Innovative Hubs Serving Major Transitions
The research units of Mines Saint-Étienne embody the School’s scientific excellence and innovation capacity. These units, integrated into the Training and Research Centers, conduct projects with significant scientific and industrial impact. They collaborate with national and international partners to address challenges related to ecological, digital, industrial, and societal transitions.
| Research and Academic Centres | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | SPIN | FAYOL | CIS | CMP |
| Joint Research Unit (UMR) 5307 – LGF Mechanics, Materials, Processes | ||||
| Joint Research Unit (UMR) 5600 – EVS Geo-processes and resource management Territorial information systems Environmental impact assessment | ||||
| Joint Research Unit (UMR) 6158 – LIMOS Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Data and AI | ||||
| Research Unit COACTIS Management Sciences and Corporate Social Responsibility | ||||
| U 1059 – SAINBIOSE Bio-ingénierie | ||||
| SAS – Joint Team Cybersecurity Microelectronics | ||||
| MOC UPR MSE Bioelectronics, NeuroTech, Flexible Electronics | ||||
Georges Friedel Laboratory (LGF) – UMR 5307
The Georges Friedel Laboratory (LGF), a Joint Research Unit of the CNRS (UMR 5307) located at Mines Saint-Étienne, stands out for its expertise in materials, mechanics, and processes. It plays a central role in academic research and industrial partnerships, aiming to address the challenges of sustainability and energy efficiency in components and manufacturing systems.
Environment, City, Society (EVS) – UMR 5600
The Joint Research Unit (UMR 5600) Environment, City, Society (EVS) is an interdisciplinary laboratory that analyzes the dynamics of change between the environment, the city, and society. It brings together researchers from various disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, primarily geography, urban planning, anthropology, law, engineering sciences, and architecture.
Laboratory for Computer Science, Modeling and Systems Optimization (LIMOS) – UMR 6158
The Laboratory of Computer Science, Modeling and Optimization of Systems (LIMOS), Joint Research Unit (UMR 6158), is affiliated with the CNRS Institute of Information Sciences and their Interactions (INS2I). At Mines Saint-Étienne, LIMOS members are distributed between the “Environmental and Organizational Engineering” department within the Henri Fayol Institute, and the “Process for Environment and Geo-Ressources (PEG)” department within the SPIN center.
LIMOS focuses its research on topics such as combinatorial and continuous optimization, operations research, modeling, simulation, and data mining. Through an interdisciplinary approach, it contributes to solving complex problems in organizational, industrial, and environmental fields.
Action Design in Context (COACTIS) – UR EA 4161
The COACTIS Laboratory (Action Design in Context) is a management sciences research unit (EA 4161) that brings together teacher-researchers from Lyon 2 University, Jean Monnet University in Saint-Étienne, and Mines Saint-Étienne. Since 2013, members of the Responsible Management and Innovation (MRI) department at the Henri Fayol Institute have been part of the lab, strengthening its expertise in management and entrepreneurship.
COACTIS is structured around four main research areas:
– Organizational development strategies
– Behavioral finance and governance
– Sustainable innovation
– Consumer cultures
The laboratory conducts applied research on a wide range of topics, including SME growth, social and solidarity-based organizations, and transition management. It is also involved in collaborative projects, such as Plan PME and Aura PMI, supporting businesses and organizations as they evolve.
Health, Engineering, Biology Saint-Étienne (SAINBIOSE) – Joint Research Unit INSERM U1059
The SAINBIOSE Laboratory (INSERM Joint Research Unit U1059) brings together Mines Saint-Étienne, Jean Monnet University, the Saint-Étienne University Hospital (CHU), and INSERM.
This multidisciplinary laboratory unites physicians, engineers, and biologists with the goal of improving patient care, particularly in the prevention of chronic diseases and aging-related conditions.
Structured around two research teams, SAINBIOSE focuses on:
– Osteoarticular fragility (e.g., osteoporosis, osteoarthritis)
– Vascular dysfunction and hemostasis (e.g., aneurysms, blood coagulation disorders)
Through its interdisciplinary approach and close collaboration with hospitals and industry partners, the lab drives scientific progress with a direct impact on human health.
Secure Systems and Architectures (SAS) – ERC MSE, CEA Tech, Southern Region
The Secure Systems and Architectures (SAS) department is a joint research team between CEA Tech – Southern Region (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) and Mines Saint-Étienne.
Based on the Aix-Marseille Provence campus, within the Microelectronics Center of Provence, SAS is dedicated to securing electronic components and the sensitive data they contain—such as cryptographic keys, software, intellectual property blocks, and stored data—against fraudulent manipulations commonly referred to as “attacks.”
The team conducts detailed modeling of the physical phenomena behind these attacks, using cutting-edge experimental equipment such as laser fault injection benches and electromagnetic pulse systems.
These models are then used to design integrated protections directly within hardware or software design flows, following a “secure by design” approach.