Work-Study Programme in IoT and AI Systems Applied to Smart Buildings H/F

Abstract

Accelerating industrialization and the world's growing population lead to crises in energy demand and global warming. Buildings, as one of the highest energy-consuming sectors, play an important role in this energy inflation. Technological advancement in sensory technologies and soft computing techniques can play an important role in facing this challenge. Integration of sensors and implementing advanced control systems in buildings can improve their performance and reduce their negative impacts while maintaining the comfort of occupants. Within this apprenticeship, we will discover how it could happen on a small scale and how a research laboratory contributes to this area of research.

Research Work

Nowadays, with energy crises and global warming, we have entered a new era of human civilization. The population of countries is increasing gradually, and has expanded the energy demand to higher levels. Drastic industrialization is propagating this challenge and not only enlarges the energy demand but also leads us to a disastrous environmental condition. Around the world, as well as in Europe, countries are trying to cope with this challenge. As an example in France, in the frame of a national energy plan, multiple goals are set to face this problem. For instance, by 2030, greenhouse gas emissions should be reduced by 40% compared with 1990, or the final energy consumption should drop by 20% in 2030, compared with 2012.

In Europe, buildings are responsible for 40% of the final energy consumption and 35% of greenhouse gas emissions. They, as one of the highest-consuming sectors, can play a decisive role in achieving these objectives.

Technological development and innovations in the Internet of Things domain and soft-computing techniques (like artificial intelligence and optimization techniques) can accelerate to reach our objectives in this matter. Day after day, more buildings are integrated with these kinds of technologies that can improve their performance. Within this apprenticeship, we will discover step by step how sensory installation in spaces can improve the performance of buildings with the help of AI and ambient intelligence techniques. The center of the work will focus on energy consumption improvement and user comfort maintenance. In the LINEACT laboratory, there are several previous works focusing on this aspect. They are focusing on different domains in smart buildings, like energy consumption prediction, Airquality in buildings, occupancy prediction, and control applications for HVAC systems.

The apprenticeship lasts three years, and certain goals must be met each year. During three years, the candidate will develop programming skills in Python, data analysis, artificial intelligence techniques, and embedded systems, etc in building energy management systems.

Expected scientific/technical production

• First year:

  • Becoming familiar with the Internet of Things and the embedded system domain

  • Learning about different type of sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers

  • Exploring building energy management systems and smart buildings

  • Improving programming in Python and becoming familiar with different Python packages, including artificial intelligence packages

  • Knowing communication protocols

  • Writing a report

• Second year:

  • Taking on hand the installation of a small sensory network

  • Defining scenarios for collecting data

  • Exploring data analysis

  • Doing a state-of-the-art in this domain

  • Writing a report

• Third year:

  • Processing the collected data

  • Developing simple AI models

  • Analysing the results

  • Writing a scientific paper

  • Writing a report

Skills

Scientific and technical skills: C or C++ programming, Python, Fundamentals of electronics and networks, Good knowledge of English.

Interpersonal skills: independent, organized, responsible, passionate about science, and motivated by research.

Terms & Benefits

Contract: Apprenticeship, starting from October 2026

Location: Arras

Work-study programme only

Gross annual salary over 12 months, depending on the level of qualification being studied for

90% of health insurance costs covered;

Profit-sharing and incentive schemes;

Remote working 4 days per month (after 3 months’ service);

Meal vouchers 100% covered by CESI.