAN group, aims to provide fundamental understanding and predictive tools for future
aeronautical combustion systems through coordinated experimental and numerical research.
Within this framework, the present PhD plays a central role in developing experimental diagnostics
and reference databases for pollutant formation..
PhD objectives
The objective of the PhD is to understand and quantify the relationship between SAF-like fuel
composition and pollutant emissions (NOx and soot) in controlled combustion configurations.
The work will focus on:
• Defining representative SAF-like fuel blends with controlled aromatic content and distillation
properties to isolate composition effects.
• Developing and operating the PREVAP experimental burner, designed to study pre-vaporized
fuels independently from evaporation effects.
• Implementing advanced laser diagnostics for quantitative measurements of soot and NO
emissions.
• Performing parametric experimental studies under premixed and non-premixed conditions.
• Building a high-quality experimental database for CFD model validation.
• Identifying key physical mechanisms governing pollutant formation in SAF combustion.
Measurements will rely on high-frequency optical diagnostics including laser extinction and laser
absorption spectroscopy, allowing quantitative characterization of pollutant formation dynamics.
Candidate profile
The EM2C laboratory is looking for highly motivated candidate with:
• MSc or Engineering degree in:
o Mechanical engineering
o Combustion / Energetics
o Physics or Fluid mechanics
• Strong interest in experimental research and physical analysis.
• Background in one or more of:
o fluid mechanics,
o combustion,
o laser diagnostics,
o experimental physics.
Good communication skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team are essential.

Your Work Environment

This PhD project will be part of the SAFARI program, an industrial chair jointly supported by SAFRAN and the CNRS, involving around ten PhD students, research teams from the laboratory, and SAFRAN teams.
The EM2C Laboratory (CNRS/INSIS and Université Paris-Saclay/CentraleSupélec, http://em2c.centralesupelec.fr/) conducts high-level academic research in energy and combustion, as well as applied studies in partnership with leading companies and research centers in the fields of transportation and energy. Through these activities, the laboratory makes a significant contribution to advancing knowledge on critical challenges related to both climate and the environment.
To address these challenges, the laboratory's research activities are structured around three main areas: Combustion, Non-equilibrium Plasmas, and Transport Phenomena, along with a transversal initiative in Applied Mathematics.
You will be integrated into the Combustion research area. As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the SMEMAG Doctoral School (ED 579 – Mechanical and Energy Sciences, Materials and Geosciences).
The EM2C Laboratory comprises approximately 45 permanent staff members (researchers, faculty members, and research support staff), as well as around 35 PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, interns, and visiting professors.
SAFARI Chair: https://www.centralesupelec.fr/fr/le-programme-safari-laureat-du-programme-de-chaires-industrielles-de-lagence-nationale-de-la

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

The research professions