Postdoctoral Position – Pilot-Scale Gasification Trials - CDD 12 months

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :

As a school under the Ministry of Industry, IMT Mines Albi is part of the Institut Mines-Télécom, France’s leading group of engineering and management schools. At the forefront of industrial and academic challenges on the international stage, it serves as a scientific and economic driver for the region by combining its four missions—training engineers with a focus on sustainable development, conducting scientific research, contributing to economic development, and promoting a culture of science, technology, and innovation—into a virtuous cycle that fosters innovation.

Its positioning in education and research establishes IMT Mines Albi as a leading institution in three of the IMT’s four thematic areas: the responsible industry of the future, energy, the circular economy, and society; as well as engineering, health, and well-being.

In 2023, IMT Mines Albi adopted a five-year strategic plan broken down into seven major initiatives, thereby aligning with the strategic priorities of the IMT Group, to which it belongs.

The position is available at the RAPSODEE Center (Albi Research Center for Process Engineering of Divided Solids, Energy, and the Environment), UMR CNRS 5302 at IMT Mines Albi, as part of the Carnot AVIACAR project

The RAPSODEE Center’s activities are organized into two research groups in the fields of energy, the environment, and particle engineering, with a particular focus on sustainable processes: more efficient, more energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer. The VALTHERA platform is part of RAPSODEE Center. The work carried out on the platform is primarily conducted on a pilot scale and focuses on thermochemical processes for the production of renewable energy.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will join a team of engineers, technicians, and faculties working on thermal processes for the valorisation of biomass and waste. The job focuses on work at the semi-industrial scale. You will work on the 100-kW pilot-scale downdraft gasification unit shown in Figure 1. The activities carried out as part of this postdoctoral position will focus on adapting this biomass gasification unit to operate in a nitrogen-free atmosphere. The absence of nitrogen is a key factor in converting this synthesis gas into storable fuels such as biomethane or sustainable liquid fuels for aviation (SAF) or maritime applications.

Figure 1. Downdrat 100kW unit

The candidate will contribute on final modifications to the pilot unit, including the injection of a nitrogen-free atmosphere (a mixture of O2, H2O, and CO2), and to conduct experimental work on the gasification unit. The candidate will also be responsible for performing the analyses necessary to characterize the products and the process.

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to project meetings and the writing of scientific publications.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

This position requires expertise in process engineering, thermal processes, and analytical chemistry. Familiarity with sensors and analyzers communication protocols would be an advantage. Experience on experimental work at the pilot or industrial scale will be particularly helpful; particularly any experience solving various problems that require both knowledge across different fields (mechanical, electrical, automation, etc.) and practical common sense.

The candidate must demonstrate rigour, strong analytical skills, and should be able to work independently as part of a team. Writing skills will also be valued for the scientific dissemination phase of the work.

JOB PROFILE :

• The candidate must hold a Ph.D.

• The candidate must have no more than three years of experience after PhD defence.

WORKING ENVIRONNEMENT AND BENEFITS ? :

• A pleasant 22-hectare campus

• You may choose among 3 weekly working times:

• 49 days of paid leave per year

• Restaurant in campus

• Daily public transportation financial support

• Type of contract: 12 month fixed-term contract

• Application deadline : 20 September 2026

• Starting date : December 2026 or January 2027 at the latest

For internal use only:

• Job category and reference position: Category II, Reference Position P – Postdoctoral Researcher

• Reference positions eligible to apply: All categories

Contacts :

o   concerning the position : F. Javier ESCUDERO SANZ (jescuder@mines-albi.fr)

o   for administrative enquiries: Laura OLIVIER (laura.olivier@mines-albi.fr)