PhD Student in Low-Tech Buildings and Climate Adaptation Mines Saint-Étienne, France

Summary

The position is a PhD student role at Mines Saint-Étienne, within the Environmental Engineering for Organizations department and linked to the CNRS UMR 5600 laboratory. The research forms part of the PERENNIS project and focuses on low‑tech building maintenance strategies under climate change, analysing resource, knowledge, stakeholder and technical dependencies at the urban scale. The candidate will conduct literature reviews, interviews, field work, data analysis and scenario development, and will produce an analytical framework and alternative strategies. The role includes a 3‑6 month international research stay, a gross monthly salary of €2,600, and requires a master’s degree, qualitative research skills, and fluency in French and working English.

Key Facts

Department	Environmental Engineering for Organizations department
Position Type	PhD
Discipline	Environmental Engineering
Research Area	Low-Tech Buildings and Climate Adaptation
Degree Required	Master's degree
Salary	€2,600 per month (gross)
Funding	Salary
Language	French (fluent), English (working)
Deadline	2026-11-15
Required Documents	CV, Cover letter, Academic transcripts, Reference contact details, Relevant research work, Recommendation letters (1-2)

About the Project

The PhD project is embedded in the PERENNIS project and investigates how low‑tech approaches can reduce dependencies in building maintenance as climate conditions evolve. It will identify four dependency types—resources, knowledge and expertise, stakeholders and contractual relationships, and technical and logistical networks—map their patterns at the urban scale, and develop and evaluate alternative low‑tech maintenance strategies with stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct literature reviews
• Perform interviews and field research
• Analyze diverse data sets
• Develop scenarios and an analytical framework
• Map dependency patterns at the urban scale
• Propose and assess low‑tech maintenance strategies
• Collaborate with two other doctoral researchers
• Undertake an international research stay of 3‑6 months

Required Skills

• Qualitative research methods
• Systemic and prospective analysis
• Understanding of building operation and maintenance
• Fluent French
• Working English
• Familiarity with R, Python, or QGIS (appreciated)

Who Should Apply

Applicants who hold a master’s degree (Bac +5) in engineering, environmental science, civil or building‑energy engineering, geography, planning or a related discipline, and who have interest or experience in humanities and social sciences. Candidates should possess qualitative research abilities, systemic and prospective analysis skills, knowledge of building operation and maintenance, and be fluent in French with working English. Familiarity with R, Python or QGIS is advantageous.

Benefits

• Gross monthly salary of €2,600
• Opportunity for a 3‑6 month international research stay

About the Employer

Mines Saint‑Étienne, Institut Henri Fayol, hosts the position within its Environmental Engineering for Organizations department and is affiliated with the CNRS UMR 5600 Environment, City and Society laboratory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

The deadline is November 15, 2026.

What is the gross monthly salary?

The gross monthly salary is €2,600.

How long is the expected international research stay?

The stay is expected to last between 3 and 6 months.

Which languages are required for the position?

Fluent French and working English are required.

What documents must be submitted with the application?

A CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, reference contact details, relevant research work, and one or two recommendation letters.