The proposed Ph.D. consists in developing a numerical simulation tool to describe the movement of soft fibres (millimetric to nanometric size, aspect ratio 10 to 100) in complex flows (highly confined zones, turbulence). The approach will be based on a coupling between discrete element or molecular dynamics and finite volume methods. The goal is to get an explicit description of elementary processes such as deformation and agglomeration of fibres. This Ph.D. is part of the Tec21 LabEx project on biorefinery aiming at the control of manufacturing processes of cellulose micro- and nano-fibrils (grinding, separation in microchannels, coating by jet)

Collaboration: This work will be carried out in the framework of the Laboratoire d’excellence Tec21 in Grenoble http://www.tec21.fr

Qualifications: Master degree (or equivalent qualification) in mechanics, computational mechanics, numerical methods or applied mathematics. Programming skills will be a plus.
Start date of the position: October 2014.

Financial support: CNRS and Laboratoire d’excellence Tec21.

Application procedure: Suitable, highly-motivated candidates should send electronic applications to Guillaume.Balarac@legi.grenoble-inp.fr. Applications should include a cover letter describing interests and qualifications for the position and a complete curriculum vitae including academic results.

Application deadline: 15 march 2014.