Postdoctoral position Research and Validation of Passive Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques for Phase-Change Processes through High-Temperature Testing and Thermal Simulations: Application to Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (REVEST)

Affiliation: IMT Nord Europe

Unit : CERI Energie Environnement

Hierarchical supervisor : Directrice du Centre Énergie Environnement

Nature of employment : postdoctorat (CDD, duration : 13 months)

Workplace : IMT Nord Europe, campus Lahure, 764 boulevard, 59500 Douai, France

1. General context

As an engineering school under the supervision of the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance, Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, and a member of the Institut Mines-Télécom, IMT Nord Europe pursues three main missions: training responsible engineers capable of addressing the major challenges of the 21st century; conducting research leading to high value-added innovations; supporting regional development, notably by facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship. Its objective is to train the engineers of tomorrow, equipped with both advanced digital technologies and industrial expertise. Ideally located at the crossroads of Europe at 1 hour from Paris, 30 minutes from Brussels, and 1h30 from London, IMT Nord Europe aims to become a major player in the industrial, digital, and environmental transformations of the 21st century, combining engineering sciences and digital technologies in both its teaching and research activities.

With two main teaching and research sites in Lille and Douai, IMT Nord Europe benefits from over 20,000 m² of laboratory facilities supporting high-level education and world-class research in the following fields[1]:

·         Digital Systems

·         Energy & Environment

·         Materials & Processes

For more details, please consult the school’s website: imt-nord-europe.fr.

The position is hosted by the Energy and Environment Education, Research and Innovation Center (CERI EE). The successful candidate will join the Energy, Fluids and Heat Transfer research axis, whose activities focus on the enhancement of transport phenomena in thermo-fluid systems, thermal energy storage, and complex fluids for applications in process engineering and energy systems, with a strong emphasis on supporting the decarbonization of society.

The REVEST project is funded by the Hauts-de-France Region and has been endorsed by several French competitiveness clusters. It provides an outstanding research environment combining experimental development, scientific excellence, and technology transfer in close collaboration with regional innovation stakeholders.

2. Scientific Project

2.1 Context

The REVEST project builds upon previous research conducted during a doctoral dissertation completed within the laboratory and the INNO-REV [2]project.

Its objective is to develop and validate innovative passive techniques for improving the performance of latent thermal energy storage systems based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs).

The project relies on a unique high-temperature experimental facility developed during the PhD project INNO-REV and currently in its final development stage. This platform will serve as a reference facility for evaluating the performance of novel passive heat transfer enhancement geometries; generating high-quality experimental datasets and validating numerical models developed within the laboratory.

2.2 Responsibilities

The successful postdoctoral researcher will join a research team developing a unique experimental platform at the regional level and will be responsible for its final development.

The main tasks include: completing the instrumentation and data acquisition system of the experimental facility; designing and conducting experimental campaigns to characterize the performance of various passive heat transfer enhancement techniques; analyzing the experimental data and comparing the results with numerical models developed within the research team; contributing to the optimization of the investigated enhancement geometries; disseminating research outcomes through publications in leading international journals and presentations at international conferences; participating in technology transfer and valorization activities in collaboration with the laboratory's innovation and technology transfer offices.

[1] Pour plus de détails, consulter le site internet de l’Ecole : https://imt-nord-europe.fr/

[2] Développement d’unités de stockage thermique latent INNOvantes pour la  REcupération et la Valorisation de la chaleur fatale basse et moyenne températures

2.3 Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in Thermal Sciences, Energy, Fluid Mechanics, or a closely related discipline. The ideal candidate should possess:

·         Strong background in heat transfer and fluid mechanics;

• Significant experience in the design and implementation of experimental research;

• Proficiency in scientific instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and experimental data processing;

• Ability to conduct independent research while working effectively within a multidisciplinary research team;

·         Excellent scientific writing skills and strong proficiency in spoken and written English.

Experience with numerical simulation tools (CFD and/or thermal modelling) will be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Previous experience in the following areas will be highly appreciated: Heat exchangers; thermal energy storage; phase Change Materials (PCMs); thermal instrumentation and measurements.

2.4 Employment Conditions

The position is available from 1 December 2026 for a period of 13 months under a fixed-term research contract. The research will be carried out within the Energy and Environment Research Centre.

2.5 Contact Information

For further information regarding the position, please contact: Dr. Jules Voguelin SIMO TALA, Assistant Professor at CERI EE, Douai, France Email: jules-voguelin.simo.tala@imt-nord-europe.fr

Application Procedure: Applicants are invited to submit: a detailed curriculum vitae; letters of recommendation; a cover letter explicitly referring to position no later than 10 September 2026.