Phd - Strong Sustainability & network design F/M
ref :2025-42349 | 08 Mar 2025
apply before : 30 Sep 2025
- 4 Rue du Clos Courtel, 35510 CESSON SEVIGNE - France
about the role
Your role is to carry out a thesis on : ‘Telecoms network design under strong sustainability constraints’.
Overall context and problems of the subject
- The concept of sustainable development (Brundtland Report 1987) proposes a framework for thinking about a model of economic development that ‘meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’. The first implementations of this approach involved promoting economic growth while simultaneously trying to reduce environmental impacts (weak sustainability).
- The consequences of this approach lead to a significant deterioration in the environment, with impacts on the day-to-day life of society (climate crises, supply chains, etc.).
- Like many industrial sectors, the digital ecosystem is navigating a landscape of existential uncertainties (VUCA, BANI, etc.) and the business models of European telecoms operators are under strain.
- We need to support the development of new approaches to breakthrough sustainability (strong sustainability) that take into account consumer needs, territorial issues and all stakeholders (living/non-living, human & non-human).
Scientific objective - results and challenges
Scientific objective - results and challenges
The aim of the thesis is to work on the implementation of a methodology for designing telecom networks under strong sustainability constraints.
The main obstacles and challenges to be overcome (scientific or technical)
- Identifying the real and genuine needs of stakeholders and the region
Propose the key factors to be taken into account (stakeholders, their relationships, governance, organisations, etc.)
- Identify the specific features and main challenges of network design in the context of ecological transition.
- Transcribe the aspects of strong sustainability for the design of telecoms networks by integrating living issues - identify the impacts of solutions on living and non-living organisms.
Approaches recommended to overcome these barriers
- Formulation of ecosystem needs (Max Neef)
- Systems modelling, systemic analysis, material flow analysis
-Development of business model frameworks Triple compatibility methodology
Main deliverables (apart from publications and writing the manuscript)
- Guide to identifying real needs based on a context of strong sustainability
- Implementation scenarios to suggest network design trajectories with a view to integrating aspects of strong sustainability: environment, regeneration, planetary limits, social ethics, etc.
- Recommendations for the design of networks integrating aspects of strong sustainability to meet real needs with a view to ensuring the resilience of territories
about you
Skills (scientific and technical) and personal qualities required by the position :
- Telecoms networks, electronics, energy, etc.
- LCA, eco-design, strong/weak sustainability, entropy, etc.
Education required
- Engineering school (Centrale Supelec, Ecole des Mines, Ecole Centrale, INSA, UTT, UTC, ENSAM, INP, Polytech, etc.) or
- Master 2 in telecoms, environment, etc.
- Mixed profile with technical skills & human sciences (sociology, economics, environment, philosophy...). Training such as INSA/Science Po, or UTC/Hutech, Centrale Nantes LowTech option strongly preferred,
- Desired experience (internships, etc.) : Telecom, environment, LowTech, in the field of the environment
additional information
This is a ground-breaking subject because it proposes a systemic approach to the design of networks, integrating relations with living and non-living things, resilience/robustness, etc., and is not limited to objectives of technical and economic performance and/or reductions in environmental impact.
The innovative approach lies in the fact that it goes beyond the vision of the three pillars of sustainable development by adopting an integrative vision and a socio-techno-ecological approach in which the economy is a means and the preservation of the environment the absolute priority.
The fundamentals of this approach are based on work initiated since the publication of the (Meadows) report by the Club of Rome (1972).
The results obtained will provide the keys to developing, building and maintaining telecoms networks with the lowest possible environmental impact (no or no more extraction of raw materials, etc.).
This thesis will be associated with a collaborative project of the Eco SD association on strong sustainability with industrial (RTE, etc.) and academic (Mines de St Etienne, UBS, ENSAM, etc.) partners.
department
The ambition of the Innovation Division is to take Orange's innovation even further and strengthen its technological leadership, by mobilising our research capabilities to nurture responsible innovation that serves people, informs the Group's long-term strategic choices and influences the global digital ecosystem.
We train the experts in today's and tomorrow's technologies, and ensure continuous improvement in the performance of our services and our efficiency. The Innovation division employs 6,000 people worldwide dedicated to research and innovation, including 740 researchers. With a global vision and a wide range of profiles (researchers, engineers, designers, developers, data scientists, sociologists, graphic designers, marketers, cybersecurity experts, etc.), the men and women of Innovation listen to and serve the countries, regions and business units to make Orange a trusted multiservice operator.
‘At Innovation, you will be part of a research team at the forefront of innovation and expertise in the networks of the future (5G+, virtualisation, fixed-mobile convergence, mobile, etc.) and in reducing their environmental impact. You will be part of a research ecosystem working alongside research engineers in anticipation (shorter term) to enable the concrete implementation of the concepts studied, benefiting from simulation platforms (4G/5G).
contract
Thesis
Only your skills matter
Regardless of your age, gender, origin, religion, sexual orientation, neuroatypia, disability or appearance, we encourage diversity within our teams because it is a strength for the collective and a vector of innovation. Orange Group is a disabled-friendly company: don't hesitate to tell us about your specific needs.
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