Based at IFP-Lyon

How did you get to IFP?

I wanted to go into research and start working on a doctorate when I got my engineering degree. I joined IFP to do so in 1999. I knew about IFP’s world-class research in a broad variety of areas, and was really keen on mathematical modeling of chemical phenomena in the oil and gas industry.

I wrote my dissertation on Molecular reconstruction of petroleum cuts and IFP offered me a permanent contract as a Process Research Engineer when I finished it, in 2002.

Tell us about your job.

I am working in three areas, mainly:

- running experiments on kerosene and gas oil hydrotreatment pilot units (basically to curb fossil-fuel combustion pollution by reducing sulfur content),
- modeling hydrotreatment processes to fine-tune product-quality and efficiency forecasts,
- hydrotreating biomass-liquefiats (the liquid products derived from plant lignocellulosic matter pyrolysis can be used to develop new-generation biofuels).

Tell us about a normal day at work.

I’ve never had a “normal” day! It all depends on what we’re doing at the time, which includes monitoring experiments, writing up reports and scientific articles, developing computer models and so on.

I also coach young researchers writing their dissertations.

What do you like about your job?

The variety. I’m involved in a huge variety of projects, and talking to people from every IFP research division, exchanging information and knowledge, all the time. I also enjoy working with doctoral researchers; it keeps me in touch with more fundamental research.

I also enjoy working with our industrial customers when we are developing processes.

What does it take to do your job?

A very inquisitive mind. You have to know what other divisions are doing, because that keeps you focused on the big picture and on the ultimate goals.

Where do you want to go from here?

I really enjoy my job at IFP. Working on hot issues such as New Energy Technologies is fascinating. But I might decide to follow fellow researchers, who have moved to jobs in industry, later on.