Phd position: cale-up of bioreactors through characterization of gas phase hydrodynamics and Euler-Euler numerical approach

The PhD is part of a Franco-German co-funded project between IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) at Lyon and the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), focusing on the modelling of gas/liquid flows in industrial bioreactors. It aims to use new experimental techniques as well as advanced numerical approaches to improve CFD simulation tools and their application for the scale-up of bioreactors. Objectives: • Characterize the hydrodynamics of the gas phase in bioreactors at different scales (20L15m3) • CFD simulation of gas/liquid flow using the Eulerian approach (two-fluid model) • Comparison between the Eulerian approach and the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) with Lagrangian bubble tracking, in collaboration with TUHH • Improvement of closure laws for the two-fluid model based on novel experiments and LBM simulations Keywords: bioreactor, CFD, Eulerian modelling, Lattice-Boltzmann Method, Doppler velocimetry, optical probes Academic supervisor Dr. Frédéric AUGIER, IFPEN Doctoral School ED162 MEGA, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 IFPEN supervisor Dr. Mohsen SHIEA, mohsen.shiea@ifpen.fr PhD location IFPEN, Lyon, France | 4-month stay at TUHH, Hamburg, Germany Duration and start date 3 years, preferably starting in March 2026 Employer IFPEN Funding ANR (PRCI) Academic requirements Master’s degree in fluid mechanics, chemical engineering, applied mathematics, or numerical simulation Language requirements English level B2 (CEFR) Other requirements Knowledge of multiphase flows; strong skills in CFD; Familiar with CFD tools, preferably Ansys Fluent; skills in experimentation (fluid analysis, flow characterization); interest in applied research; rigorous and autonomous; problem-solving skills; eager to learn; communication skills To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here below. Contact Encadrant IFPEN : Dr. Mohsen SHIEA mohsen.shiea@ifpen.fr