R&D Engineer Intern - Ecopact 2.0/Biochar

Site: Holcim Innovation Center
Job Req ID: 19868

R&D Engineer Intern - Ecopact 2.0/Biochar
 

THE OPPORTUNITY – CONTEXT OF THE MISSIONS

Decarbonizing the construction industry requires accelerating the adoption of low-carbon binders, notably slag-blended cements. Accurately predicting the long-term deformation and viscoelastic behavior (creep) of these materials is essential for reliable structural design.

This 6-month research internship aims to investigate the long-term creep behavior of low-carbon cement pastes by bridging micro-mechanical testing with advanced predictive modeling. The intern will combine experimental characterization and data-driven methods to improve the predictive accuracy of concrete creep models for next-generation binders.

MISSIONS:

During the 6-month internship, you will contribute to the following research steps:

1. State of the art & data preparation

• Review scientific literature on slag hydration kinetics, microstructure development, and creep mechanisms.


• consolidate and analyze experimental creep databases (literature and internal test series).

2. Microindentation test 

• Prepare cement paste specimens and conduct microindentation testing to characterize local viscoelastic properties.


• Process experimental indentation curves to extract micro-mechanical creep parameters.

3. Predictive modeling

• Implement and work with state-of-the-art concrete creep models (e.g., Bažant B4).


• Evaluate the integration of experimental micro-mechanical data and Machine Learning algorithms (e.g., Gaussian Processes, Random Forest) to enhance model calibration across diverse mix formulations.

4. Reporting

• Benchmark model predictions against macroscopic experimental creep datasets.


• Conduct parametric sensitivity analyses on key binder variables and synthesize findings into a comprehensive technical report / master’s thesis.

ABOUT YOU

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Hard skills:
  
  
  
  • Strong programming skills in Python and Machine Learning framework
  
  
  • Solid background un material mechanics, concrete behavior or microindentation techniques
  
  
  
  


• Soft skills:
  
  
  
  • Analytical mindset and scientific rigor
  
  
  • Autonomy in managing a hybrid project combining experimental testing and numerical modeling
  
  
  • Good communication skills to translate complex data into user-friendly tools
  
  
  
  


• Languages: Fluency in English (written and spoken) for technical reporting and operating in an international R&D environment

EDUCATION LEVEL / TRAINING

• Grand School engineering student or currently pursuing a Master’s degree (Bac +5) in Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Computational Mechanics, or Data Science for Materials

FURTHER INFORMATION

Duration:   6 months

  Start date: 01/03/2026

Holcim Innovation Center:

95 rue du Montmurier, 38291 St-Quentin-Fallavier (France), approximately 30 km East of Lyon (accessible by public transport).

Do you want to work in an international and dynamic working environment that helps you to grow? 

We are looking for future talents to join our team to build progress for people and the planet.

Please fill in the following reference: STAG-27-0013