Phd contract : Gas–solid interactions in hydrogen combustion environments: Experiments and modeling for high-temperature materials (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

At the CNRS, on the Futuroscope site, the PPRIME Institute, in collaboration with the University of Arizona (USA), as part of a CNRS–UofArizona PhD Joint Programme, is recruiting a PhD student to study how high-temperature water produced by hydrogen combustion interacts with Ni-based superalloys.


1-CONTEXT and THESIS TOPIC:
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How do reactive high-temperature gases interact with structural materials?
This question is central to many energy and propulsion systems, where structural superalloys are exposed to hot reactive environments containing oxidizing species, water vapor, and radicals. These environments drive complex degradation processes involving heat transfer, species transport (diffusion), oxidation, and microstructural evolution. Yet the coupled mechanisms at the gas–solid interface remain poorly understood.

This PhD project aims to develop a new methodology to study gas–material interactions under reactive environments, combining combustion science, materials science, and numerical modeling (Figure 1-Left). The project develops a canonical setup based on a flat flame burner (Figure 1-Right), exposing superalloy samples to well-characterized gases under controlled temperature, composition, and flow conditions.

This research is part of a new interdisciplinary initiative at Institut Pprime (CNRS – ISAE-ENSMA) at the interface between combustion and high-temperature materials, supported by a recently awarded Chaire de Professeur Junior (CPJ) dedicated to hydrogen propulsion and low-carbon aviation.

A first PhD student has recently started working on the project, focusing on advanced microstructural characterization of exposed superalloys and reference experiments in synthetic environments (TGA). We are now seeking a second PhD candidate with strong interests in numerical modeling to develop physics-based predictive models of gas–solid interactions, while also contributing to experimental campaigns and sample characterization.

2-OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES:
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The objective is to study how high-temperature water produced by hydrogen combustion interacts with Ni-based superalloys, how it penetrates along grain boundaries and contributes to material degradation. The project combines controlled combustion experiments with multidimensional simulations of coupled reactive transport at the gas–solid interface, used to interpret experimental observations and identify key governing mechanisms. These results will support the development of a reduced 1D physics-based model of diffusion–reaction and damage mechanisms. Initial work will focus on identifying characteristic diffusion–reaction timescales in the solid and extracting modeling variables from experimental and microstructural data.

The PhD work will combine:
• canonical combustion experiments exposing superalloy samples to controlled reactive gases
• advanced microstructural characterization (SEM, EBSD, Raman, NanoSIMS, micro-CT)
• multidimensional simulations of gas–solid coupling using an OpenFOAM-based framework


3- PROFILE REQUIRED:
-candidates must hold a Master's degree or an engineering degree,
-fields of study: Fluid mechanics / Combustion / Materials.

Your Work Environment

The project is conducted in close collaboration with the University of Arizona (USA), a leading institution in the field of nickel-based superalloys and additive manufacturing. The PhD student will benefit from a joint international program with extended research stays in both France (ISAE-ENSMA, Institut Pprime) and the United States:
• combustion experiments and exposure campaigns at Institut Pprime (France)
• advanced microstructural characterization and materials processing at the University of Arizona (USA)


The candidate must also register with the Doctoral School of the University of Poitiers (MIMME).

Constraints and risks

-Short-term travel, in France and abroad, is to be expected.
-Longer-term stays (from several weeks to several months) at the University of Arizona are to be expected

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.

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