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Thesis In Underwater Robotics Contribution To a Digital Twin Architecture For The Design Of Underwater Drones M - F H/F
Ifremer
IT, Design
La Seyne-sur-Mer, France
Posted on May 28, 2026
Les missions du poste
Deadline for applications: 30/06/2026
Who are we?
At Ifremer, the candidate will work within the PRAO team at the Ifremer center in La Seyne-sur-Mer. The PRAO team specializes in Positioning, Robotics, Acoustics, and Optics. It is part of the Underwater Systems Unit and conducts research and development on sensors, processing algorithms, and onboard controllers for the French Oceanographic Fleet's underwater robots.
https://www.flotteoceanographique.fr/en/Who-we-are/Direction/Missions-and-team/The-Underwater-Systems-unit
At Mines PSL, the candidate will work at the Collège des sciences navales (CSN), a joint laboratory between Mines Paris - PSL and UIMM, located in Sophia-Antipolis and Toulon. In particular, the CSN develops real-time simulators for underwater robots and sensors for pilot training and for training and testing algorithms based on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
https://www.minesparis.psl.eu/crc/le-college-des-sciences-navales/
What is the topic of the thesis?
The design of underwater drones faces serious engineering challenges and high operating costs
restrict testing in real-world conditions. Moreover, the available data for training control or mission
planning algorithms generally lack definition and coverage.
To overcome these limitations to innovation, simulators offer a promising avenue, particularly for
generating large, realistic synthetic databases. However, currently available simulators either
integrate only certain targeted physical models (rather than the entire system) or offer a realistic-
looking graphical environment without physical considerations. They are also lacking in models
representative of the deep seabed.
This research project aims to contribute to the development of a real-time drone simulator integrating realistic physical models of flow, energy consumption, and sensors (acoustic, visual) within an optimized computing platform. This platform will generate synthetic data for testing or training statistical learning or reinforcement learning algorithms. The work will initially focus on the real-time simulation of acoustic data acquisition (sonar, hydrophone, DVL, USBL) at short ranges (from a kilometer to a few meters) by a moving robot. The modeling will include the relevant physical properties of the elements composing the underwater scene. The simulations will be validated through specific sea trials and the replay of data recorded during oceanographic campaigns.
The project thus highlights the need to take into account the interactions between robot models and the underwater environment, similar to the practices that are developing in terrestrial robotics for the design of control laws and autonomous navigation algorithms.
What will your mission and activities be?
- Conduct a state-of-the-art review of physical and numerical models implemented in real-time simulations of the behavior of underwater robots and underwater sensors, particularly acoustic sensors.
- Model underwater robots, sensors (especially acoustic sensors), and relevant physicochemical properties of underwater scenes, and then integrate these models into a realistic real-time physical simulator. This work will build upon the real-time simulation software components already implemented by the CSN and Ifremer.
- Writing academic papers and participating in national and international conferences.
Key words :
Underwater robotics, digital twins, modeling, machine learning
How are your activities organized?
- The candidate will primarily be based within the CSN teams at the Sophia-Antipolis and Toulon sites.
- Regular (monthly) travel to the Ifremer site in La Seyne-sur-Mer will be required.
- Bi-monthly meetings, either online or in person, will be held with the entire Mines/Ifremer supervisory team.
Le profil recherché
Who are you?
- Master in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)
You have the following skills, knowledge and experience :
- Applied Mathematics
- Modeling (physical / numerical)
- Computer Science (C++ / Python)
- Robotics
- First experience in academic research
You have the following qualities :
- Independent
- Rigorous
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Taste for academic research
Bienvenue chez Ifremer
Join Ifremer, an ally of planetary well-being, to gain a better understanding of and better protection for the ocean.
From the abyss to the surface, from the coast to the open SEA, Ifremer is the French research institute that is wholly dedicated to the Ocean. Its teams carry out research, innovate and produce expert reports to protect the ocean, exploit its resources in a responsible manner and shares marine data.
Ifremer contributes its scientific expertise to throw light on public policies and develops solutions drawn from the ocean to meet the challenges of the ecological transition. Ifremer is the operator of France's oceanographic fleet with its shipbuilding subsidiary Genavir, and imagines, designs and deploys leading edge technological means to solve the ocean's mysteries.
Join our teams, made up of 1500 scientists and research support staff, present all along the coastal areas of France and French overseas territories.
www.ifremer.fr
Infos complémentaires
What are your benefits?
- We have a teleworking agreement and our staff have 12 comp time days (after 6 months' seniority) and supra statutory leave.
- We allocate a significant budget to developing skills, through individual or collective training actions.
- We have a CSR policy inspired by the purposes of the institute (sustainable mobility allowance, etc.)
How to apply?
Your application file must include in a pdf file :
- a curriculum vitae
- a covering letter
- a reference letter
- an academic transcript (Bachelor + Master 1 and first semester Master 2)
The deadline for applications is 30th of June, 2026. Nevertheless, we strongly urge you to let us know as soon as possible of your intention to apply, by contacting the subject supervisor:
- Sébastien Travadel
- Maxime Ferrera
- Nicolas Gobillot
Doctoral students' contracts will start as of October 5th, 2026, subject to the submission of administrative documents authorizing Ifremer to recruit the doctoral student (certificate of completion of the Master 2 or engineering degree + visa for foreign doctoral students outside the EU).
What are the next steps?
- Review of your application
- In-person or video conference interview
- Interview before a doctoral school committee, with representatives from the doctoral school and Ifremer
- Approval of your application by the doctoral school council
La carte
Zone Portuaire de Brégaillon
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer
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Publiée le 28/05/2026 - Réf : 4100599/28973092 2026-1878/1