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

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Post 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 Skłodowska 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 organisations 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.

PhD Enrolment

1st October 2026

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 earliest as possible

Project Objectives

PhD thesis title : Experimental study and modelling of drainage phenomena in paper pulps for their application in injection moulding processes.

Background and challenges

The evolution of environmental requirements and the reduction in the use of plastics derived from fossil resources are driving the development of bio‑based materials. Paper pulps, consisting mainly of cellulosic fibres, represent a promising alternative for the manufacture of complex moulded parts. Injection moulding processes, widely used in the polymer industry, are currently being adapted for aqueous fibre suspensions. However, controlling drainage phenomena, i.e. the separation and removal of the liquid phase under the influence of pressure gradients, remains a major scientific concern. Drainage directly influences the consolidation kinetics, the microstructure, the density and the final mechanical properties of the fibrous parts.

Research objectives

• Rheological and structural characterisation of paper fibre suspensions
  • Study of the rheological behaviour of concentrated fibre suspensions to determine rheological behaviour laws of concentrated fibre suspensions under representative conditions of injection moulding;
  • Analysis of the influence of fibre morphology on these phenomena.
• Experimental study of the drainage of paper fibre suspensions under controlled conditions
  • Development of an experimental apparatus simulating injection conditions (pressure, velocity, geometry);
  • Measurement of drainage kinetics and pressure profiles;
  • Identification of dominant regimes: filtration, consolidation, compression;
  • Determination of the parameters influencing the permeability and compressibility of the fibre mat;
  • Microstructural characterisation (scanning electron microscopy, original in situ drainage tests using X‑ray microtomography).
• Multiscale modelling
  • Development of a coupled flow‑drainage model;
  • Numerical simulation using finite element methods;
  • Parametric analysis and validation of the model by comparison with experimental data.

Industrial application

The expected results are the identification of key parameters governing drainage during injection moulding, and the proposal of a predictive model that can be used to aid in the design of moulds for manufacturing parts via paper pulp injection moulding. This thesis will also contribute to a better understanding of the consolidation properties of compressible bio‑based fibre materials.

Applicant Profile

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

The applicant will undertake two secondments. The first will be with an industrial partner to be defined, approximately 4 months, and will focus on mould drying technology. The secondment will be with Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), approximately 2 months, and will focus on fibre pulp characterisation.

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 Skłodowska‑Curie Actions.

Contact

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