Funding project: ANR DGA-ASTRID 'SAFE-FIRE-CABLE'
Host institution: "Reaction and Resistance to Fire" (R2F) team, UMET Laboratory (https://umet.univ-lille.fr/), Centrale Lille Institut, France (https://centralelille.fr/en/)
Partners: EDF and Institut de Mécanique des Fluides de Toulouse (IMFT)
Context and Project Overview
Electrical cables are essential to the operation of nuclear facilities, industrial sites, transport networks, data centers and defense systems. In such installations, hundreds of kilometers of cables may be installed in trays and bundles. A fire involving a cable route can spread rapidly, generate heat, smoke and toxic gases, and cause the simultaneous loss of critical power, control and communication functions.
SAFE-FIRE-CABLE aims to develop a predictive, physics-based capability for simulating fire propagation in industrial electrical cable bundles, including configurations representative of confined environments. The project connects the degradation of polymeric cable sheaths to gas-phase combustion, heat transfer and flame spread at the scale of cable bundles and compartments.
The consortium combines EDF's industrial materials, reference tests and operational scenarios; UMET's internationally recognized expertise in flame-retardant polymers, pyrolysis and char formation; and IMFT's expertise in multiphysics fire modelling and CFD. The ultimate objective is a validated numerical demonstrator that will support fire-safety assessment and the resilience of critical civil and defense infrastructure.
Scientific Objectives
The PhD candidate will establish the experimental and physico-chemical basis for physically grounded pyrolysis models of real cable-sheath materials. The work will focus on:
- Understanding cable-sheath degradation: Characterize representative industrial materials, including PVC-based formulations and halogen-free EVA/mineral-hydroxide-filled systems.
- Decoding pyrolysis and char formation: Relate composition to decomposition pathways, gaseous-product release, char yield, morphology, cohesion and deformation under fire exposure.
- Developing predictive material laws: Identify multistep kinetic, thermochemical and thermophysical parameters for implementation in pyrolysis models.
- Bridging experiments and simulation: Supply validated material data to support coupled GPYRO-fire/CFD simulations, including the development of a sovereign GPYRO-Code_Saturne modeling chain.
- Supporting validation on realistic scenarios: Work with EDF and IMFT in iterative experimental-numerical studies of cable-fire propagation.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare reproducible model and industrial cable-sheath specimens.
- Perform thermal analysis under controlled atmospheres using TGA/DTG and DSC.
- Conduct cone-calorimeter experiments to quantify ignition, heat-release rate, mass loss and residue formation.
- Analyze pyrolysis gases using FTIR-based methods coupled to thermal analysis and/or calorimetry.
- Characterize fire residues and their structural evolution using advanced methods such as solid-state multinuclear NMR, Raman spectroscopy and microanalysis.
- Build and fit multireaction pyrolysis schemes; determine kinetic parameters, product yields and evolving thermal properties.
- Transfer documented, simulation-ready datasets to project partners and contribute to model–experiment comparisons.
- Disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and international conferences.
Candidate Profile
Essential Qualifications
- Master's degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Fire Safety Engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong interest in polymers, thermal degradation, combustion, fire science or thermal analysis.
- Careful experimental practice, analytical skills and commitment to high-quality, reproducible data.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team.
Desirable Skills
- Experience with TGA, DSC, FTIR, cone calorimetry or related characterization techniques.
- Knowledge of flame-retardant polymers, reaction kinetics, charring or polymer pyrolysis.
- Familiarity with spectroscopy and/or materials characterization, particularly solid-state NMR, Raman spectroscopy or microanalysis.
- Skills in scientific data analysis and programming (Python, MATLAB, Origin or equivalent).
- Interest in experimental–numerical coupling and multiphysics modelling.
Personal Attributes
- Innovative and hands-on approach to solving complex engineering challenges.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Self-motivation and ability to work independently while contributing to collaborative research.
- Willingness to travel for experiments and collaborations with partners.
- Curiosity and creativity in solving complex scientific challenges.
Miscellaneous
Gross salary: about 2500€/month
Contract duration: 3 years
Starting date: between January and March 2027 (some flexibility is allowed)
UMET laboratory is a restricted area: the candidate should receive the clearance of our security and defense officer (3 months to be approved)
Supervision: Prof. Serge Bourbigot (serge.bourbigot@centralelille.fr)/ Dr. Tsilla Perez (tsilla.perez@univ-lille.fr)/ Dr. Abdenour Amokrane (EDF)/ Prof. Gerald Debenest (IMFT)
Application process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) to S. Bourbigot by emails (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV), (ii) Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing your motivation, research interests, and suitability for the position and (iii) Two recommendation letters
Where to apply
E-mail: serge.bourbigot@centralelille.fr
Additional Information
Selection process
Application process: Interested candidates should submit the following documents (in English) to S. Bourbigot by emails (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV), (ii) Cover letter (max. 2 pages) describing your motivation, research interests, and suitability for the position and (iii) Two recommendation letters