Post-Doctoral Research Visit F/M Game-theoretic modeling and analysis of carbon-emission constrained mobile networks deployment and management

Post-Doctoral Research Visit F/M Game-theoretic modeling and analysis of carbon-emission constrained mobile networks deployment and management Download job offer in PDF format Level of qualifications required : PhD or equivalent Fonction : Post-Doctoral Research Visit Level of experience : Recently graduated About the research centre or Inria department The Inria Centre at Rennes University is one of Inria's nine centres and has more than thirty research teams. The Inria Centre is a major and recognized player in the field of digital sciences. It is at the heart of a rich R&D and innovation ecosystem: highly innovative PMEs, large industrial groups, competitiveness clusters, research and higher education players, laboratories of excellence, technological research institute, etc. Context Within the framework of French National Research Agency (ANR) project CUTS (Carbon-conscious Usage and infrastructure for Traffic Sufficiency) A large number of mobile network operators have set a net-zero target for 2050, with some aiming for 2040. According to the prominent French environmental think tank The Shift Project [1], achieving these targets will require addressing the issue of sobriety (i.e., sufficiency in resource use): pursuing net zero requires designing network deployment policies that are compatible with physical constraints, while also considering the need to limit certain uses. In this context, drawing on network economics modelling and analysis [2], we will address the challenge of designing pricing and regulatory mechanisms to contain the intensity of mobile network usage, ensuring that traffic demand remains compatible with the capacity constraints of the mobile infrastructure. We will investigate the competitive framework and the effects of non-cooperation among actors, with the aim of developing novel modelling and analytical techniques and identifying effective strategies at the intersection of applied mathematics, economics, networking, and game theory. More specifically, we will examine how competition and non-cooperation affect the effectiveness of various policies designed to limit mobile traffic volumes. A first category of solutions involves pricing incentives, which can target end users but may be even more effective when directed at content and application providers. Dynamic pricing schemes could be applied through interconnection agreements and in-network content delivery network (CDN) pricing. These schemes could draw on congestion-based pricing mechanisms developed in telecommunications [3], that offer various ways to smooth demand, thereby reducing pressure on network infrastructure and potentially alleviating peak traffic loads, reducing the need for capacity expansion and lowering energy consumption. Pricing could therefore be linked to the level of network congestion. Initial research along these lines has been presented in [4], which provides quantitative insights into how regulators and service providers can balance economic incentives with climate-driven sustainability objectives in future mobile networks. A second category of solutions involves managing semi-elastic traffic, such as video streaming, according to network congestion or other sustainability-related criteria. The idea is to adapt service quality while leaving unaffected traffic whose volume cannot readily be reduced without completely blocking the service. Another avenue worth exploring is the design of service plans that offer higher performance and quality during off-peak periods, with quality automatically reduced during peak periods. A third category of solutions concerns the regulation of the attention economy. The business models of the largest content providers operating over mobile networks rely heavily on capturing consumer attention, monetizing advertising space on high-audience content and application services and selling user profiling data to advertising campaign managers. These incentives encourage providers to maximize the time users spend on their services by making them highly engaging, while favoring high-revenue content, such as video, despite its substantial demands on network resources. Several regulatory approaches could be considered, including imposing limits on service usage at the user level, potentially depending on the user's age, and restricting the volume of advertising content delivered per unit of time. The effects of such measures on resource consumption and competition would then need to be systematically quantified. Finally, regulating infrastructure sharing is another important avenue for investigation. This includes sharing passive and active network infrastructure, as well as frequency bands, among operators. Although regulators have already highlighted the importance of such arrangements, their impacts need to be quantified more precisely. The analysis should consider not only the potential savings in infrastructure resources and energy consumption, but also the consequences for the different stakeholders, particularly operators and end users. These effects deserve particular attention in competitive environments, where strategic interactions between operators may complicate the outcomes of infrastructure-sharing policies. The two-years postdoc will be hosted by ERMINE team in Rennes. Ermine designs and analyzes procedures and policies for efficiently managing network operations, but also works on the required measurement and monitoring of performance metrics. Contacts: bruno.tuffin@inria.fr, patrick.maille@imt.fr References: [1] The Shift Project (2024). Stratégie pour des réseaux numériques sobres et résilients: Rapport final. Retrieved from https://theshiftproject.org/app/uploads/2025/01/The-Shift-Project-Strategie-pour-des-reseaux-numeriques-sobres-et-resilients-Rapport-final-2024.pdf [2] P. Maille and B. Tuffin. Telecommunication Network Economics: From Theory to Applications. Cambridge University Press, 2014. [3] B. Tuffin. Charging the Internet without bandwidth reservation: an overview and bibliography of mathematical approaches. Journal of Information Science and Engineering, 19(5) :765–786, 2003. [4] J. Altmann, P . Maillé, B. Tuffin. Carbon Emission-Based Network Capacity Planning and Pricing. ⟨hal-05391836⟩. In the Proceedings of NETGCOOP 2026, Palermo, Italy, Oct. 2026. [5] S. Andrés Azcoitia, S. Illescas Cabiró, Z. Frías, A framework to incentivise green networks and infrastructure in the 6G mobile ecosystem, Telecommunications Policy, Volume 50, Issue 6, 2026 Assignment Collaboration : With the CUTS project, the recruited person will be in connection with Orange Labs, CNRS-LORIA and Montimage. Main activities Main activities: • Modeling and analysis of carbon emission-constrained networks • Write reports and papers Skills • The candidate should hold a PhD in Computer Science ir Applied Mathematics. A background in modeling and performance evaluation of computer networks and a knowledge of game theory is more than expected. • Good scripting and coding skills. • Good writing and communication skills. • Autonomous and team working capabilities. Benefits package • Subsidized meals • Partial reimbursement of public transport costs • Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.) • Possibility of teleworking (after 6 months of employment) and flexible organization of working hours • Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.) • Social, cultural and sports events and activities • Access to vocational training • Social security coverage Remuneration Monthly gross salary amounting to 2788 euros Apply for this position Share • Facebook • Linkedin • Twitter • Email General Information • Theme/Domain : Networks and Telecommunications System & Networks (BAP E) • Town/city : Rennes • Inria Center : Centre Inria de l'Université de Rennes • Starting date : 2027-05-01 • Duration of contract : 2 years • Deadline to apply : 2026-12-15 Warning : you must enter your e-mail address in order to save your application to Inria. Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Processing of applications sent from other channels is not guaranteed. Instruction to apply Please submit online : your resume, cover letter and letters of recommendation eventually Defence Security : This position is likely to be situated in a restricted area (ZRR), as defined in Decree No. 2011-1425 relating to the protection of national scientific and technical potential (PPST).Authorisation to enter an area is granted by the director of the unit, following a favourable Ministerial decision, as defined in the decree of 3 July 2012 relating to the PPST. An unfavourable Ministerial decision in respect of a position situated in a ZRR would result in the cancellation of the appointment. Recruitment Policy : As part of its diversity policy, all Inria positions are accessible to people with disabilities. Contacts • Inria Team : ERMINE • Recruiter : Tuffin Bruno / bruno.tuffin@inria.fr About Inria Inria, the French national institute for research in digital science and technology, supports the French government in national research and innovation strategies in the digital field, acting as Digital Programs Agency. Inria leads over 300 research and innovation projects with its 3,500 scientists, engineers, and support staff, in partnership with universities and the digital ecosystem (businesses, entrepreneurs, and public stakeholders). Together, we explore strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, cloud technologies, digital transformation in healthcare, digital twins, and digital technologies for defence. We develop practical solutions such as software, tech startups, partnerships with national companies, and cutting-edge training programmes. Our goal is to drive scientific, technological, and industrial excellence to ensure France’s digital sovereignty.