Profile :
Candidates of high level with proven experience in finite element modelling, mechanical properties of composite materials, polymer physics or related topics are invited to apply for a two year postdoctoral position in modelling of mechanical behaviour of biopolymer composite materials.
Brief description of the project
In many applications related to food and none-food uses such as product transformation, biodegradable plastic design, assessment of mechanical properties of biopolymer materials is of major importance. Correlation between mechanical, physical parameters and even chemical functions with structural attributes is essential to attain suitable food texture or challenging and high performance materials. In some biopolymer material as in starch based composites, knowledge of the intrinsic effects and interface properties far exceed the state of the art. Notwithstanding complexity of the correlations, deterministic modelling of physical behaviour coupled to adequate control of product design should bring new insights.
The propjet aims at studying the mechanical properties of starch based materials. In particular, the assessment of the role of interface and phase composition in the overall mechanical response of the composite material is planned with respect to elasto-plastic models suitable to capture main mechanisms in biopolymer materials. Finite element modelling will be used extensively to study the sensitivity of mechanical parameters with respect to structural features of designed composites.
What we offer:
Salary 2150 euros (gross) per month.
Fixed term contract of 2 years.
Highly competitive research environment.
Person specification
Hold or have submitted a PhD in the disciplines related to the post (mechanical and civil engineering, material science, physics but not restricted).
Aged less than 40 years
No previous position at the INRA centre of Nantes.
Publication in leading international journals
ability to work effectively as part of a team
Required skills
Background in mechanical properties of composite materials
Basic knowledge of finite element modelling
Knowledge of physical properties of biopolymer materials is appreciable
Programming experience and use of ANSYS software
Interpersonal and communication skills
Closing date: July 31st 2007
Shortlisting and interviews: before September 2007
Starting date: Autumn 2007 or as soon as possible thereafter.
For informal discussions about this post, please contact Dr Sofiane GUESSASMA (sofiane.guessasma@nantes.inra.fr).
French National Institute for agricultural research (INRA)
Biopolymers Interactions Assemblies (BIA)
Rue de la Géraudière, BP 71627,F-44316 Nantes Cedex 03, France
http://www.nantes.inra.fr/nantes_eng/presentation_de_l_inra_de_nantes/les_unites/biopolymeres_interactions_assemblages_bia
Further details at the INRA website
http://www.international.inra.fr/join_us/positions/post_doctoral_positions/annual_campaign
|