Contractual Lecturer-Researcher AI and Robotics

Teaching

The successful applicant will be required to teach 64 hours per year to strengthen the teaching in fields of data sciences and AI, applied in robotic systems, like “AI and computer vision”, “AI and robotics perception”, etc..

The recruited person will be in charge of contributing to present modules or even developing new modules. He/She will intervene in the Master's curriculum in synergy with the new ERASMUS MUNDUS “European Master in Sustainable Systems Engineering” (UTC, University of Genoa (UNIGE) Italia, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) Spain, and University Polytechnic of Tirana (UPT) Albania). Moreover, the successful candidate will also have the opportunity to contribute to the UTC’s computer science engineering programme for students undergoing initial training (FISE) and alternating training with companies (FISA).

Research

This job position is in the context of the ‘Collaboration Acceleration program’ (CAP) TWINNING, “TrustWorthy Interactive augmeNted autoNomous driving”, in the framework of the project PostGenAI@Paris of Sorbonne Université.

The project addresses the co-driving between a driver and a vehicle whose autonomous navigation capability, based on machine learning, are monitored by an integrity controller. Autonomous navigation on open roads remains a challenge, due to the uncontrolled and uncertain nature of the environment, the multiple driving interactions with other road users, and the limits of the situation understanding, which hampers vehicles' autonomous decision-making capabilities. Our goal is to augment the driver's collaborative driving skills by providing high-performance perception, decision and control functionalities based on AI model outputs that are controlled to be dependable and trustworthy.

The selected candidate will join the Heudiasyc laboratory, and will work on the CAP Twinning project, contributing to one or more of its main three scientific axes, relating to embedded AI and robotics in the domain of interactive augmented autonomous driving:

·        Trustworthy scene understanding:

o   Uncertainties management and propagation in perception functionalities.

o   Environment monitoring and ODD (Operational Design Domain) compliance study.

·        Planning and decision-making in uncertain environments:

o   AI-based methods

o   Reactive planning in order to consider driving rules, traffic regulations, etc.

o   Prediction and anticipation capabilities in a highly dynamic context.

·        Model-based and data-driven shared human/vehicle control:

o   Mechanisms to enable driver trust; estimation of trust metrics and human cognitive load and attention.

o   Augmented and adaptive human-machine multi-modal interface (haptic, sound, etc.).

o   Cooperative and shared control.

The research works will be tested and validated on both simulation tools, virtual reality platforms and experimental vehicles.

The successful applicant will be involved in the partnership and the development strategy of this project. This program is multi-disciplinary and combines research in AI, robotics, augmented reality, human machine interface (acoustics and haptics) and cognitive psychology.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional activities

Participate in the implementation of UTC’s Sustainable Development & Social and Environmental Responsability (SD&SER) Master plan.

Organisation

Université de technologie de Compiègne (UTC), a member of the Sorbonne University Alliance (ASU) and the network of universities of technology (UT), is ranked among the top French engineering schools in a number of national rankings, and offers a particularly favorable environment for teaching and research.

https://www.utc.fr/en/

The department

The Department of Computer Science, one of the six departments at UTC, offers course units for entry-level students as part of the UTC Common Core, as well as for students pursuing different engineering majors (whether full-time or as a sandwich course). It also provides professional vocational training in engineering. Additionally, the department also awards research degrees at the master’s and PhD levels.

The Department hosts the LMAC and Heudiasyc laboratories. It maintains strong connections with industry in both teaching and research, and has established close links with international academic institutions and partners.

https://www.utc.fr/en/courses-and-training/the-utc-engineering-diploma/computer-sciences-and-engineering-gi/

The laboratory

Heudiasyc (UMR 7253) is a joint research unit supported by UTC and CNRS. It conducts multidisciplinary research focused on information science and technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, uncertain reasoning, operational research, networks, robotics, automation, and knowledge representation.

Heudiasyc’s activities are based on a synergy between basic research and technological research to better address the major societal challenges in the field of information science. Research is conducted in close collaboration with commercial partners, particularly in the industrial sector.

The laboratory’s scientific activity is organized around three teams with complementary skills:

o   The CID team (Knowledge, Uncertainties, and Data)

o   The SCOP team (Security, Communication, and Optimization)

o   The SyRI team (Interacting Robotic Systems)

The platforms and demonstrators developed at the laboratory testify to Heudiasyc’s commitment to applying its research to the complexities of real-world applications.

The laboratory has four platforms used in French national innovation programs (Equipex+), supported by research staff:

• Intelligent and autonomous vehicles,

• Aerial mini-drones,

• Rail traffic supervision,

• Virtual reality.

https://www.hds.utc.fr/en/research/technological-platforms/

Contract type and excepted start date

Fixed-term contract – expected duration of 2 to 3 years, with the possibility of extension – to be filled in early 2027

Gross monthly salary

From €2,590 to €5,000, depending on experience and funding

Application dates

From 29/07/2026 to 30/09/2026

Contacts

Véronique Cherfaoui, Professor, PI of the CAP Twinning of PostGenAI@Paris

veronique.cherfaoui@hds.utc.fr

Reine Talj, CNRS Researcher, co-PI of the CAP Twinning of PostGenAI@Paris

reine.talj@hds.utc.fr

Profile and keywords

Profile: Profile sought in one or several of the mentioned scientific axes of the CAP Twinning project.

Keywords: AI, Autonomous Vehicle, Human-Machine Interaction, Perception, Decision and Trajectory Planning, Shared Control.

Qualification

Required degree: PhD

A PhD degree is not required at the time of application, but it will be required following the interview

Field: Computer science, robotics and related discipline

The recruited candidate will be expected to:

·        Work collaboratively and contribute to the scientific coordination and animation of the CAP initiative,

·        Show interest in technological research and industrial partnerships,

·        Demonstrate proficiency in English,

·        Disseminate research results through publications and other forms of valorization,

·        Teach diverse student audiences.