Full Professor in Computer Science specialized in AI and Robotics Crossing IRL

IMT Atlantique internationally recognized for the quality of its research, is a leading technological university under the authority of the Ministry of Industry and Digital Technologies, ranked in the three main international rankings (THE, SHANGHAI, QS).

The position is open on the main Crossing site, at the University of Adelaide, Southern Australia.

Thematic and research challenges

With the development of systems of increasing autonomy involving Artificial Intelligence techniques, the collaboration between human beings and robots raises new challenges that are not only scientific but also in the applicative and ethical realm.

Autonomous systems must increase their capacity to perceive and interpret their dynamic environment but they also need to develop their interaction with one or several human beings at both tactical and strategic level. This implies to understand how human beings behave in such interaction situations with autonomous systems, to define new interaction paradigms between human beings and autonomous systems based on new common activity models.

The Crossing IRL (CNRS, University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, Flinders University, IMT Atlantique, Naval Group) is one of the key actors for IMT Atlantique to develop those research activities. The hired professor will work at the Crossing IRL. The privileged application domains are the maritime domain, energy, space and assistive robotics.

Collective responsibility and involvement in economic development

It is expected that the hired professor will be able to hold the position of Crossing director, subject to the approval of all Crossing partners. This involves scientific, technical, financial, human dimensions. Activities include building a scientific vision and prospective, daily management of the lab, partnership development, communication, transfer and at large every activity required by the development and daily management of the lab to pursue its scientific objectives.

The hired Professor will also develop and implement their own research activity at an international level in order to build a large vision of the research domains of the lab and be able to orient the scientific choices required by the lab team management. The hired Professor will organize and animate the scientific and technological trajectory of the lab.

In addition, in an environment of privileged relations with major national and international industrial partners, as well as a dense network of SMEs and start-ups, the recruited Professor will contribute to the school's reputation and economic development, particularly through the valorization of his/her work by patenting or technology transfer. With 290 permanent faculty members, 2,000 students including 300 PhD students, IMT Atlantique produces 1,000 publications every year and raises 18M€ in research funds.

Please read carefully the mandatory and expected qualities of candidates for Professor positions at IMT Atlantique at the following address:

https://www.imt-atlantique.fr/en/about/work/faculty-member/skills-full-professor

In the case of this open position, a special and complementary emphasis will be put on the candidates’ skills in these fields of Computer Science: robotics, artificial intelligence, HCI.

Relevant experience in scientific team or lab management and/or experience in large international research projects is sought. Skills in scientific cooperation, research animation and/or scientific mediation will be appreciated.

Remarks

The position will be located on the Crossing lab site at Adelaide, Southern Australia.

Travel within Australia for academic and industrial partnership development will be required. A few international trips including toward France will also be required.

Schedule

Deadline for applications:  March 31, 2025 23h59 Paris time

Date of Recruitment interview: July 4th, 2025

Starting date: September 2025

Application documents:

·         Application form - (please downloaded HERE)

·         CV

·         Cover letter

·         Copy of diplomas or certificate of achievement

·         Copy of identity card or passport

·         Integration project on: Research, Project for Crossing

·         Report of your thesis and/or habilitation thesis (if applicable)

·         Report of the juror’s report for thesis and/or habilitation thesis (if applicable)

·         Any other evidence that may support your application

Contact

For any further information, please contact : Guillaume MOREAU – Dean of Research and Innovation – (+33) 229 00 1088 – Guillaume.moreau@imt-atlantique.fr