Research Engineer: Syngas Purification Chain Analysis (M/F) - 18-month fixed-term contract

JOB ENVIRONMENT:

A ministerial engineering school in charge of industry, IMT Mines Albi is a school of the Mines-Télécom Institute, the leading group of engineering and management schools in France. At the forefront of industrial and academic challenges on the international stage, it acts as a territorial scientific and economic driver by combining its 4 missions - training engineers by integrating the dynamics of sustainable development, conducting scientific research, contributing to economic development, and disseminating the culture of science, technology, and innovation - into a virtuous and innovation-driving cycle.

Its positioning in terms of training and research makes IMT Mines Albi a benchmark school for three of IMT's four thematic areas: responsible future industry, energy, circular economy and society, and engineering, health and well-being.

In 2023, IMT Mines Albi adopted a strategic plan for a five-year period, broken down into 7 major actions, thus responding to the strategic orientations of the IMT group to which it belongs.

The position is open within the RAPSODEE center (Research in Albi on Particulate Solids Engineering, Energy and Environment) UMR CNRS 5302 of IMT Mines Albi, as part of the collaboration project with GRDF on the integration of new renewable gases into the natural gas network.

The activities of the RAPSODEE center are structured into two research groups in the fields of energy, environment, and particle engineering with a particular focus on sustainable processes: more intense, more energy-efficient, more environmentally friendly, and safer. The VALTHERA platform is attached to the RAPSODEE center. The work carried out on the platform is mainly at pilot scale and focuses on thermochemical processes for the production of renewable energies.

GRDF is the manager of the largest gas distribution network in Europe. GRDF is committed to decarbonization, with a desire to increase the production of renewable gas fivefold to reach 20% renewable gas in the GRDF network by 2030, but also to help gas consumers reduce their carbon footprint. In this context, GRDF wishes to strengthen its knowledge and mastery of syngas purification processes, a key step to ensure its compatibility with methanation processes and, ultimately, the production of methane that meets the requirements for injection into the gas network.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

As a research engineer, you will join a team comprising engineers, technicians, and researchers working on thermal processes for biomass and waste valorization.

The project you will develop aims to analyze the different purification technologies to be integrated into a global syngas purification chain. The purification chain has a significant impact on the investment and operational costs of the biogas production process through the gasification of biomass or waste. It is essential to simplify the purification scheme and try to minimize effluent generation to reduce the costs of unit operations. The choice of technological components depends on the quality of the syngas produced, which in turn depends on the feedstock used, the gasifier technology, and the operating conditions.

The project does not include experimental work. It will be based exclusively on bibliographic analysis and 0D modeling of the purification chain. The modeling will be carried out using commercial software and, ideally, using open-source software.

The main tasks the successful candidate will be responsible for are:

· Performing a state-of-the-art review of the different biogas treatment and purification technology components, as well as the different existing chains in the literature.

· Better understanding the impact of feedstock composition on the quality of the gas leaving the gasifier and its impact on the purification chain.

· Identifying technical roadblocks, uncertainties, and knowledge gaps limiting the mastery of the different technological components.

· Proposing purification chain models (0D simulation) to establish mass and energy balances and estimate the overall process performance.

· Identifying criteria to guide the choices for constructing an operational chain.

· Participating in project monitoring meetings and writing meeting minutes.

· Writing project reports in French and scientific publications in English, and creating presentation materials.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES:

This position requires skills in process engineering, thermal processes, thermodynamics, and process modeling. The candidate must have experience in 0D process modeling. Knowledge and practice of one or more free or commercial process simulation software will be considered a plus.

The candidate must be rigorous, possess strong analytical skills, and be able to work autonomously within a team. Bibliographic analysis and writing skills are essential for this position.

PROFILE SOUGHT:

· You hold a doctorate.

BEYOND THE PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT, WHY JOIN US?:

· Pleasant working environment on a 22-hectare campus.

· 49 days of leave per year.

· On-site administrative catering.

· Sustainable mobility assistance for commuting.

· Social action (supplementary social protection and family assistance).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Nature and duration of the contract: 18-month fixed-term contract

• For internal use:

Position category and reference job: Category II, Job R – Research Engineer

• Job location: IMT Mines Albi

• Application deadline: 26/11/2026

• Desired start date: 01/01/2027

• Remuneration is set according to the candidate's profile (job, age, employment path, salary guarantee duration), based on the rules defined by the management framework of the Mines Télécom Institute.

• Positions offered for recruitment are open to all, with, upon request, accommodations for candidates with disabilities.

• Position open to holders of Category A of the civil service and/or contractual employees.

Contacts:

o On the job content: F. Javier ESCUDERO SANZ, Assistant Professor (o On administrative/HR aspects: Laura OLIVIER, HR Manager (