Phase-Field Modelling of Martensitic Transformation in TRIP Refractory High-Entropy Alloys

Institut Jean Lamour - CNRS - Université de Lorraine; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute in France is offering a PhD position focusing on developing a 3D phase-field model for high-entropy alloys. The successful candidate will need a Master's degree and possess strong skills in metallurgy, materials science, and computational physics. Responsibilities include numerical simulations and analysis of microstructural evolution. Knowledge of Python and data calibration is essential. Interested applicants should email their application.

Qualifications

• Strong background in metallurgy, materials science, solid mechanics, or computational physics.
• High interest in numerical methods and scientific programming.
• Knowledge of phase field modelling is appreciated.

Responsabilités

• Familiarize with an existing multi-phase-field model.
• Extend the existing model to include plastic relaxation of the β matrix.
• Calibrate input parameters from literature data.
• Perform numerical simulations for microstructural evolution analysis.
• Analyse 3D simulation outputs.

Connaissances

metallurgy

materials science

solid mechanics

computational physics

numerical methods

scientific programming

phase field modelling

English

French

Formation

Master Degree or equivalent

Outils

Python

Fortran

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Institut Jean Lamour - CNRS - Université de Lorraine Department Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux et Métallurgie Research Field Physics » Computational physics Physics » Classical mechanics Physics » Thermodynamics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Apr 2026 - 23:00 (Africa/Abidjan) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Apr 2026 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

Context

Refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) and complex concentrated alloys (RCCAs) are subclasses of multi-principal element materials with high strength and thermal stability at both ambient and high temperatures. These alloys, typically formed from transition metals of Groups IV (Ti,Zr,Hf) and V-VI (V,Nb,Ta,Cr,Mo,W) crystallize in a body-centered cubic (β) solid-solution phase. Despite their excellent high-temperature performance, their limited room-temperature ductility and low work-hardening rates has hindered practical applications.

Recent advances have revealed that transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) can significantly improve ductility and work-hardening in certain RHEAs, particularly those containing Group IV elements (Ti, Zr, Hf). Understanding and controlling this TRIP effect is crucial to overcome the strength-ductility trade-off enabling next-generation high-temperature structural materials.

Scientific objectives

This internship is part of a broader ANR (French National Research Agency) project “BADTRIP” aimed at understanding the micro-mechanical and microstructural mechanisms governing martensitic transformation in TRIP-type RHEAs at room temperature.

The specific goal of this internship is to develop and validate a 3D phase-field model capable of describing:

• The early stages of martensitic transformation in RHEAs.
• The growth and interaction of martensitic variants within a metastable β matrix.
• The coupling between transformation-induced strains and plastic relaxation of the matrix.

Ultimately, the results will help establish physically based criteria for predicting TRIP behaviour in RHEAs.

• Familiarize yourself with an existing multi-phase-field model for martensitic transformations.
• Extend the existing model to include plastic relaxation of the β matrix.
• Calibrate input parameters (lattice constants, elastic constants, free energies, yield stresses, etc.) from literature data.
• Perform numerical simulations to investigate the effect of mechanical loading on the microstructural evolution.
• Analyse 3D simulation outputs and compare with available experimental data.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Computational physics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Classical mechanics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Thermodynamics Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Strong background in metallurgy, materials science, solid mechanics, or computational physics.
• High interest innumerical methods and scientific programming (e.g. Python, Fortran).
• Knowledge of phase field modelling is appreciated.
• Good written and spoken English and/or French.