Postdoctoral Researcher in UnStrain: Revealing Mobility Tensions through Representational Learning – 18-Month Fixed-Term Contract at Institut Mines-Télécom – France

Summary

Télécom SudParis, part of Institut Mines-Télécom and co-founder of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for an 18-month fixed-term contract in Palaiseau, France. The role focuses on the UnStrain project, which aims to reveal mobility tensions through representational learning. The successful candidate will develop generative and learning models to integrate mobility flows, transport networks, land use, and socio-demographic data to identify and evaluate interventions for reducing mobility tensions. Applicants should hold a doctorate or be nearing completion of their thesis, possess excellent skills in mathematical modeling and analysis, and good programming skills. Experience in deep learning, representation learning, and spatial data science is desired. The position offers 44 days of vacation, teleworking possibilities, and public transport accessibility.

Key Facts

Department	Télécom SudParis
Position Type	Postdoctoral Researcher
Discipline	Digital Science and Technology
Research Area	Mobility Tensions, Representational Learning, Generative Models, Spatial Data Science, Transport Networks, Land Use, Socio-demographic Data
Degree Required	Doctorate
Experience	Experience in deep learning and representation learning; experience in spatial data science.
Contract Duration	18-month fixed-term contract
Employer Address	Palaiseau, Île-de-France, France
Employer Contact	Vincent Gauthier and Andrea Araldo – [email protected]; [email protected]

About the Project

The UnStrain project aims to reveal mobility tensions by developing generative and learning models of representations. These models will integrate mobility flows, transport networks, land use, and socio-demographic data into a common latent space. The goal is to identify interpretable mobility tensions and evaluate potential interventions to reduce them. The project will also check the consistency of detected tensions with established indicators of territorial imbalances and evaluate the method's contributions compared to a priori definitions.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire, clean, align, and combine mobility flows, transport networks, land use data, and socio-demographic data.
• Design data representations and preprocessing pipelines for heterogeneous spatial data sources.
• Implement and train generative and representation learning models.
• Build vector representations of spatial units and develop methods to extract and interpret latent mobility tensions.
• Analyze the relationships between mobility demand, land use, transport supply, and observed mobility.
• Compare detected tensions to established indicators: mobility-related precariousness, public transport deserts, food deserts, and job-housing imbalance.
• Evaluate complex multifactorial configurations not captured by existing predefined indicators.
• Design and evaluate transport intervention scenarios aimed at reducing detected mobility tensions.
• Program experiments, analyze results, and ensure the reproducibility of the computational pipeline.
• Present and publish results, and collaborate with Mobidec partners as well as relevant industrial and institutional stakeholders.

Required Skills

• Excellent skills in mathematical modeling and analysis.
• Good programming skills.
• Experience in deep learning and representation learning (desired).
• Experience in spatial data science (desired).
• Rigour, project management methodology.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with people at all levels, a listening and cooperative spirit.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Strict adherence to confidentiality obligations regarding the data used.

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for individuals with a doctorate or those nearing thesis completion, who possess strong mathematical modeling, analysis, and programming skills. Candidates with experience in deep learning, representation learning, and spatial data science are particularly encouraged to apply. The role requires a rigorous, cooperative, and team-oriented individual with excellent interpersonal skills and adherence to confidentiality.

Benefits

• 44 days of vacation
• Possibility of teleworking
• On-site restaurant and cafeteria
• Accessible by public transport (with employer contribution) or close to major roads
• Staff association and sports association on campus
• Accommodations available upon request for candidates with disabilities

About the Employer

Télécom SudParis is a leading public engineering school in digital science and technology, with 1,000 students including 700 engineering students and approximately 150 doctoral candidates. It is part of the Institut Mines-Télécom, the leading group of engineering schools in France, and a co-founder of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris). The Institut Mines-Télécom is a public institution dedicated to higher education and research for innovation in engineering and digital technology, with strong ties to companies and a focus on major 21st-century transformations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of this postdoctoral contract?

This is an 18-month fixed-term contract.

What is the main objective of the UnStrain project?

The main objective is to reveal mobility tensions through representational learning by integrating various data sources to identify and evaluate interventions.

What are the essential skills required for this position?

Essential skills include excellent mathematical modeling and analysis skills, and good programming skills.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a CV (max 2 pages), a 5-line explanation of their profile's match, a document presenting up to 3 best publications, and all grades obtained in Bachelor's and Master's level courses.

Who are the contact persons for this position?

The contact persons are Lecturers Vincent Gauthier and Andrea Araldo, whose email addresses are [email protected] and [email protected].

What are some of the benefits offered with this position?

Benefits include 44 days of vacation, possibility of teleworking, on-site restaurant and cafeteria, and accessibility by public transport.