Engineer/Post-doc – Stretchable Electronics & Optics for Artificial Skin
Job Description
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.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit their application through the Institut Mines-Télécom Recruitée platform.
Mandatory documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Cover letter.
Additional documents:
- Letter of recommendation, if applicable.
- Proof of identity.
Official Application Portal:
Official Job Advertisement:
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.
Application Deadline: 15 December 2026.
