Post-doc " Etude numériques et expérimentales d'écoulements couplés ventriculaire gauche " (H/F) – réf : 978

Centrale Nantes is a prestigious engineering school that awards degrees to engineers, master's students, and doctoral candidates who complete academic programs based on the latest developments in science and technology and best management practices.

As a member of the Écoles Centrales group (Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, and Paris), our school provides high-quality education to highly selected students.

A public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, Centrale Nantes has more than 2,250 students, 500 employees, and 600 temporary staff.

Job description:

The successful candidate will be attached to the Laboratory for Research in Hydrodynamics, Energy and Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA), which is a joint research unit of the CNRS under the supervision of two institutions: Ecole Centrale de Nantes and the CNRS.

The postdoctoral researcher's work will be part of the NExT INNOVEZ - Scientific Resource “SIMHEART” project, dedicated to the development of a fluid-structure interaction coupled numerical simulation tool for partial modeling of the left heart (ventricle/aortic valve/mitral valve).

More specifically, this work will focus on the numerical modeling of coupled blood/ventricle/valve interactions, taking into account realistic geometries, using the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) coupled with the Finite Element Method (FEM). The position also includes participation in existing experimental activities within the Meluhsine team (vascular bench, capture of local pulsed flow pressures, Particle Image Velocimetry [PIV] measurements, ultrasound Doppler velocimetry).

Your main activities will be as follows:

• Numerical modeling of coupled blood/left ventricle interactions, taking into account realistic geometries, using the LBM-FEM method

• Participation in existing experimental activities within the Meluhsine team (vascular bench, capture of local pulsatile flow pressures, Particle Image Velocimetry [PIV] measurements, ultrasound Doppler velocimetry)

Tasks to be performed:

Refresher course/training in human anatomy, heart, arterial system

Expected results:

Knowledge of arterial and cardiac function (minimum required for CFD simulation)

Tasks to be completed:

Bibliographic study of numerical and experimental methods for cardiac hemodynamics

Expected results:

Knowledge of state-of-the-art CFD simulation and vascular bench experiments

Tasks to be performed:

Familiarization with the existing LBM-FEM code at LHEEA, adaptation/preparation of ventricular geometries, 3D simulations, implementation of hemodynamic criteria.

Expected results:

Ventricular FSI simulations.

Tasks to be performed:

Participation in experiments.

Expected results:

Preparation/facilitation of numerical/experimental comparisons

Tasks to be performed:

Drafting of progress reports and A-level publications

Expected results:

Publications in international peer-reviewed journals

Tasks to be performed:

Presentations at scientific conferences

Expected results:

Participation in international conferences on the subject

Technical skills:
• Fluid mechanics; Numerical methods; CFD methods
• Algorithms and High Performance Computing (HPC)
• C/C++ or Fortran
• Good level of English

Organizational skills:
• Be independent and able to work in a team
• Be able to meet project deadlines and produce high-quality deliverables
• Have a sense of responsibility
• Be aware of confidentiality and intellectual property issues

Interpersonal and social skills:
• Good communication skills

Required level: You have a PhD.

Nature of the position

• 18-month postdoctoral contract position

• Postdoctoral remuneration

• Position open to contract workers and civil servants

• Category A – Research Engineer

• Full-time position – based in Nantes

• Occasional travel required for conferences

• Occasional remote working

• Flexible working hours

• Adjustable work cycles (possibility of working 4.5 days)

• RTT + additional leave

• Free parking

• 75% transportation reimbursement

• Sustainable mobility bonus (if cycling or carpooling)

Remuneration: according to the French civil service pay scale

Position available: October 2025

HR contact: Eloïse LEHOUX

Manager contact: Guillaume OGER

This advertisement refers to the terms “candidate,” “engineer,” “manager,” etc. These terms are to be considered gender-neutral and apply to both women and men.

Centrale de Nantes is committed to equality and diversity. In accordance with our institution's CSR commitments, this position is open to all.