Assistant Professor Indoor Environmental Quality permanent position at IMT Nord Europe

IMT Nord Europe is a public institution of Institut Mines-Télécom (IMT), under the supervision of the French Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. IMT Nord Europe has 3 main missions: training responsible engineers able to solve the major challenges of the 21st century; carrying out research leading to high-value innovations; and supporting territorial development, in particular by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Its objective is to train the engineers of tomorrow, proficient in both digital technologies and industrial know-how. Ideally located at the crossroads of Europe, 1 hour from Paris, 30 minutes from Brussels and 1.5 hours from London, IMT Nord Europe intends to become a major player in the industrial, digital and environmental transformations of the 21st century by combining engineering sciences and digital technologies in both its teaching and its research.

Located on 2 main teaching and research campuses, in Lille and Douai, IMT Nord Europe relies on more than 20,000 m² of laboratories to develop high-level teaching and research excellence in the following areas:

•      Energy Environment

•      Digital Systems

•      Materials and Processes

The School also has sites in Dunkerque, Valenciennes and Alençon.

For more details, please visit the School's website: www.imt-nord-europe.fr

The position is open within the Centre for Education, Research and Innovation Energy and Environment (CERI EE) (https://research.imt-nord-europe.fr/energy-and-environment/).

CERI EE conducts research at the heart of the energy and environmental transitions. Its research focuses on atmospheric sciences, indoor environmental quality, and issues related to energy efficiency and decarbonization. The CERI is organized into three research axes: EFT (Energy, Fluids and Transfers), OSPA (Observations, Sources and Atmospheric Physico-Chemical Processes) and IEQ (Indoor Environmental Quality).

The IEQ research axis addresses the study, identification and characterization of pollutant sources in enclosed and/or confined spaces, the analysis of interactions between indoor air and materials, and the study of how environments influence occupants' exposure and well-being. The scientific issues addressed span multiple scales, ranging from the integration of innovative materials and energy systems to their impacts on indoor spaces and their occupants. In a context marked by climate change and growing demands in terms of IEQ and energy efficiency, particular attention is given to adaptation and mitigation strategies, as well as to the roles of occupant behavior and the various sources of exposure.

This position aims to strengthen and develop the IEQ research axis within the CERI. IEQ involves the study of multiple comfort parameters (temperature, humidity, noise, lighting) and of air composition in enclosed environments (residences, workspaces, transportation, etc.), in order to ensure the well-being and health of occupants. These environments must reconcile the environmental and energy transitions with air quality and occupant comfort.

The ambition is to consolidate IMT Nord Europe's position in this field, with a synergy between research and education. The aim is to strengthen an interdisciplinary research and teaching network on this topic in response to the expectations of society, public authorities and socio-economic stakeholders. Recruitment is based on a research and teaching project led by a PhD holder and aligned with this strategy.

In this context, IMT Nord Europe is recruiting a Lecturer / Assistant Professor whose missions are described below.

MISSIONS :

Under the authority of the Director of CERI EE, the position holder will participate in teaching, research and technology transfer activities:

Research and technology transfer activities (75%):

Within the general framework of the scientific strategy described above, the research will aim to develop scientific knowledge and tools with the goal of improving the air quality of indoor environments (particularly, but not exclusively, in buildings), as well as the health, comfort and exposure of occupants, while supporting the transformations of the built environment required by the ecological and energy transition.

Expected research topics may include:

•      Preserving IEQ in the face of climate change and the necessary adaptation to this change;

•      The contributions of indoor environments to occupant exposure, incorporating methods for assessing and optimizing occupant exposure and comfort;

•      The impacts of the energy sobriety of innovative and sustainable energy systems on IEQ.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

•      Develop high-level research activity in the field of IEQ,

•      Initiate, lead and coordinate regional, national and, eventually, European research projects,

•      Develop contract research and technology transfer initiatives in partnership with stakeholders from the socio-economic sector,

•      Build bridges between the thematic axes of CERI EE and the other CERIs, in connection with the fields of excellence of IMT Nord Europe and Institut Mines Télécom,

•      Supervise doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers and Master's students,

•      Prepare the French accreditation to supervise research (Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches, HDR),

•      Contribute to the visibility of the research area in close collaboration with the other colleagues of the CERI, particularly at the international level,

•      Publish in leading conferences and journals in the field, and participate in the organization of scientific events.

Teaching activities (25%):

CERI EE is involved in all of the School's engineering programs. In particular, it oversees two of the School's eight specialization tracks: Energy Engineering (GE) and Environmental Engineering and Industrial Risks (GERI) in the initial training program, as well as an apprenticeship program in Energy Engineering. CERI EE also offers two Specialized Master's programs (MS): the MS in Positive Energy Buildings and the MS in Occupational and Technological Risk Management. CERI EE also provides continuing education courses, particularly in connection with IEQ. Finally, CERI EE plans to develop, in the short term, an International Master's program entitled "Engineering of Sustainable and Healthy Built Environment", in which the successful candidate will support those responsible for developing this program.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

•      In connection with the ongoing development of the International Master's program "Engineering of Sustainable and Healthy Built Environment", propose a teaching project that will, in part, support the leaders of this Master's program, notably by:

–     Contributing to the pedagogical finalization and promotion of this new program,

–     Contributing to the teaching and tutoring of the Master's students. Building on the European EuLiST alliance, this Master's program aims to align research and teaching activities. These courses must be taught in English.

•      Contribute to teaching activities in the various programs offered by the School, within their area of specialization (IEQ) and in related fields (e.g. chemistry, thermodynamics, etc.) depending on their disciplinary background;

•      Contribute to teaching activities across all programs offered by IMT Nord Europe, based on their areas of expertise and on educational needs;

•      Contribute to the implementation of pedagogical innovations incorporating digital tools (MOOCs, flipped classroom, etc.),

•      Engage in pedagogical supervision activities (projects, internships, tutoring) and selection processes (competitive examinations).

PROFILE: (Prerequisites / Degree)

The successful candidate must hold a PhD and have research experience in the field of IEQ or in a discipline contributing to its study, such as the physical chemistry of indoor air, individual exposure assessment, or the energy and environmental performance of buildings. The profile sought relies above all on strong experimental skills, complemented by a solid understanding of the challenges and simulation tools related to indoor air quality. The ability to conduct research at disciplinary interfaces is therefore sought, in order to link issues of occupant exposure and comfort with building characteristics and strategies for improving their energy performance.

The candidate is expected to:

•      Demonstrate an ability to grasp the multidisciplinary challenges related to IEQ, with a scientific openness allowing for the integration of diverse issues and work at disciplinary interfaces;

•      Demonstrate an aptitude for developing new skills in disciplinary fields complementary to their initial profile;

•      Possess a good understanding of the industrial and societal challenges related to the position's themes;

•      Demonstrate high-quality scientific activity, evidenced by publications in high-impact journals and conferences, ideally in collaboration with international teams;

•      Present, if possible, experience in setting up and managing projects funded through competitive calls for proposals, with a track record of securing external funding, or demonstrate an ability to coordinate collective initiatives;

•      Show an interest in knowledge transfer and teaching, ideally demonstrating experience with pedagogical innovations (MOOCs, hybrid teaching, active learning methods);

•      Demonstrate organizational and interpersonal skills in order to interact effectively with all stakeholders (including teaching, research, technical support and industrial partners);

•      Demonstrate autonomy, initiative, a collective spirit and a strong sense of public service;

•      Possess strong skills in scientific communication and outreach, in both French and English.

International experience, participation in collaborative projects, and an initial network within academic and/or industrial communities will be considered valuable assets. The preparation of the HDR will be part of the successful candidate's career development.

The administrative base is in Douai. Regular travel is expected to all of the School's campuses, particularly for teaching, but also more generally within France and internationally as part of research activities.