Research and Development Engineer or Post-doc in Automatic Control and Robotics – 24-month Fixed-term Contract IMT Atlantique in France

IMT Atlantique, a leading general engineering school within the Institut Mines-Télécom group, is recruiting a Research and Development Engineer or Post-doc in Automatic Control and Robotics for a 24-month fixed-term contract. The position is based at the Nantes campus and is part of the European LIBFISH project, which aims to reduce the ecological impact of fishing through innovative technologies such as hydrofoils and electronic piloting. The successful candidate will join the Department of Automatic Control, Production Systems, and IT (DAPI) and collaborate with an international consortium of partners from Spain, Ireland, and Canada.

The main responsibilities include understanding the fine dynamics of trawl systems, defining model reduction methodologies, and developing a real-time dynamic model of the trawler and fishing gear assembly. The candidate will also create a reference simulator using Matlab or Python, bridging high-resolution simulations with the needs of control algorithm designers. This role offers the opportunity to apply soft robotics concepts to large-scale marine structures, presenting a rare scientific challenge and contributing to the protection of marine ecosystems by significantly reducing the impact of nets on the seabed.

Applicants must hold a PhD in automatic control or robotics obtained within the last three years and demonstrate established skills in modeling dynamic and multi-physics systems. Experience in finite element mechanics or soft robotics using Cosserat-type models is highly desirable. The ideal candidate is autonomous, motivated for sustainable innovation, and capable of effective communication with diverse international stakeholders. The position is open to all applicants, with accommodations available for candidates with disabilities.

Benefits include an indicative salary between €33,614 and €35,800 gross per year, reduced employee social security contributions, a wide range of social benefits, partial teleworking, generous leave, public transport subsidies, sustainable mobility package, and family allowance. The contract is for 24 months under public law, with the possibility of renewal or secondment for civil servants. The application deadline is July 2, 2026, and the contract is expected to start on October 1, 2026. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

To apply, submit your application via the online portal. For job content inquiries, contact Assistant Professor Fabien Claveau at [email protected]. For administrative or HR questions, contact Mélissandre Morvan at [email protected].