Each year, several dozens of new Ph.D. topics are offered in IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) research departments and partner laboratories. The topics are published on the School’s website.
Our 3-year doctoral programs are open to students with a master’s degree or equivalent.
Doctoral training is provided in France by doctoral schools accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education. It is regulated by the Order dated August 7, 2006, of the French Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Research.
Students with a French Master’s degree, or a recognized equivalent foreign degree, can obtain a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree after a three-year Ph.D. research project and after defending a thesis.
Ph.D. students enroll annually at the University of the Thesis Supervisor (a minimum of three enrolments, one for each year of the research project). A "Thesis Charter" is signed by the Ph.D. student, the Thesis Supervisor, the Director of the Doctoral School and the Director of the Research Unit.
IFP Energies nouvelles Ph.D. program
Topics proposed by IFP Energies nouvelles for Ph.D. research projects evolve in line with its research and innovation (R&I) programs.
Each year, the topics are proposed after an internal selection process that involves an evaluation by IFP Energies nouvelles Scientific Board; the list of selected subjects is published at the beginning of each year and thesis work generally begins early October.
Doctoral thesis work is performed either in:
- IFP Energies nouvelles research divisions located in Rueil-Malmaison (near Paris) and Solaize (near Lyon), or at
- university laboratories that have signed agreements with IFP Energies nouvelles.
IFP Energies nouvelles grants annually several dozens of Ph.D. contracts, but other sources of funding are also possible, including industry funding within the framework of the "CIFRE" agreements.
Ph.D. students are supervised by the IFP Energies nouvelles researcher who has proposed the thesis topic and by the thesis supervisor affiliated to the doctoral school. Ph.D. students must report regularly on the progress of their work to their two supervisors. Halfway through, i.e. roughly 18 months after starting the thesis, students present the progress of their work to a jury that includes members of the IFP Energies nouvelles Scientific Board. This jury gives its opinion on the directions to be taken and authorizes the thesis to be continued or interrupts it. As the thesis comes to a close, the dissertation authorization is pronounced by the institution where the student is registered, based on the reports of the rapporteurs appointed to examine the thesis.
Doctoral students admitted to IFP Energies nouvelles are also part of the IFP Energies nouvelles / IFP School Doctoral College, which offers them additional training opportunities to enrich their scientific and technical knowledge in the fields of activity of IFP Energies nouvelles, as well as non-technical training to prepare them for professional integration.
The IFP Energies nouvelles Association of Present and Former Doctoral Students (ADIFPEN) is a vibrant and effective network.
Each year, the Yves Chauvin Thesis Award is granted to the best Ph.D. thesis from the previous year. This prize is awarded by a jury, chaired by the Chairman of IFP Energies nouvelles Scientific Board. The price is named after Yves Chauvin, Honorary Research Director at IFP Energies nouvelles, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2005 for his work on the metathesis of olefins.