Fire-Safe Materials for Space Exploration ‘Development of Materials and Experimental Rigs for T[...]

Centrale Lille Institut; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in France is offering a PhD position focused on developing fire-retardant materials for space environments. This role involves characterizing materials' performance under unique fire risks associated with spacecraft. Ideal candidates should possess a Master’s in a relevant engineering field, have a strong foundation in fire science, and be proficient in English. The position is full-time with a duration of 4 years, starting between April and October 2026.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Aerospace Engineering or a related field.
• Strong background in fire science and thermal analysis.
• Familiarity with data acquisition systems.

Responsabilités

• Develop and characterize fire-retardant (FR) polymers for space conditions.
• Evaluate performance of FR materials in microgravity.
• Conduct thermal and fire testing of materials.

Connaissances

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Strong background in fire science

Proficiency in English

Experience with fire testing equipment

Knowledge of combustion dynamics

Programming skills (e.g., Python, LabVIEW)

Formation

Master Degree or equivalent

Outils

CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)

Fire testing equipment

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Centrale Lille Institut Department UMET Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Mar 2026 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 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

Spacecraft environments, characterized by reduced gravity, lower pressures, and elevated oxygen concentrations, pose unique fire risks. Traditional fire safety approaches are inadequate for these conditions, necessitating groundbreaking research in material science, combustion dynamics, and active/passive fire control. FireSpace will address these challenges through a multidisciplinary approach, combining experimental, numerical, and systems-level analyses.

The scientific objectives of this PhD are:

• Developing and characterizing fire-retardant (FR) polymers for use in spacecraft and space habitats, with an emphasis on materials that can withstand oxygen-rich, low-pressure, and microgravity conditions.
• Evaluating the performance of FR materials in 1g and microgravity conditions, in collaboration with partners conducting experiments in drop towers, parabolic flights, and sounding rockets.
• Optimizing material formulations based on feedback from experimental and numerical simulations to enhance fire safety in space environments.
• Characterizing the thermal and fire behavior of FR materials using advanced techniques (TGA, DSC, FTIR, ss NMR …)
• Participating in designing and constructing experimental rigs for testing the fire behavior of FR materials in microgravity conditions, specifically for use onboard the Airbus A310 ZeroG (parabolic flights).
• Integrating advanced diagnostics in the new rig (e.g., optical sensors, thermal imaging, gas analyzers) to monitor flame spread, material degradation, and combustion products in real-time.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong background in fire science, thermal analysis and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with sensors, data acquisition systems, and real-time monitoring techniques.
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken) for scientific communication.
• Experience with fire testing equipment (e.g., cone calorimeters, oxygen index testers).
• Knowledge of fire-retardant mechanisms, combustion dynamics, fluid mechanics, or thermal analysis.
• Experience with CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Catia) and prototyping tools (e.g., 3D printing, CNC machining).
• Familiarity with microgravity experimentation (e.g., parabolic flights, drop towers).
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB) for data analysis and automation.
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international team.

Personal Attributes

• Innovative and hands-on approach to solving complex engineering challenges.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative research.
• Willingness to travel for experiments and collaborations with international partners.
• Curiosity and creativity in solving complex scientific challenges.

Specific Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and prepare FR materials.
• Conduct thermal and fire testing (e.g., LOI, HOI, cone calorimetry, vertical Bunsen burner tests, TGA, DSC, STA… ) to assess material performance.
• Collaborate with international partners to test materials in microgravity platforms (drop towers, parabolic flights, sounding rockets).
• Contribute to the development of numerical models by providing experimental data on material properties and fire behavior.
• Disseminate results through publications in high-impact journals and presentations at internationalconferences.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering

Additional Information

Contract duration: 4 years

Starting date: between April and October 2026 (some flexibility is allowed)

Selection process

Application process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) to S. Bourbigot and J. Sarazin by emails (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV), (ii) Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing your motivation, research interests, and suitability for the position and (iii) Two recommendation letters