Postdoc (M/F) : Microstructural and Mechanical Properties of Foam-Bound Granular Materials

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire Navier Research Field Engineering Physics » Acoustics Engineering » Materials engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 9 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Nov 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The recruited candidate will have the overall mission of studying and optimizing the microstructural and mechanical properties of granular materials bonded by a solidified foam, within the framework of the ANR project BONDINGFOAM.

This mission is structured around four main objectives:

• Design and fabricate foam-bonded granular materials, by controlling formulation parameters, shaping processes, and binder solidification.
• Characterize the microstructure of the materials, with particular emphasis on the distribution of the binder at grain-grain contacts and within the intergranular space.
• Analyze the mechanical behavior of granular assemblies, at both the contact scale and the sample scale.
• Establish links between microstructure and mechanical properties, by combining experimental and numerical approaches, with the aim of optimizing material performance.

Within the scope of these missions, the candidate will be expected to:

• Produce granular samples bonded by a solidified foam, using different types of binders and grains.
• Implement 3D imaging techniques (X-ray microtomography) and exploit image segmentation and analysis tools available within the team.
• Perform mechanical characterizations at different scales and analyze deformation and failure mechanisms.
• Develop and use numerical models to interpret and predict mechanical behavior.
• Carry out a cross-analysis of experimental, microstructural, and numerical results.
• Disseminate scientific results (publications, presentations) and participate in the activities of the ANR project.

Laboratory and host team context: The Navier Laboratory, a joint research unit of ENPC, Université Gustave Eiffel and CNRS, brings together approximately 170 researchers working on the mechanics and physics of materials, structures and geomaterials, with applications notably in civil engineering, geotechnics, the environment and energy. Within the laboratory, the Rheophysics and Porous Media team investigates the physical properties of divided materials—granular materials, pastes, suspensions, foams, gels and porous media—combining experiments, theoretical modelling and numerical simulations. The team focuses on model materials with controlled physical parameters, enabling quantitative comparisons between experiments, models and simulations, with the aim of understanding generic material properties and their applications.

Project context: Crushing and grinding are key steps in material recycling, but they are also energy-intense. Directly valorising the resulting particles by assembling them with a binder could enable the production of materials for applications such as construction and urban furniture. A major challenge is to distribute the binder uniformly at grain contacts in order to create cohesive binder bridges. The postdoctoral project is part of the BONDINGFOAM ANR project, which investigates complex foams - liquids containing a binding component - as low-carbon binders. Recent work by the team has shown that bubbles naturally concentrate around grain contacts and form liquid bridges there, enabling the binder to be deposited precisely where it is needed. The project aims to assess the potential of this innovative approach for improving the cohesion of granular assemblies.

We are seeking a post-doctoral student with background in physics or mechanics or material sciences, with experimental skills, ideally in the field of granular media or porous media. Depending on the candidate's skills and preferences, the postdoc project can be refocused on specific aspects previously presented.