Summary
IMT Nord Europe, in partnership with Valeo Power Division, is recruiting a PhD candidate for a 36-month fully funded project. The research focuses on the experimental characterization of boiling and condensation phenomena in microchannels to improve thermal management and cooling systems for next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
PhD Position:Two-Phase Heat Transfer in Microchannels for EV Battery Cooling, France
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
| Position | PhD (Doctorant.e) – CDD (Fixed-Term Contract) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Start Date | Between December 2026 and February 2027 |
| Affiliation | IMT Nord Europe / CERI Energie Environnement |
| Partnership | Valeo Power Division (FLOWMOD Industrial Chair) |
Subject Area
Energetics, Process Engineering, and Fluid Mechanics.
Location
Douai (59), Hauts-de-France, France (On-site).
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for this position, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Background: Hold an Engineering Degree or a Master’s degree in energy engineering, process engineering, or fluid mechanics.
- Technical Knowledge: Deep knowledge of heat transfer and at least basic fundamentals in fluid mechanics.
- Experience: A strong interest in setting up experimental test benches and conducting physical measurements. Knowledge of instrumentation, data acquisition/processing, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation is highly appreciated.
- Language: A good level of English is required.
- Soft Skills: Scientific rigor, strong writing skills, organized, autonomous, reactive, and comfortable working in a team with excellent interpersonal and pedagogical skills.
Scholarship Description
The transition to electric mobility requires highly efficient battery cooling solutions to maintain optimal temperatures, ensure energy efficiency, limit battery aging, and prevent thermal runaway. Two-phase internal cooling (liquid-vapor) is one of the most promising technologies for heat dissipation.
As part of the FLOWMOD industrial chair between IMT Nord Europe and Valeo, this PhD aims to experimentally study the heat transfer mechanisms of refrigerants flowing in microchannels representative of those used in EV battery heat exchangers. The candidate will:
- Develop an innovative experimental methodology combining global measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution local diagnostics.
- Analyze boiling and condensation mechanisms, identify flow regime transitions, and quantify their influence on thermal performance.
- Create a robust, high-fidelity reference database to validate and improve the predictive capabilities of Valeo’s current numerical CFD models used for designing future thermal management systems.
How to Apply
Candidates can apply directly online through the recruitment portal on the IMT Nord Europe Vacancy Page.
For specific inquiries regarding the position, you may contact:
- Dr. Mohamed Moussa EL IDI (Associate Professor): moussa.elidi@imt-nord-europe.fr
- Prof. Daniel BOUGEARD: daniel.bougeard@imt-nord-europe.fr
- Prof. Serge RUSSEIL: serge.russeil@imt-nord-europe.fr
For administrative questions, please contact the HR Department at jobs@imt-nord-europe.fr. (Note: The position can be adapted for individuals with disabilities and is open to public servants or public contract workers).
Last Date to Apply
September 6, 2026 (06/09/2026)
