Researcher in Structural Mechanics and Numerical Simulation – KIwin Project

Unist; Montpellier; Hybrid; EUR 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

L’Université de Montpellier, LMGC/CNRS, recrute un ingénieur-chercheur pour le projet KiWin sur un système de traction basé sur un cerf-volant pour navires (>60 m). Ouverture sur modélisation, optimisation et validation en temps réel sur plateforme kite-box.

Profil: doctorat en robotique/contrôle, maîtrise MATLAB/Scilab et Python/C++, anglais courant; travail en équipe pluridisciplinaire avec collaboration LIRMM, IMS Bordeaux et École de l’Air et de l’Espace.

Qualifications

• Docteur en robotique, contrôle ou domaine proche.
• Compétences en modélisation, dynamique et planification.
• Expérience en expériences en temps réel appréciée.

Responsibilities

• Modéliser le système traction cerf-volant: cerf-volant, haubanages, navire.
• Identifier expérimentalement les paramètres du modèle.
• Valider le modèle avec un simulateur.
• Optimiser les trajectoires de référence pour traction aérodynamique.

Skills

Anglais courant

Calcul/simulation

Programmation

Education

PhD en robotique / génie du contrôle

Tools

MATLAB

Scilab

Python

C++

Job description

Organisation/Company UNIVERSITE DE MONTPELLIER - BIATSS Research Field Engineering Technology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 6 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number qfeyo2m27a Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

A University of Excellence

As a research-intensive university and a world leader in ecology, the University of Montpellier is a public experimental institution ranked among the world’s top 200 universities in the Shanghai Ranking. It covers a wide range of disciplines, including science and technology, law, economics, environmental studies, public administration, management, medicine, pharmacy, sports and physical education, biology, computer science, education sciences and political science.

In 2022, the University was awarded the I-SITE label (Initiative for Science, Innovation, Territories and the Economy), bringing together 15 research and innovation partners across the region. This Initiative of Excellence (PEI), led by the University of Montpellier, focuses on three key challenges: “Feeding, Caring and Protecting” and draws on the full range of scientific disciplines represented at the University and among its partners. The University also coordinates the University Innovation Cluster (PUI).

A University with a Strong Commitment to Society

Committed to combating all forms of discrimination, the University of Montpellier actively promotes diversity, gender equality and the inclusion of people with disabilities. It upholds the fundamental principles of public service, secularism, equal opportunities and universal access to knowledge. It also promotes core academic values such as ethics, scientific integrity and academic freedom.

Sustainable development is at the heart of the University’s policies and culture. This commitment has been recognised by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which ranked the University of Montpellier first among French universities for its performance in sustainable development.

As part of its commitment to equality and non-discrimination, the University encourages applicants to submit CVs without photographs.

Main mission:

As part of the KiWin project, which aims to develop an automated kite-based traction system for vessels over 60 meters in length in order to reduce carbon emissions, we are seeking an engineer to join the LMGC (Laboratory of Mechanics and Civil Engineering, University of Montpellier / CNRS). This position offers a multidisciplinary environment combining structural mechanics, numerical modeling, aerodynamics, and automation, in collaboration with LIRMM, IMS Bordeaux, and the École de l’Air et de l’Espace. The research work will focus on modeling the system (including the kite, tethers, and vessel) as well as optimizing the reference trajectories that the kite must follow in order to maximize aerodynamic traction based on the vessel’s course and changing environmental conditions. The optimization of propulsive energy will also take into account the energy consumption of the kite control motors (electric winches). Finally, the proposed solutions (including the models, optimal trajectory planning, and control design) will be validated in real time on the experimental kite-box platform developed at the University of Montpellier as part of the BPI KIWIN project. Final tests may also be conducted on the SeaKite catamaran operated by Beyond the Sea (coordinator of the BPI KIWIN project).

Definition of the tasks to be carried out:

• · Develop a model of the kite-based traction system, including the kite, tethers, and vessel.
• · Experimentally identify the parameters of the resulting model.
• · Validate the model using a simulator.
• · Optimize the reference trajectories that the kite must follow in order to maximize aerodynamic traction.
• · Perform real-time validation on the experimental kite-box platform developed as part of the BPI KIWIN project.
• · Explore the possibility of experimental validation on the SeaKite catamaran operated by Beyond the Sea (coordinator of the BPI KIWIN project).

Profil

• The successful candidate should hold a PhD in robotics, control engineering, or a closely related field. He/she should have expertise in control engineering (including optimization and control design), robotics (including modeling, dynamics, and motion planning), and experience conducting real-time experiments.
• Fluency in English is essential. Additionally, he/she is expected to have good skills in calculation/simulation software (e.g., Matlab or Scilab) and programming (in languages Python, C++). Experience in aerodynamics is appreciated but not mandatory.
• Diploma level required: PhD in robotics, control engineering, or a closely related field.
• Expertise in control engineering (including optimization and control design)
• Expertise in robotics (including modeling, dynamics, and motion planning)
• Experience conducting real-time experiments
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Scientific rigor, autonomy, and an innovative mindset

Salary: €2,735 – €2,960 gross per month, depending on qualifications and experience.