Full Professor in Information Theory
Open-ended public sector contract
Job Description:
About CentraleSupélec
CentraleSupélec is a leading engineering school within the Paris-Saclay University. It is a prominent public institution (EPSCP in French) that operates under the authority of the French ministers for higher education and industry. CentraleSupélec mainly focuses on training high-level scientific engineers, conducting research in engineering and systems sciences, and providing executive education. As part of its development, CentraleSupélec is opening a position for a full Professor with an open-ended public-sector contract. The recruited person will teach in the Signal, Information, Communication (SIC) Department and will carry out their research within the Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes (L2S).
The SIC Department covers a continuum of disciplinary fields in information and communication sciences and technologies, including information theory, signal processing, data science, statistical learning, optimization, and communication networks. Its mission is to train students in the Engineering and Bachelor programs at CentraleSupélec, as well as in research-oriented Master’s programs of the Université Paris-Saclay.
L2S, created in 1974, is a joint research unit of CNRS, CentraleSupélec, and Université Paris-Saclay (UMR 8506, ZRR). Its research focuses on fundamental and applied mathematical aspects of control theory, signal and image processing, and information and communication theory.
Teaching Responsibilities
The recruited professor will teach courses within the degree programs of CentraleSupélec in data and information sciences (information theory, digital communications, signal processing, statistics and learning, etc.), linking them with major engineering and societal challenges (climate, sustainable development, sovereignty, security, health…).
The recruited professor may also take on responsibilities in the development of current curricula in the Engineering programs, in collaboration with industrial partners (projects, thematic modules, third-year specialization tracks), as well as in other programs at CentraleSupélec, including Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science.
In particular, the recruited professor may lead a teaching team within the third-year specialization track « Information and Communication Engineering » (ICE), focusing on courses that integrate information theory and statistics.
The recruited professor will ensure that their teaching projects address the challenges of digital, energy, and ecological transitions.
The capacity to teach in English is required.
Research Responsibilities
The recruited professor will join L2S within the Telecommunications and Networks research group. This group gathers expertise from lower layers of the protocol stack (digital communications, resource allocation…), to the application layer (robust compression, content security…), including network layers (routing, virtualization…). Members work in synergy to address current challenges in telecommunications and multimedia, particularly in mobile networks, sensor networks, and vehicular networks. The group also focuses on developing generic tools such as information theory, game theory, stochastic geometry, and learning techniques, aiming at the global optimization of studied systems. From fundamental research, they also strive to bring results closer to industrial use, especially through collaborative projects.
The recruited professor will develop research activities in information theory, with a focus on modern applications. Targeted themes include, but are not limited to:
Characterization of fundamental limits of communication systems,
Source and channel coding, joint coding schemes,
Information theory for security and privacy,
Information theory for learning,
Quantum information theory.
Special consideration will be given to candidates proposing work that combines theory and applications, e.g., to wireless communication systems, sensor networks, (distributed) artificial intelligence, or digital privacy.
The recruited professor should demonstrate the ability to develop a visible international research activity, to lead large-scale research projects, to supervise doctoral students, and to contribute to national or European collaborative projects. They will be expected to be actively involved in the life of L2S and scientific outreach. They will benefit from the dynamic scientific environment of Université Paris-Saclay.
Qualifications and Experience
The recruited candidate will have demonstrated his capacity to supervise Ph.D. students in information theory. They will have significant research experience, demonstrated by publications in top journals and conferences in the field, as well as proven ability to supervise research. The candidate should also have demonstrated teamwork skills and the ability to conduct collaborative research with industrial and public/private institutions.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted by email to the following email address: drh.pole-enseignant@centralesupelec.fr before August 31th, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Paris time), and quoting reference 2514_PR_SIC_L2S in the subject line. The electronic application must include the following PDF files:
A cover letter
A detailed CV containing teaching experience, research, mobility, publications, etc.
A 5 to 10-page research and teaching project that meets the requirements of CentraleSupélec
A copy of the identity card or passport
A copy of the doctoral degree
Thesis defense report
Letters of recommendation (optional)
Any other documents that prove they previous experience.
Interview process:
For shortlisted candidates, the audition will consist of three parts:
A 20-minute presentation of their background and integration project;
A 10-minute presentation on how their teaching or research activity aligns with at least one of CentraleSupelec’s three strategic axes;
A 30-minute discussion with the committee members.
Scientific Contacts:
Charles Soussen, Head of the SIC Department: charles.soussen@centralesupelec.fr
Frédéric Dufaux, Head of the Telecommunications and Networks Group at L2S: frederic.dufaux@centralesupelec.fr
