Job offer

The postdoctoral researcher will:

• Analyze and exploit existing experimental datasets
• Develop and couple kinetic, rheological and CFD models
• Implement data-model integration approaches
• Participate in pilot-scale experimental validation
• Disseminate results through scientific publications and conferences

Research Environment The project will be carried out at the ABTE Laboratory - University of Caen Normandy, within an interdisciplinary environment combining biotechnology, process modeling and advanced control. The researcher will benefit from:

• Instrumented stirred bioreactors up to 40 L
• Microfluidic platform
• Advanced simulation and analytical tools

Project Objectives The project aims to develop and experimentally validate an integrated framework combining experimentation, modeling and real-time data to secure fermentation scale-up (2 L * 40 L).

Scientific objectives include: 1- Development of multi-scale models coupling:

• microbial kinetics

• oxygen and substrate mass transfer

• hydrodynamics and rheology 2- Development of a digital twin integrating:

• real-time experimental data

• intelligent sensors (microfluidic / optical)

• state estimation and predictive control strategies

• Experimental validation on a 40 L pilot-scale bioreactor

Research Field Computer science

Education Level PhD or equivalent, PhD obtained within the last 5 years (JCJC eligibility criteria). Female candidates with at least one child benefit from a one-year eligibility extension. Previous postdoctoral experience, preferably international, is strongly encouraged, Numerical modeling

• Multiphysics simulation (CFD, COMSOL or equivalent)
• Digital twins, advanced control,, or data-model coupling
• Interest in bioprocess engineering is an asset, but not mandatory., PhD obtained within the last 5 years (JCJC eligibility criteria). Female candidates with at least one child benefit from a one-year eligibility extension. Previous postdoctoral experience, preferably international, is strongly encouraged. Selection process

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biodegradable biopolymers considered promising alternatives to petroleum-based plastics within the circular bioeconomy. However, their industrial production is still limited by major technological bottlenecks, particularly during fermentation scale-up. Under high cell density conditions, complex phenomena arise, including oxygen gradients, hydrodynamic heterogeneities, and rheological changes of the culture medium, significantly affecting process performance. In this context, the University of Caen Normandy is preparing a project proposal for the JCJC funding program and is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to develop predictive tools based on multi-scale modeling and digital twin approaches applied to PHA production.