7d ago
Job description
Informations
Référence : FEM-SAS-2026-322
- Fixed-term contract
- Brest (29) - France Energies Marines and Ifremer
- 18 months
Job description
Synthetic polyamide 6 (nylon) fibre ropes are promising solutions for the mooring lines of future floating offshore wind turbines in moderate water depths. However, the fatigue performance of stranded polyamide 6 fibre mooring lines over the entire lifetime of an offshore wind farm, as well as their ageing behaviour in the marine environment, remain major research challenges. This postdoctoral research position will contribute to the GLAMOOR research project, building on the work carried out through the BAMOS, MONAMOOR and POLYAMOOR projects. The research will be conducted in partnership with Ifremer.
Missions
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to understanding the ageing mechanisms of synthetic cables and polyamide 6 (PA6) fibre ropes exposed to the marine environment. The objective will be to identify the physicochemical and mechanical changes occurring in the material during accelerated ageing and to establish parametric relationships between chemical degradation, microstructural changes and the evolution of mechanical properties. Ultimately, this work will improve the representation of PA6 mooring line behaviour in engineering models.
The research will be based on an experimental approach combining ageing tests, physicochemical characterisation and mechanical testing, in collaboration with the teams at France Energies Marines, ENSTA and Ifremer.
Experimental work
- Conduct and monitor ageing tests on polyamide 6 fibres in a marine environment
- Characterise the mechanical properties of materials before and after ageing, particularly through tensile testing and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA)
- Carry out physicochemical and thermal characterisation (FTIR, DSC, TGA)
- Analyse and interpret experimental results
- Investigate the relationships between physicochemical changes and mechanical properties in order to identify degradation mechanisms
Model work
- Analyse ageing kinetics and the relationships between physicochemical changes and mechanical properties
- Contribute to the development of approaches to improve the understanding and description of changes in material properties during ageing
- Disseminate research findings through technical reports, scientific publications and presentations at conferences and project meetings
Required Skills
Education
PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Polymer Physical Chemistry or a related field
Specific knowledge
- Strong knowledge of polymer science, particularly structure-property relationships, mechanical behaviour and ageing mechanisms
- Good knowledge of physicochemical characterisation techniques for polymers
- Ability to analyse and interpret experimental results by correlating observed changes of physico chemical properties to mechanical performances
Would be a +
- Experience in the mechanical and physicochemical characterisation of polymer fibres and/or synthetic ropes
- Knowledge of polymer ageing mechanisms in marine environments, particularly water sorption and hydrolysis phenomena
- Knowledge of the fatigue behaviour of polymer materials
- Skills in experimental data processing and programming (e.g. Python)
- Knowledge of offshore renewable energy
Work experience
Extensive hands-on experience in the characterisation of polymer materials
Professional qualities
- Scientific curiosity, creativity and a strong interest in research activities
- Scientific rigour and critical thinking
- Ability to work independently and strong organisational skills
- Ability to work as part of a team in both academic and industrial environments
- Strong summarising and writing skills, with good spoken English communication skills
- Ability to read and write technical reports and scientific papers in English
Modalités de candidature
Starting date: 01 February 2027
In accordance with regulations, all other things being equal, priority will be given to people with disabilities.
- Applications must include a CV and a cover letter.
- If the candidate is being seconded by a member of France Energies Marines, the application must include confirmation of the current employer's agreement.
About this role
Experience
PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Polymer Physical Chemistry or a related field; extensive hands-on experience in polymer material characterisation.
About France Énergies Marines
Company Overview
Name
France Énergies Marines (Simplified Joint Stock Company, public-private partnership)
HeadquartersPlouzané, France
Founded2012
SizeA multidisciplinary team of around 90 people, the largest French R&D team dedicated to offshore wind energy (source: france-energies-marines.org). Organization size between 51 and 200 employees according to LinkedIn (source: linkedin.com).
What They Do
France Énergies Marines is a private research and innovation center specializing in offshore wind energy, based in Plouzané, Brittany, with a presence across all French maritime coasts (source: france-energies-marines.org). The institute designs and manages collaborative R&D projects, develops software and methodologies, and supports industry players throughout the entire offshore wind value chain (source: france-energies-marines.org). Its mission is to make offshore wind farms more sustainable, affordable, environmentally integrated, and socially accepted (source: france-energies-marines.org). The institute’s expertise spans atmospheric physics, physical oceanography, structural mechanics, hydrodynamics, geotechnics, mathematics, electrical engineering, biology, ecotoxicology, ecosystems, sociology, and geography, enabling it to combine engineering, environmental sciences, and social sciences (source: france-energies-marines.org). Services offered include research, expert consulting, licensing, know-how transfer, tailored training, software development, studies and audits, as well as sector coordination and representation (source: france-energies-marines.org). Target clients and partners are wind farm developers and operators, engineering firms, technology developers, public utilities, investors, financiers, and insurers (source: france-energies-marines.org).
Projects & Track Record
France Énergies Marines organizes and participates in numerous national and European collaborative projects, structured around sector programs that pool research, risks, and costs, with results directly transferred to offshore wind stakeholders (source: france-energies-marines.org). Among its notable initiatives is the RESCORE platform, launched in 2020, which created an online tool for marine renewable energy stakeholders in France, facilitating access to data, information, tools, and sector recommendations for all phases of project development, operation, and decommissioning (source: rescore.france-energies-marines.org). The institute also works on pilot and commercial projects located along the Atlantic, English Channel, and Mediterranean coasts, providing strategic proximity to offshore wind development sites (source: france-energies-marines.org). Its multi-partner collaborative model enables it to pool expertise and rapidly transfer innovations to industry (source: france-energies-marines.org).
Recent Developments
Over the past two years, France Énergies Marines has expanded its agency network, notably opening an office in Le Havre at the end of 2022, strengthening its presence on the English Channel–North Sea coast (source: france-energies-marines.org). The organization has also updated its recruitment and team presentation pages, highlighting a team of around 90 people fully dedicated to offshore wind research and innovation (source: france-energies-marines.org). These developments reflect a growth dynamic and ongoing commitment to supporting offshore wind development in France.
Working There
Working at France Énergies Marines means joining an environment focused on research and innovation, with primarily scientific roles covering engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences (source: france-energies-marines.org). The organization describes itself as inclusive and human-sized, where every team member contributes to making offshore wind more efficient, reliable, cost-effective, and respectful of environmental and societal challenges (source: france-energies-marines.org). The corporate culture values multidisciplinary collaboration, international recognition, and cross-functional agility, while fostering cooperation with public and private partners and knowledge transfer to industry (source: france-energies-marines.org). Offices are located in Plouzané, Nantes, Marseille, Le Havre, and Pau, providing strong regional presence and proximity to projects along the various French maritime coasts (source: france-energies-marines.org).