PhD position at IFP Energies nouvelles (Lyon) : Scale-up of bioreactors

Organisation/Company IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) Research Field Engineering > Chemical engineering Engineering > Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number IFPEN-01 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Chemical / Mechanical Engineering of multiphase fluids

Scale-up of bioreactors through characterization of gas phase hydrodynamics and Euler-Euler numerical approach

The PhD is part of a Franco-German co-funded project between IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) at Lyon and the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), focusing on the modelling of gas/liquid flows in industrial bioreactors. It aims to use new experimental techniques as well as advanced numerical approaches to improve CFD simulation tools and their application for the scale-up of bioreactors.

Objectives

• Characterize the hydrodynamics of the gas phase in bioreactors at different scales (20Là15m3)
• CFD simulation of gas/liquid flow using the Eulerian approach (two-fluid model)
• Comparison between the Eulerian approach and the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) with Lagrangian bubble tracking, in collaboration with TUHH
• Improvement of closure laws for the two-fluid model based on novel experiments and LBM simulations

Academic supervisor

Doctoral School

IFPEN, Lyon, France | 4-month stay at TUHH, Hamburg, Germany

Duration and start date

3 years, preferably starting between April to November 2026

Employer

IFPEN

Funding

ANR (PRCI)

Qualifications

Master’s degree in fluid mechanics, chemical engineering, applied mathematics, or numerical simulation

Other requirements

Knowledge of multiphase flows; strong skills in CFD; Familiar with CFD tools, preferably Ansys Fluent; skills in experimentation (fluid analysis, flow characterization); interest in applied research; rigorous and autonomous; problem-solving skills; eager to learn; communication skills

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here above.

IFP Energies nouvelles is a French public-sector research, innovation and training center. Its mission is to develop efficient, economical, clean and sustainable technologies in the fields of energy, transport and the environment. For more information, see our WEB site .

IFPEN offers a stimulating research environment, with access to first in class laboratory infrastructures and computing facilities. IFPEN offers competitive salary and benefits packages. All PhD students have access to dedicated seminars and training sessions.