Engineer in low tech optimized composter

UTC; France; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A renowned French university is seeking an engineer for the COMPo-LT project focused on developing innovative composters. Key responsibilities include participating in sustainable design, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, and conducting various research activities. Ideal candidates have a Bac + 5 degree in mechanical or bio-process engineering and relevant experience. The position offers a gross monthly salary based on experience and will last for 13 months, starting as soon as possible.

Qualifications

• First professional experience in engineering, including internships.
• Knowledge of bioprocesses and composting required.

Responsabilités

• Participate in the development of a sustainable composter.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to technological advances and solve technical challenges.

Connaissances

Mechanical design

Bioprocess knowledge

Composting expertise

Prototyping skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Collaborative work

Initiative

Formation

Engineer or equivalent level Bac + 5

Description du poste

Organisation/Company UTC Department Génie des Procédés Industriels Research Field Agricultural sciences » Other Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Master Positions Country France Application Deadline 15 Jan 2026 – 20:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are looking for an engineer to join the COMPo-LT project at the Université de Technologie de Compiègne, in the Industrial Process Engineering department, TIMR joint research unit.

The COMPo-LT project aims to develop an innovative individual composter within the reach of households to ensure good aeration and a thermophilic phase, thus ensuring quality mature compost.

Your mission

You will actively participate in the development of a low‑tech proximity composter ensuring adequate aeration and the presence of a thermophilic phase. You will be responsible for:

• Participate in a project related to a sustainable development approach
• Contribute to technological advances
• Bring your expertise to solve technical challenges and develop innovative solutions
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and benefit from a stimulating and enriching work environment

Your activities

• Produce a state of the art on local composters
• Design a labelling scheme based on the project’s objectives
• Conduct an ideation phase in order to identify one or more composters concepts
• Select one or two composters meeting the labelling scheme
• Design, size and create one or more prototypes
• Evaluate the prototypes against the labelling scheme

Context and summary of the project

This recruitment benefits from funding included in the implementation of a Prematuration Program of the University Pole of Innovation of the Alliance Sorbonne Université – PUI‑ASU.

The AGEC law has led many municipalities, especially small ones, to encourage citizens to process their biowaste through individual composting. They notably helped households to own a composter. Composting is a simple and natural process that nevertheless requires good aeration and a thermophilic phase to ensure proper aeration and minimize the production of greenhouse gases and the risk of proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, if the material is not turned regularly, anaerobic zones are created which are responsible for the production of methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more impactful than CO₂ over a 100‑year horizon. Moreover, the surface/volume ratio of individual composters is such that heat losses take precedence over the creation of heat by microorganisms necessary for obtaining a thermophilic phase. The objective of the project is therefore to design an innovative composter guaranteeing aerobic conditions and the presence of a thermophilic phase.

The project aims to develop an innovative individual composter within the reach of households to ensure good aeration and a thermophilic phase thus ensuring quality mature compost while minimizing the risks of environmental and health impacts. This study should therefore include a technical, social, economic and environmental assessment to verify the sustainability of the proposed solution.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Dates to apply

From 12/15/2025 to 01/15/2026

Type of contract and expected recruitment dates

Fixed‑term contract – planned duration of 13 months in total – first contract as soon as possible and until 30/09/2026

Gross monthly salary

Depending on experience and funding

Hours worked

37 hours and 30 minutes/week – 1,607 hours/year

Environment and work context

The project will be carried out within the TIMR unit (Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter) – Industrial Process Engineering department. The research team, involved in several national projects, offers a framework conducive to scientific valorisation.

The person recruited joins the COMPo-LT project team, reports to the project manager, maintains a regular dialogue with him and works closely with the concerned interlocutors.

The engineer will have access to the UTC FabLab and the Process Engineering hall for the production and demonstration of prototypes.

Occasional trips are expected as part of the project.

We are looking for a candidate with first professional experience, including work‑study or internship, in the field.

Operational knowledge and skills

• Knowledge and experience in mechanical design
• Knowledge of bioprocesses
• Knowledge and mastery of composting
• Prototyping
• Project management
• Capacity for analysis and synthesis
• Adaptability and organizational skills
• Rigor
• Collaborative work skills
• Spirit of initiative and sense of listening
• Autonomy
• Relational ease

Diploma, training and accreditation

• Degree: engineer or equivalent level bac + 5
• Field of training: mechanical or (bio)processes