ISEN pushes the frontiers of modern science and engineering through teaching and research. Our mission is to seek solutions to generate innovation, to advance the progress of research, to disseminate knowledge, to deliver world-class, research-based education to students and to facilitate technology transfer to improve our society.

Research at ISEN is driven by the initiative of researchers either pursuing their own individual research projects or acting in collaboration with other colleagues. ISEN aims at supporting their efforts and leadership by providing multidisciplinary communities that facilitate and foster research activities. ISEN also supports research through the funding of positions, the provision of space and support to laboratories.

A multidisciplinary, broad-based approach is central to research at ISEN. We believe that the most promising opportunities for discovery exist at the intersections of disciplines. Our close collaboration with other colleges and universities on the three campuses and with the industry strengthens our research activities. To guide our growth, we have identified three major areas for long-term investment :

Information Technology

Hardware, software and communications are the basis of Information Technology. Research in this field ranges from basic science, through materials and devices, to systems and applications.

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

Advancing the science and technology of very small structures holds vast opportunities for research and application development. Research in this field ranges from theoretical studies to experimental achievements.

Bio-engineering

A fusion of engineering and the life sciences promises new discoveries and technologies to improve human health and environment. Our activities in this field are expanding.

Currently, research at ISEN consists of more than 150 faculty/staff/students (30 of them being CNRS researchers) who belong to 8 laboratories: Physics (Lille), Electronics (Lille & Toulon), Micro/Nano-electronics (Lille & Toulon), Acoustics (Brest & Lille), Computer Science (Brest, Lille & Toulon), Signal Processing (Lille & Toulon), Optoelectronics (Brest) and Microsystems (Lille). Furthermore, ISEN is one of the regulatory authorities of two Joint Research Units, namely IEMN (UMR 8520 - Lille) and IM2NP (UMR 6242 – Marseille).

The annual turnover of the 8 laboratories is around 1.5 million euros, thanks to research contracts with industrial partners, French public institutions like the National Research Agency (NRA) or international organizations like the European Commission. A synthesis of the scientific production for 2008 shows that more than 120 papers have been published in peer review international journals and that approximately 130 communications have been given in international conferences.

Finally, doctoral programs are available for French and international students thanks to the accreditations of ISEN education programs by doctoral schools of different French universities. ISEN researchers can be involved in these doctoral programs offered by Universities. They can supervise and promote complementary doctoral programs for ISEN students and coordinate PhD courses.

Contact : Didier.Stievenard@isen.fr (VP for Research) Tel +33 (3) 20 30 40 50 Fax : +33 (3) 20 30 40 51.