Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Université Grenoble Alpes
- Department: Isère
- Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering; Engineering » Materials engineering; Physics » Applied physics
Offer Description
Context: This project aims to develop an innovative hybrid freezing process that combines gas hydrate formation with the freezing of food products to achieve higher-quality frozen goods while reducing energy consumption. Gas hydrates are crystalline compounds composed of water molecules that resemble ice in appearance; consequently, they can be used—much like ice—to reduce water mobility and activity within the products. Hydrates are stable at temperatures above water freezing and form small crystals, offering advantages in terms of both energy efficiency (given the high energy demands of water freezing) and product quality. The main objective of this project to qualify the hybrid hydrate/ice freezing process, specifically by determining optimal operating conditions and evaluating the potential of this new method. This will be achieved in a national project by combining various complementary approaches: (i) a thermodynamic approach to select hydrates and their equilibrium conditions; (ii) a thermal approach to characterize crystallization kinetics; (iii) X-ray microtomography to understand phase distribution (crystals, liquid) within the porous food matrix; (iv) a numerical approach to simulate hydrate and ice crystal formation within food products; and (v) a multi-criteria assessment to evaluate the new process's environmental impact and acceptability.
Objective: In that context, based on data obtained via X-ray microtomography, the objective of this post doc position is to develop a multi-scale model to simulate coupled phenomena (mechanics, heat and mass transfer, phase change, etc.) to predict hydrate formation and distribution in foods. This model will combine models from the literature with those developed by the partners. It will be implemented in a finite element code (a priori using Comsol Multiphycis) to define and select optimal hybrid freezing scenarios and to evaluate the influence of various parameters (porous medium, hydrates, etc.) on this hybrid freezing process.
Requireds qualifications: As this subject is based primarily on multi-scale modelling and numerical simulations, a sound knowledge of physics and computational mechanics is required. Proficiency in numerical simulations using COMSOL Multiphysics is also essential.
Location and practical aspect: The post-doc will be based at the 3SR Laboratory in Grenoble and will develop her/his work in close collaboration with other laboratories involved in the ANR project "Foodhydrates" located in Paris. She/he will interact with experimentalists developing experiments at various scales to validate the models and simulations. She/he will work under the supervision of C. Geindreau and A. Naillon.
Gross salary: approximatively 3000 €/month depending on the experience.
Start date, duration and application procedure: The post is expected to commence between October 2026 and January 2027, for a period of 12 months. A 12-month extension is possible. Applications will be considered until the post is filled. Candidates should send a covering letter and their CV to the following address, stating ‘Post-doc hydrates candidate’ in the subject line: Antoine.Naillon@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
Where to apply
E-mail: antoine.naillon@univ-grenoble-alpes.fr
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering » Materials engineering — Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Engineering » Mechanical engineering — Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Physics » Applied physics — Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Laboratoire 3SR - Université Grenoble Alpes
- Country: France
- State/Province: Isère
- City: Saint Martin d'Hères
- Postal Code: 38400
- Street: 1270 rue de la piscine
Contact
Website: https://3sr.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/; https://www.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/
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