Postdoctoral Researcher (M/F) - Development and integration on a drone of a photovoltaic system[...]

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institution in France is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on high-efficiency photovoltaic devices and their applications in drone technology for emergency management. The role includes developing a laser charging system and contributing to a European project focused on optimizing disaster response using advanced robotic technologies. Candidates should have a PhD in Physics or Engineering Sciences, with expertise in optoelectronics and a passion for collaborative work.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or Engineering Sciences applied to photovoltaic technologies and/or wireless communication systems.
• Significant experience in optoelectronics, photonics, and/or electronics.
• Ability to work independently and excellent communication skills in English.

Responsabilités

• Develop and optimize a laser charging system for drones.
• Contribute to European project HURRICANE.
• Participate in technological choices and metrology of photovoltaic modules.

Connaissances

Optoelectronic component characterization

Optical metrology of photovoltaic devices

Signal processing fundamentals

Formation

PhD in Physics or Engineering Sciences

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department XLIM Research Field Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 22 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 2 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The postdoctoral researcher will work in the field of Engineering Sciences, and more specifically in the area of high-efficiency photovoltaic devices (Gallium Arsenide GaAs and/or Silicon), their optoelectronic metrology, and their performance in wireless optical communications. The main objective is to develop and optimize a laser charging system to improve the flight time of drones used for emergency management (providing support and technical assistance to rescue teams deployed in various emergency situations). The charging system will also be adapted/modified for evaluation in the reception of optical data, to ensure the resilience of uplink communications with the drone. Contributions to the optical simulation of the system will also be welcome.

The candidate will contribute to the European project (Horizon Europe) HURRICANE (Holistic UGV-based Resilient and Real-time Intelligence for Crisis and Natural Emergency, project website: https://www.alphanov.com/en/collaborative-projects/hurricane-european-p… ). This project is based on a multidisciplinary European consortium whose objective is to increase the efficiency and safety of first aid operations during disaster situations through the use of advanced robotic technologies. By combining drones, autonomous ground vehicles, and intelligent communication systems, it aims to optimize risk management, reduce operational hazards, and boost the European robotics industry.

The postdoctoral researcher will be involved in the technological choices concerning the photovoltaic modules to be selected for the application, in their advanced laboratory-scale metrology (static and dynamic), and in predicting their performance using an optical simulation developed within the XLIM laboratory. More specifically, the candidate will actively participate in their integration onto the drones selected for the project by the national and international partners of the European consortium. They will maintain close contact with the teams of the regional partner ALPhANOV (Optics and Laser Technology Center) responsible for developing the laser source, and they will participate in experimental validation campaigns conducted both at laboratory scale and in representative environments, in collaboration with the partners. In this context, the candidate will be expected to regularly communicate his results (measurements and data analysis) to the partners and through scientific publications and national and international conferences.

XLIM (UMR CNRS 7252) is a research laboratory with expertise in electronics and microwaves, optics and photonics, mathematics, computer science and imaging, and CAD, applied to the fields of space, telecommunications networks, secure environments, bioengineering, new materials, energy, and imaging. The laboratory leverages a technological platform (PLATINOM) and a modeling/simulation tools platform (PREMISS) to develop original and advanced scientific and technological solutions in collaboration with leading national and international academic and industrial partners. XLIM supports fundamental and applied research on key technologies addressing issues of significant societal importance (reducing the environmental impact of technologies, ensuring the safety of property and people, promoting technological sovereignty, etc.).

The candidate must hold a PhD in Physics or Engineering Sciences applied to the development of photovoltaic technologies and/or wireless communication systems, with significant experience in optoelectronics, photonics, and/or electronics. In particular, the candidate must be familiar with:

• Standard techniques for characterizing optoelectronic components
• Optical and electrical metrology of photovoltaic devices
• Fundamentals of signal processing

A demonstrated ability to work independently, to think outside the box within Engineering Sciences, and excellent communication and scientific writing skills (in English) are just as important as academic qualifications. The successful candidate must demonstrate a genuine interest in collaborative work within a European consortium, exhibiting strong scientific maturity and a passion for fieldwork. Direct experience in photovoltaics and/or optical communications will be an asset.