High-entropy alloy matrix composites for hypersonic flight structures

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 30 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research organization is seeking a researcher for a project on hypersonic vehicles, focusing on the impact of ceramic particles in high entropy alloys. The candidate will conduct research, analyze results, and contribute to scientific publications. A Master's degree in a relevant field is required for this full-time position.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant discipline required.
• Skills in analyzing results and writing scientific publications.
• Ability to perform research project activities.

Responsabilités

• Conduct research activities to fulfill project objectives.
• Analyze results and write scientific publications.
• Attend scientific conferences and meetings.

Connaissances

Materials Science

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Chemistry

Formation

Master Degree in Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry

Description du poste

Organisation/Company GT-CNRS IRL-2958 Research Field Engineering » Materials engineering Engineering » Mechanical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 5 Jul 2025 - 23:49 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Over the past decade, there has been a surge in interest in the development of hypersonic vehicles, driven by the desire to increase flight performance and reusability. These vehicles, capable of reaching speeds exceeding Mach 5, are attracting considerable interest due to their potential applications, not only for rapid transport missions, but also for advanced weapons systems, such as hypersonic missiles, which benefit from this technology to penetrate enemy defenses at high speeds. Due to the extremely high speeds and considerable accelerations that these structures must withstand, the choice of materials becomes a major challenge. Aerodynamic compression, combined with intense friction with the atmosphere, generates high-enthalpy gas dynamics, creating extreme thermal conditions. These conditions lead to additional physical phenomena, such as significant thermal gradients and complex energy exchanges between the superheated atmosphere and the vehicle structure, which affect both flight stability and the durability of the materials used in the design of these vehicles, whether they are civilian vehicles or hypersonic weapon systems. This superheated atmosphere results in: high heat fluxes; extreme thermal gradients (ranging from −170 °C to 3,000 °C over distances of the order of 1 cm); high stagnation pressures (~105–107 Pascals); and a destructive plasma due to gas ionization, which accelerates the oxidation of materials. Materials for hypersonic flight structures can be classified into three broad categories: refractory metals, composites, and ceramics. Recent work has focused on their development for propulsion systems, thermoelectric generators, structural materials, and thermal protection. A promising class of metallic materials is the recently developed (high-entropy) multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs).

The objective of the proposed project is to explore in depth the impact of the incorporation of ceramic particles into high entropy alloys (HEAs) and multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), in order to better understand how this addition could influence both mechanical strength (especially in terms of hardness, toughness and fatigue resistance) and thermal stability, key elements for applications in high temperature environments.

This thesis is part of the IDEES 2025 Theses program, supported by the French Defense Innovation Agency (AID)

Subject to funding, currently in phase 2: identification and declaration of the candidate

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

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

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

Skills/Qualifications

The student must be in possession of a Master degree in Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related discipline at the moment of application.

Specific Requirements

• Perform all the activities necessary to fulfil the objectives of the research project

• Analyze the results

• Writing of scientific publications

• Other duties as assigned, attending scientific conferences and meetings.