Research Engineer (M/F) in Experimental Systems Development and Advanced Optical Diagnostics for Metal Particle Combustion
Organisation/Company UNIVERSITE D'ORLEANS Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 23 Aug 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Presentation of the project:
The ERC SILEX project aims to advance the understanding of metal particle combustion mechanisms through the development of innovative experimental approaches and state‑of‑the‑art diagnostics. The Research Engineer will join the Combustion Physics group at CNRS-ICARE, an internationally recognized laboratory in combustion science and propulsion. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of unique experimental platforms and advanced optical diagnostic techniques while working in close collaboration with researchers, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and industrial and academic partners.
Presentation of the Service / laboratory:
The CNRS-ICARE laboratory (French National Centre for Scientific Research – Institute of Combustion, Aerothermics, Reactivity and Environment), located in Orléans, France, conducts fundamental and applied research in combustion, energy conversion, plasmas, reactive materials, and their environmental impacts. Through state‑of‑the‑art experimental facilities and strong collaborations with academic and industrial partners, CNRS‑ICARE develops innovative solutions for the energy transition, aerospace, space propulsion, and advanced industrial processes.
Presentation of the missions:
Responsibilities The recruited postdoctoral researcher will work within the framework of the ANR METAFOR project, in collaboration with researchers from the CNRS‑ICARE laboratory, on the topic of metal particle combustion. The main missions will be:
- Experimental study of the combustion of isolated aluminum microparticles to limit alumina nanoparticle formation
- Operate the available experimental setup at CNRS‑ICARE (electrostatic levitator) enabling the stabilization of a single particle.
- Map ignition and combustion times as a function of particle purity and ambient conditions.
- Identify control parameters influencing nano‑oxide formation and establish quantitative relationships between parameters (oxygen content) and observed phenomena.
- Compare experimental data with nucleation, growth, and agglomeration models.
- Development and characterization of a new turbulent burner fed with aluminum microparticles
- Develop a turbulent burner capable of stabilizing a flame fueled by aluminum particles.
- Study stabilization and combustion mechanisms of particles in complex turbulent flows.
- Characterize in detail particle–turbulence interactions under reactive conditions.
- Build an original experimental database on collective combustion processes and their impacts on emissions (nanoparticles, NOx).
Activities
- Design and development of advanced experimental facilities.
- Integration of mechanical, optical and electronic instrumentation.
- Development, implementation and validation of advanced optical diagnostics.
- Calibration and metrological validation of measurement systems.
- Development of acquisition and data‑processing tools.
- Participation in experimental campaigns.
- Maintenance and continuous improvement of laboratory facilities.
- Technical support to researchers, PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.
- Contribution to project reports, scientific publications and conference presentations.
Présentation of the profile:
- PhD or Engineering degree with significant experience in mechanical engineering, energy systems, combustion, optics, scientific instrumentation, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, development, and implementation of complex experimental setups.
- Strong expertise in scientific instrumentation and experimental system integration.
- Experience with advanced optical diagnostics (e.g., high-speed imaging, spectroscopy, pyrometry, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), or related techniques) is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in data acquisition systems, electronic instrumentation, and experimental control software.
- Experience in experimental data processing and analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent programming environments.
- Experience in mechanical design (CAD) and in supervising the fabrication and assembly of experimental equipment is an asset.
- Ability to manage research and development activities independently while working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Good command of scientific English, both written and spoken.
Technical skills / expertise:
- Strong experience in the design and development of complex experimental facilities.
- Excellent knowledge of optical diagnostics applied to reactive flows.
- Experience with scientific instrumentation (lasers, high-speed cameras, photodetectors, data acquisition systems).
- Good understanding of experimental optics and laser alignment.
- Programming and data-processing skills (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW or equivalent).
- Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA or equivalent) would be appreciated.
- Experience in combustion or reactive flow experiments is an asset.
- Strong experimental and technical problem-solving abilities.
- High level of autonomy and initiative.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Strong communication skills in English.
Technical skills / expertise:
- Strong experience in the design and development of complex experimental facilities.
- Excellent knowledge of optical diagnostics applied to reactive flows.
- Experience with scientific instrumentation (lasers, high-speed cameras, photodetectors, data acquisition systems).
- Good understanding of experimental optics and laser alignment.
- Programming and data-processing skills (Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW or equivalent).
- Experience with CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA or equivalent) would be appreciated.
- Experience in combustion or reactive flow experiments is an asset.
- Strong experimental and technical problem-solving abilities.
- High level of autonomy and initiative.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Strong communication skills in English.
Profile qualifications:
- PhD or Engineering degree with significant experience in mechanical engineering, energy systems, combustion, optics, scientific instrumentation, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, development, and implementation of complex experimental setups.
- Strong expertise in scientific instrumentation and experimental system integration.
- Experience with advanced optical diagnostics (e.g., high-speed imaging, spectroscopy, pyrometry, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF), or related techniques) is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in data acquisition systems, electronic instrumentation, and experimental control software.
- Experience in experimental data processing and analysis using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent programming environments.
- Experience in mechanical design (CAD) and in supervising the fabrication and assembly of experimental equipment is an asset.
- Ability to manage research and development activities independently while working effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with strong attention to detail.
- Good command of scientific English, both written and spoken.