Eléonore ROGUET
| Applied Mechanics Engineer Graduate of the Poitiers École nationale supérieure de Mécanique et Aéronautique (ENSMA) |
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Based in Rueil-Malmaison
How did you get to IFP Energies nouvelles?
Once I'd got my engineering degree, I did a six-month placement in a research laboratory in Sweden. As a result of the experience, I decided that the next step was a PhD. My thesis was based on research on the behavior of a polymer at high temperatures at the ENSMA, in partnership with Arkema. It was while I was at ENSMA that I met an engineer from IFP Energies nouvelles's Applied Mechanics Division who suggested I come to IFP Energies nouvelles to carry out post-doctoral research. So I spent eighteen months at IFP Energies nouvelles doing just that, before being taken on in June 2008 by the Solid Mechanics Department within the Applied Mechanics Division.
Tell us about your job?
My work consists in understanding and modeling the mechanical behavior of structures and materials used in the oil industry. At the moment, for example, I'm looking at laying reeled pipes, a technique that is widely used in the offshore industry.
Tell us about a normal day at work?
It all depends on what stage each project I'm involved in has reached. In general, there are three principal phases to a project. The launch phase consists in examining the state of the art relating to the subject in question and this is done through bibliographic research. The next, more concrete, phase of the project consists, from my point of view, in setting up mathematical models using the experimental data I receive. The third phase of a project concerns the results. They have to be disseminated via summary reports, scientific articles and conference papers.
What do you like about your job?
What I'm doing at the moment is a logical extension of what I was doing for my PhD and during post-doctoral research. I really enjoy the opportunity I've been given to further my research with a significant amount of autonomy, yet within a structure that has defined the specific objectives that need to be met. I also thrive on the teamwork and the fact that we share our expertise and knowledge, meaning that I come into regular contact with the outside (researchers, industrial partners).
What does it take to do your job?
Above all, you have to have scientific knowledge in your field, but also a dose of creativity can prove essential in order to come up with new research avenues and ideas.
Rigor and autonomy are also crucial qualities. In addition, you have to be able to accept that sometimes results don't always match expectations. Hence you have to question what you've done and try to understand why something hasn't worked and think of alternative solutions. That's how progress is made and it's a specific feature of research.
Where do you want to go from here?
I'm giving myself time to think. I know that there are numerous opportunities at IFP Energies nouvelles and with its partners, but for the time being I love what I'm doing and I want to continue for a few years yet. What's more, I will soon be involved in a project concerning the transport and storage of hydrogen. New energies are of real importance today and it's exciting to be working on such themes.
