Post-Doc RADIANCE: Robotic multi-physics NDE for quantitative imaging of concrete durability in[...]

Université Gustave Eiffel; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Une institution de recherche internationale basée en France recherche un postdoctorant pour développer des solutions robotiques innovantes pour la rénovation de façades. Le candidat idéal doit posséder un doctorat en physique ou en ingénierie et une solide connaissance des techniques de test non destructif. Le poste est à temps plein, avec un salaire brut de 2 875 € et débutera en janvier 2026.

Prestations

Couverture sociale complète

Congés de maladie et de maternité

Qualifications

• Doit avoir un bon niveau d'anglais.
• Expérience en résolution de problèmes inverses appréciée.
• Capacité à modéliser dans un environnement Python.

Responsabilités

• Modéliser numériquement différentes techniques NDE sur un volume de béton.
• Développer une méthodologie de conception pour l'optimisation des capteurs.
• Valider expérimentalement la méthode NDE proposée.

Connaissances

Connaissance de la physique de propagation des ondes

Expérience en formulation de problèmes inverses

Compétence en traitement des données

Familiarité avec les technologies de test non destructif

Fortes compétences en programmation (Python, MATLAB, Julia)

Expérience avec des techniques de modélisation numérique

Formation

Doctorat en physique ou ingénierie

Master en ingénierie ou domaine connexe

Description du poste

Overview

Organisation/Company Université Gustave Eiffel

Department GERS/GeoEND

Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering; Physics » Applied physics; Physics » Acoustics; Physics » Electromagnetism; Engineering » Materials engineering; Engineering » Mechanical engineering; Computer science » Programming

Position: Postdoc; Country: France; Application Deadline: 8 Oct 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris); Type of Contract: Temporary; Job Status: Full-time; Hours Per Week: 35; Offer Starting Date: 1 Jan 2026

Is the job funded through Horizon Europe: Yes (Horizon Europe, Reference Number 101235536). The job is not related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure.

Offer Description

GENERAL CONTEXT

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), buildings in the EU are responsible for 42% of energy consumption and 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. As of 2020 roughly 75% of the EU building stock was energy inefficient. Renovating existing buildings could reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions, but renovation rates remain very low.

One of the key outcomes of the project RADIANCE is the development of innovative robotic solutions for façade renovation, integrating advanced robotics, automation, and digitalization technologies.

OBJECTIVES

The Postdoc will develop a groundbreaking multi-physics NDE probe, adaptable to drones used by other partners, to assess the integrity of concrete façades. This contact-based system will integrate resistive, capacitive, and ultrasonic techniques for detecting subsurface defects and evaluating concrete properties, determining structural health and guiding targeted repair interventions.

Regarding drone payloads for concrete evaluation, the integration of a multi-physics NDE probe is a challenge to be addressed, particularly in achieving sufficient depth resolution and determining the optimal combination of multi-physics data to extract meaningful information about concrete condition.

[1] M. Fengal, P. Mora, P. Shokouhi, O. Durand, X. Dérobert, S. Palma-Lopes, M. Lehujeur, G. Villain, E. Gennesseaux, O. Abraham, Coherent and incoherent Rayleigh wave attenuation for discriminating microstructural effects of thermal damage from moisture conditions in concrete, NDT & E International, 156, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ndteint.2025.103473

MAIN TASKS

The postdoctoral researcher will:

• perform numerical modelling of the three NDE methods on a common concrete volume, using a unified computational model that incorporates aggregate heterogeneity and relevant cover concrete material properties;
• carry out numerical sensitivity analyses to assess the influence of material gradient properties on each NDE observable;
• develop a design methodology, based on numerical simulations, to optimize the number and configuration of sensing elements for the three NDE techniques, considering (i) a target depth resolution and (ii) payload constraints;
• contribute to the design and prototyping of a handheld probe in the laboratory, tested on decimetric-scale concrete slabs;
• design an experimental campaign to test, refine, and validate the proposed design methodology;
• participate in field experiments on a metric-scale concrete wall, using the NDE probe integrated onto drone platforms.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• A unified Python-based numerical framework for robust forward and inverse modelling of resistive, capacitive, and ultrasonic NDE techniques.
• A methodology for optimizing the probe’s depth resolution and payload, based on multi-physics simulations and performance constraints.
• Experimental validation of the NDE probe, both in the laboratory (handheld) and on-site using a drone-mounted configuration.
• Open-access dissemination of results, including peer-reviewed journal publications, publicly available code (via GitHub), and curated datasets.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering; Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Physics » Applied physics; Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of wave propagation physics (acoustic, seismic, ultrasonic, electromagnetic) and/or diffusive phenomena (e.g., electrical resistivity).
• Experience with inverse problem formulation and solving and/or artificial intelligence techniques in the context of physical modelling.
• Proficiency in signal and data processing, including time- and frequency-domain analysis.
• Familiarity with instrumentation for non-destructive testing and/or sensing technologies.
• Strong programming skills in Python, MATLAB, Julia, or other scientific computing environments.
• Experience with numerical modelling techniques, such as finite difference, finite element, or spectral element methods.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Additional Information

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• 22 research labs and 5 international laboratories
• 1 200 academics, 13 doctoral schools
• 25% of the French research and training efforts on "Cities"
• 1000 international peer-reviewed publications per year (130 in the top 10% Leiden ranking)
• Over 200 international partners
• 7 campuses in France
• 17 000 students
• 500 PhD students (45% international)

WORK CONDITIONS

• Full social coverage
• Sick & maternity leave
• Gross salary: 2 875 €

Eligibility criteria

To be considered, applicants must meet all the following eligibility criteria. Applications that do not comply will be automatically rejected and not evaluated.

CONDITIONS FOR ELIGIBILITY

• At the application deadline, candidates must hold or be finalizing a PhD degree.
• At the start of the contract, candidates must be in possession of their PhD, entitling them to embark on a postdoctoral position.
• Researchers must work exclusively on the project throughout their contract.
• Candidates must be available full-time to begin the program in January 2026.
• The position requires a minimum commitment of 18 months.

There are no restrictions related to age, gender, or nationality. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with career breaks, non-linear career paths, interdisciplinary backgrounds, mobility experience, or experience in the private sector.

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

Applicants must submit by email the following documents in PDF format, using the specified naming convention (the object of the email should start with "RADIANCE Post-doc Application"):

• Master's degree certificate → SURNAME_NAME_master.pdf
• PhD’s degree certificate (if applicable at date of application) → SURNAME_NAME_PhD.pdf
• Photocopy of passport → SURNAME_NAME_passport.pdf
• Letter of recommendation from PhD supervisor (if still enrolled in 2024–2025) → SURNAME_NAME_letter.pdf
• Other recommendation letters (optional) → SURNAME_NAME_other_letters.pdf

Selection process

If your application meets the eligibility criteria and is positively evaluated, you may be invited to an online audition conducted by a panel of scientific experts.

AUDITION FORMAT

• 15-minute oral presentation by the candidate
• Followed by a 20-minute discussion with the jury members

PRESENTATION CONTENT REQUIREMENTS

Your presentation must address the following three key evaluation areas:

• Academic Excellence & Motivation
  • Academic qualifications and coherence of your career path
  • Knowledge of the state-of-the-art related to the postdoctoral topic
  • Relevance of your profile to the proposed project
  • Scientific, professional, and personal motivation
• Appropriation of the Postdoctoral Project
  • Understanding and articulation of the research problem and hypotheses
  • Description of the objectives and proposed methodology
  • Evaluation of feasibility: timeline, scientific approach, and dissemination plan
• Communication Skills & Professional Maturity
  • Clarity, structure, and quality of your oral presentation
  • Relevance and precision of your answers to the jury's questions
  • Fluency in English

Important: You will not be allowed to use any supporting documents or visual aids during the Q&A session with the jury.

Additional comments

The French Security Defense (FSD) Officer needs to approve your application in order to sign the contract.