Shaping the Future Beyond Plastics, Injection Molding of Cellulose-Based Materials : focus on d[...]

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IPC est le Centre Technique Industriel français dédié aux plastiques et aux composites, il propose des activités de R&D (projets collaboratifs ou contrats privés), de prestations (services aux entreprises) et de transfert industriel (Actions Collectives). Ce centre technique est accessible à toutes les entreprises, quelles que soient leur taille et leur localisation.

Outil majeur de l’innovation plastique et composite en France , IPC joue un rôle fondamental en matière d’innovation pour améliorer la compétitivité des entreprises de la filière dans les domaines de l’économie circulaire, de l’industrie du futur ou des produits à haute valeur ajoutée.

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Job Information

• Organisation/Company: Centre Technique Industriel de la Plasturgie et des Composites (CT-IPC)
• Department: Research
• Research Field: Drying of fibre pulps
• Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
• Positions: PhD Positions
• Country: France
• Application Deadline: 1st June 2026
• Type of Contract: Temporary
• Job Status: Full-time
• Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe
• Reference Number:
• Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

ENDURE Call for Doctoral Candidate Applicants

To succeed on the ambitious objectives of the European Growth Model, the European moulded fibre products (MFP) industry must have access to a new generation of innovative, entrepreneurial, highly skilled research-oriented cross-disciplinary engineers with direct research experience in: (i) natural fibre material (NFM) engineering; (ii) product design and production engineering of MFPs; (iii) digital manufacturing technologies and Industry 4.0 for MFP industry. The ENDURE Doctoral Network comprising 12 Doctoral Candidates is designed to train this next generation of scientists and engineers.

ENDURE is a new Marie Skódowska-Curie (MSCA) Doctoral Network Programme funded by the European Commission, that brings together 5 universities, 2 RTOs and 8 industry partners for four countries. Find more information at

ENDURE seeks to recruit Doctoral Candidates (DCs) on a full-time basis over three years starting in 2026.

The Doctoral Candidates will be hosted by CT-IPC ( a beneficiary organisation in the ENDURE network, and will be supported by associated partner organizations INSA Lyon ( and LaMCoS laboratory ( ENDURE delivers a unique employability and skills development process for DCs ensuring that they can lead the scientific and technological developments in the European MFP industry.

Host and Workplace Location

CT-IPC and LaMCoS laboratory on the Oyonnax campus of INSA Lyon.

Supervision Details

Primary Supervisor: Prof Pierre Dumont (INSA Lyon, LaMCoS)

Co-supervisors/Mentors: Dr. Thomas Joffre (CT-IPC) and Dr. Florian Martoïa (INSA Lyon, LaMCoS)

Duration and Starting Date: 36 months, starting as early as possible (no earlier than end of January 2026).

Background and Challenges

In the paper industry, drying is a critical stage that affects both the quality of the finished product and energy consumption. When paper pulp is processed using innovative injection moulding, specific flow and compaction conditions alter the spatial distribution of fibres and porosity, as well as the fibre orientation within the moulded parts. These phenomena affect the distribution of residual moisture content within the injection-moulded parts, impacting the drying conditions that determine deformation due to thermomechanical stresses. Modelling these drying phenomena in injection-moulded parts is challenging due to the complexity of the shapes and the heterogeneity of the pulp.

Research Objectives

This thesis aims to investigate the drying phenomena of injection-moulded paper pulp using an approach that combines mechanical and thermal aspects. The objectives are to develop predictive models and optimise the process for industrial applications. The study will adopt an experimental approach alongside numerical modelling.

• Characterisation of paper pulps:
  • Determination of the rheological and thermal properties of the various pulp formulations used in injection moulding;
  • Identification of the effects of composition (fibre content, additives, etc.) on drying and deformation behaviour.
• Drying tests under controlled conditions:
  • Experiments on samples of injected paper pulp, measuring drying curves, moisture distribution and the evolution of deformations (and cracks) induced during drying.
  • Use of characterisation equipment to analyse the structure of the pulps before and after drying, as well as during drying (electron microscopy, in situ drying experiments using X-ray microtomography, etc.).
• Numerical modelling:
  • Development of numerical models based on heat and mass transfer equations in porous media, incorporating capillary phenomena and thermomechanical effects in porous materials, as well as mechanical behaviour laws to simulate part deformation.
  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element method (FEM) software will be used to solve the coupled equations to simulate changes in material properties during drying, taking into account temperature, humidity and airflow conditions.

Industrial Application

The results of this thesis will enable the optimisation of industrial drying processes for injected paper pulp, by proposing energy-efficient and robust solutions. Optimising thermal management and mechanical stresses could also contribute to reducing production costs and improving the durability of finished products.

Profil Recherché

Required applicant profile: Master degree.

Desired Skills

• Experience in Mechanics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Papermaking
• Any peer‑reviewed publications will be considered an advantage.

Secondments

First secondment: Georges Pernoud SAS, approximately 4 months, focusing on mould drying technology.

Second secondment: Technical University of Denmark, approximately 2 months, focusing on drying modelling.

Salary and Funding Information

This is a full‑time Doctoral Candidate (DC) position with a total duration of 36 months with a salary/stipend in accordance with the conditions of the Marie Skódowska‑Curie Actions.

Contact Information

• Thomas Joffre (CT-IPC):
• Pierre Dumont (INSA Lyon, LaMCoS):
• Florian Martoïa (INSA Lyon, LaMCoS):

Application Process

All applications must be submitted by the end of May 2026. The application package should include an application form with eligibility declaration (Word file), supporting materials (curriculum vitae, motivation letter, evidence of qualifications, English language certificate if applicable, two references in a single PDF), and a research proposal (2000 words maximum) based on the applicant’s interpretation of the selected project.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview online between May and June 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have completed a Master's degree or equivalent at the time of start (after January 2026).
• Must not have a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
• Must comply with the mobility rules: not have resided or carried out the main activity in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding recruitment.

Essential Language Requirements

• A native English speaker.
• A non‑native English speaker who has passed the academic IELTS (minimum score: 7.5) or TOEFL internet‑based (minimum score: 113) tests.
• A non‑native English speaker who has completed a Master’s degree through English.

Requirements

Research Field: Thermomechanical properties of bio‑based fibre materials, Materials Science, Papermaking, Injection Moulding.

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent.