Postdoctoral researcher (H/F) :Thermophysical characterisation of bio-sourced Phase Change Mate[...]

Artois University; France; Sur place; EUR 24 000 - 36 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prominent university in France is offering a PhD position focused on decarbonization and energy performance of heat pumps. Candidates will work on innovating indoor propane heat pumps by integrating storage with bio-sourced phase change materials. The role requires strong research contributions and will significantly impact noise reduction in the heating sector. Applications are due by 29 Nov 2025.

Qualifications

• Candidates must provide a CV and a description of their research activities.
• The cover letter should include a brief scientific positioning on the subject.
• Submissions should include reports from the PhD defense and a letter of recommendation.

Responsabilités

• Integrate storage with phase change materials into the evaporator of an indoor propane HP.
• Model and optimize the hybrid evaporator for performance.
• Limit calculation times linked to annual dynamic simulations.

Formation

PhD in relevant field

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Artois University Research Field Engineering » Other Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 29 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Decarbonization is a major climate issue that involves a very high use of heat pumps (HP) in the building sector, as well as the use of low GWP refrigerants. The development of HPs is constrained by size, aesthetics and acoustics, particularly for HPs on outdoor air which are the most widespread (reduced cost). This project proposes to integrate storage with phase change materials (bio-sourced PCM) into the evaporator of an indoor propane HP in order to improve flexibility and energy performance as has already been widely studied and to reduce the flow of outdoor air (heat recovery possible outside of heat pump operating periods) which currently leads to significant noise pollution. The objective is to halve the air flow leading to a 10dB(A) reduction in acoustic power. This point is the reason for the MOTUS project, which has never been considered in the very many scientific publications associating HP and PCM. Given the restricted operating temperature ranges of the HP, storage with PCM will be considered. The MOTUS project aims to improve the characterization of bio-sourced PCMs using a flux-metric bench, particularly in the case of PCMs with supercooling subjected to partial fusion-solidification cycles corresponding to more realistic operating modes. The modeling and optimization of the hybrid evaporator will aim to limit the calculation times linked to annual dynamic simulations. We will optimize an air-water HP using a multi-criteria approach, providing the heat (heating and DHW) and cooling needs. The decision parameters will correspond to the sizing of the air heater and the hybrid evaporator. The performance functions will include the reduction of the air flow (noise pollution), the cost, the SCOP and the size.

The candidates are required to provide the following documents:

• CV
• Description of the research activities (1-2 pages max) including a short description of the best (theoretical or practical) contribution(s). Web links to the contributions should be provided;
• Cover letter including a brief scientific positioning on the proposed subject;
• The reports from the PhD defense;
• At least one letter of recommendation