Engineer/Post-doc – Stretchable Electronics & Optics for Artificial Skin

NanoHelp; Gardanne; Ibrido; EUR 36.000 - 37.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Partial remote-working opportunities

Reimbursement of transport costs (75%)

40–49 days paid leave

Access to advanced facilities

Descrizione del lavoro

Mines Saint-Étienne – Institut Mines-Télécom seeks an Engineer or Postdoctoral Researcher to advance soft electronics and optical sensing for artificial skin. The role focuses on stretchable waveguides and integration with flexible electronics within FEL.

The candidate will fabricate, test, and refine optical sensing devices, using Python for test benches and data analysis, contributing to a European collaborative project with international partners.

Competenze

• PhD or Master’s degree in engineering sciences, electronics or related field.
• Strong hands-on laboratory experience and capability to work independently.
• Excellent Python programming skills and problem-solving mindset.

Mansioni

• Fabricate and characterize elastomer waveguides for pressure- and temperature-sensing.
• Integrate sensory materials into elastomer waveguides and test performance.
• Develop fabrication techniques for optical components (LEDs, photodiodes).
• Characterize complete optical sensing devices and validate functionality.

Conoscenze

Python

Laboratory skills

Autonomy

Formazione

Bac+5/PhD

Strumenti

Arduino

Raspberry Pi

Descrizione del lavoro

Organization: Mines Saint-Étienne – Institut Mines-Télécom

Department: Centre of Microelectronics – Flexible Electronics Department (FEL)

Location: Gardanne, France

Position: Engineer/Postdoctoral Researcher – Stretchable Electronics & Optics for Artificial Skin

Reference Number: 2026-2416447

Contract Duration: 12 months

Employment Type: Full-time, fixed-term public-law contract

Expected Start Date: 1 March 2027

Annual Salary: €35,553–€37,092, plus annual bonus and 3% geographic location allowance

Application Deadline: 15 December 2026

About Mines Saint-Étienne

Mines Saint-Étienne, a member of the Institut Mines-Télécom, is one of France's leading engineering schools, recognised for its contributions to education, scientific research, and technological innovation. The institution brings together approximately 500 staff members and 2,500 students and focuses on addressing major industrial, digital, energy, and environmental challenges through academic excellence and advanced research. The Centre of Microelectronics and its Flexible Electronics Department develop scientific and technological expertise in soft electronics, materials, and interface characterisation. The department operates a 660 m² technological platform equipped for research and development in micropackaging, microelectronics, and nanoelectronics. Its facilities include a 220 m² Class 1,000 cleanroom and a 400 m² Class 10,000 cleanroom.

Position Overview

Mines Saint-Étienne is seeking an Engineer or Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research and innovation activities in soft electronics and optical sensing for artificial skin applications. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of stretchable optical waveguides and their integration into artificial skin demonstrators within the Centre of Microelectronics and the Flexible Electronics Department (FEL). Stretchable electronics can be combined with optical systems, including waveguides, to create artificial skin capable of sensing pressure and temperature. The project will focus on developing these optical sensing technologies and integrating them with flexible electronic components. The research will involve the fabrication and characterisation of stretchable optical waveguides, together with the development of fabrication and integration techniques for optical components such as LEDs and photodiodes. A related scientific publication is “Transparent, Optical, Pressure-Sensitive Artificial Skin for Large-Area Stretchable Electronics.”

Key Responsibilities

• Fabricate and characterise elastomer waveguides for pressure- and temperature-sensing applications.
• Integrate optically pressure-sensitive or temperature-sensitive materials into elastomer waveguides.
• Develop and implement fabrication techniques for optical components, including LEDs and photodiodes.
• Characterise and validate complete optical sensing devices.
• Conduct hands-on laboratory experiments and work within the cleanroom facilities.
• Operate existing experimental setups and contribute to the development of test benches.
• Use Python to operate and further develop experimental test benches.

The fabrication processes and experimental setups are already available. However, strong Python knowledge is important for operating and improving the experimental systems.

Research Objectives and Expected Outcomes

The project aims to demonstrate innovative soft optical sensing devices for artificial skin applications. By combining stretchable optical waveguides with pressure- and temperature-sensitive materials, the research will contribute to artificial skin technologies with sensing capabilities that cannot be achieved through conventional electronic approaches alone. The work forms part of a European collaborative project involving several research and technology partners, including:

• ETH Zurich (ETHZ).
• University of Oxford.
• Johannes Kepler University Linz.
• EMPA.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should hold a Bac +5 qualification or equivalent, or a PhD in engineering sciences, electronics and embedded systems, or a related discipline. The ideal candidate will be autonomous, curious, rigorous, and passionate about technological innovation. A strong interest in practical experimentation and laboratory work is essential, together with the ability to develop a rigorous scientific approach. Knowledge of optics, photonics, soft electronics, and materials science will be considered an advantage. Familiarity with cleanroom environments is also desirable. Good knowledge of electronic design and circuitry is highly appreciated. Strong Python programming skills are important, while experience with Arduino and/or Raspberry Pi is an additional advantage.

Employment Conditions

• Contract: 12-month fixed-term contract under public law.
• Working Hours: Full-time.
• Expected Start Date: 1 March 2027.
• Annual Salary: €35,553–€37,092, depending on the candidate's profile.
• Additional Compensation: Annual bonus and 3% geographic location allowance.
• Position Category: Category A, executive-level position.
• Remote Work: Partial remote working is possible.
• Eligibility: Open to civil servants (Category A) and/or contract employees.

Compensation is determined according to the candidate's profile, including job category, age, employment track, salary guarantee period, and the applicable Institut Mines-Télécom management framework.

Benefits and Working Environment

Mines Saint-Étienne offers a stimulating research environment with advanced experimental resources and an international professional network. Employee benefits include:

• 49 days of paid leave.
• Partial remote-working opportunities.
• Reimbursement of 75% of public transport costs.
• Financial support for carpooling and cycling.
• Access to advanced research and experimental facilities.
• Opportunities to collaborate with international academic and industrial partners.

Equal Opportunity

Mines Saint-Étienne is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and provides fair treatment to all applicants. The positions are open to all candidates, with accommodations available upon request for applicants with disabilities. Applications may be subject to an administrative investigation.