Internship Master 2: Development of Bio-based Panels from Straw

IMT Mines Alès, a prestigious graduate school ranked among the best engineering schools nationally and globally, is located in Alès, a human-sized city, the capital of the Cévennes, where the quality of life is highly appreciated by its inhabitants.

Founded in 1843, IMT Mines Alès currently has 1400 students (including 250 foreigners) and 380 staff members. The school has 3 high-level scientific and technological research and teaching centers, which operate in the fields of materials and civil engineering (C2MA), environment and risks (CREER), artificial intelligence and industrial and digital engineering (CERIS). It has 12 technological platforms and 1600 partner companies. To learn more: https://www.imt-mines-ales.fr

Context:

The internship to be filled is part of the European Best-Crop project, involving 18 partners across Europe: https://www.bestcrop.eu/ The goal of which is to contribute to the development of the circular economy by offering new barley varieties with improved yields (perspective article – Best-Crop project). One of the project's work packages consists of providing barley straw with optimized composition and/or structure for various applications, including, among others, the construction sector (manufacturing of particle boards and biocomposites).

Within the framework of this project, the PCH team is tasked with studying the influence of the selection and fractionation of straw from different barley varieties, as well as studying the microstructure and mechanical behavior of bio-based panels produced by hot pressing.

Objectives:

The internship consists of implementing straw panels, optimizing the manufacturing process, and evaluating the variability of observed mechanical and insulation behaviors in relation to the composition and morphology of the straw to develop high-performance panels. The work will also contribute to completing the extensive database on lignocellulosic-reinforced panels developed in the laboratory.

You will find more information about the internship here: https://partage.imt.fr/index.php/s/nRzezN9XJz7gYLS

Skills and Knowledge:

• Student in a BAC+5 program (Master 2) in Materials Science and Engineering, Polymers, and Composites

• Knowledge in the field of plant fiber biocomposites

• Scientific production (writing publications, posters, oral presentations...)

Conditions:

The internship is planned for a duration of 6 months starting from February 2027

Application deadline: 20/11/2026

An interview of approximately 45 minutes (possible via video conference) to discuss your background, your motivation, your skills, and your professional project.

You will need to submit a file including:

1. Detailed CV

2. Motivation letter explaining your interest in the subject and your skills

3. M1 and M2 transcripts (or equivalent)

Contacts:

• Clément LACOSTE, Teacher-Researcher, Nicolas LE MOIGNE, Teacher-Researcher,