Recognized researchers
In a nutshell, IFP Energies nouvelles scientific policy can be defined as identifying scientific hurdles and overcoming them through research work conducted in partnership with the very best academic laboratories and creating new industrial applications for this research over the long term.
Highly-qualified staff and diverse scientific expertise
IFP Energies nouvelles's R&D activities are supported by specialists from a broad range of different fields, ranging from earth sciences to engine combustion. The research teams include more than 350 PhD holders, of whom 52 are accredited to direct research according to french university standards.
The scientific and technical expertise is grouped together in 11 specific research divisions, responsible for the scientific quality of the work carried out, for university partnerships and for experimental resources.
PhD programs
PhD theses represent a rich source of new ideas and concepts for IFP Energies nouvelles. Around 60 new theses are started each year and some 180 doctoral students are supported by IFP Energies nouvelles at any one time. Generally speaking, they are given a three-year contract by IFP Energies nouvelles, which means they have the same rights as other employees. The majority of PhD students (70%) are located in IFP Energies nouvelles's laboratories, the remainder being conducted in the laboratory of the university where the student is registered.
Following their thesis, IFP Energies nouvelles's successful PhD students find employment in industry and in their own specific field of expertise. The 2008 survey looking at what happened to successful PhD students when they left showed that more than 90% of them had secured employment a year later and 95% had done so after two years. These figures demonstrate that IFP Energies nouvelles's PhD programs are fully meeting their objectives in providing industry with highly qualified scientific specialists.
National accreditation to direct research (HDR)
About 50 of our engineers held HDR accreditations. At this point, however, many of our researchers have acquired the necessary experience and are taking the course to earn their HDR, so that number will rise in the future.
An in-house center of excellence
To further enhance the technical and scientific excellence of its researchers and effectively promote this image of excellence among its industrial, institutional and academic partners, in 2008 IFP Energies nouvelles set up a network of experts comprising two levels (Expert/Expert Director). There are currently six Expert Directors and 21 Experts.
>>> Expertise at IFP Energies nouvelles
