Internship M2

Company Description Université Bourgogne Europe is a multi-campus public university located in the Bourgogne region of France, with sites in Auxerre, Chalon, Dijon, Le Creusot, Mâcon, and Nevers. It offers a wide range of academic programs and research opportunities across engineering, science, and other disciplines. The university promotes innovation and collaboration through strong ties with local industries and research centers. Students and interns benefit from modern facilities, multidisciplinary projects, and an international outlook that supports both academic and professional development. Role Description This full-time on-site internship position is based in Nevers and focuses on the mechanical behavior of a composite assembly consisting of flax fibers and a vitrimer matrix after repair and/or recycling. Day-to-day tasks include preparing and characterizing composite specimens, conducting mechanical tests to evaluate performance before and after repair or recycling, and recording and analyzing experimental data. The intern will contribute to the design of test setups, support maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment, and collaborate with researchers to interpret results and propose improvements to repair and recycling processes. The role also involves documenting methodologies, drafting technical reports, and presenting findings to the supervising team. Description In the context of increasingly stringent European policies promoting a circular economy, improving the recyclability, repairability, and reusability of composite structures has become a major scientific and industrial challenge. Most structural composites currently rely on thermoset matrices. Although these materials offer excellent mechanical properties, their irreversible chemical networks make them difficult to recycle or repair. Existing recycling processes either degrade the quality of the reinforcing fibres or require complex and costly technologies. Consequently, damaged composite components are still frequently replaced rather than repaired and reused. Vitrimers represent a promising alternative to conventional thermoset resins. Their adaptive covalent networks allow chemical bonds to rearrange under specific conditions while preserving the overall integrity of the material. This behaviour opens up new possibilities for the repair, recycling, and reuse of composite structures. However, the mechanical properties of joints in such composites have not yet been studied or contextualized within the existing literature. This issue is particularly significant given that flax-fibre/vitrimer composites are intended for use in structural applications. The objective of this internship is to evaluate how the mechanical properties of joints evolve through successive cycles of repair, reuse, and recycling (via chemical processes or grinding). Service conditions may also be considered as a test variable. Furthermore, the composite layup (stacking sequence) can be varied to determine the influence of fibre orientation at bonded interfaces, as well as the effect of fibre orientation within the composite laminate itself. This project complements an ongoing doctoral thesis within the laboratory, which focuses on the life-cycle assessment of these flax-fiber/vitrimer composites. Qualifications
• Mechanical Engineering knowledge, including solid mechanics and materials behavior, relevant to composite structures.
• Currently enrolled in or having completed a relevant M2 (master’s level) program in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong analytical skills, including data processing, use of scientific software, and clear technical reporting.
• Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment, follow experimental protocols, and collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills in written and spoken English and/or French. Contact details If you are interested, please send your CV, a cover letter, and your academic transcripts from your Master’s program (M1 and M2) or equivalent to the following email address: clemence.rouge@ube.fr.