Full-Stack AI Developer – ThinkSync project

The Inria centre at Université Côte d'Azur includes 42 research teams and 9 support services. The centre's staff (about 500 people) is made up of scientists of different nationalities, engineers, technicians and administrative staff. The teams are mainly located on the university campuses of Sophia Antipolis and Nice as well as Montpellier, in close collaboration with research and higher education laboratories and establishments (Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, INRAE, INSERM ...), but also with the regiona economic players.

With a presence in the fields of computational neuroscience and biology, data science and modeling, software engineering and certification, as well as collaborative robotics, the Inria Centre at Université Côte d'Azur  is a major player in terms of scientific excellence through its results and collaborations at both European and international levels.

Context and Mission

ThinkSync is a deep-tech project within the Inria Startup Studio programme, working at the intersection of AI, philosophy, and mental well-being. The goal is to build a powerful AI-driven companion that supports reflective thinking and personal growth using an interdisciplinary framework of philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

You will join a focused team, working directly with the founder — an engineer and PhD graduate in video understanding and affective computing at Inria. ThinkSync has a functioning prototype, and is entering a critical year of fast iteration, technical refinement, and product–market fit validation.

Opportunities and Future Scope

ThinkSync is currently funded under the Inria Startup Studio programme, with a dedicated budget and research backing. If the product shows traction by the end of the 1-year CDD, we plan to register as a company. This role is a unique opportunity to shape the foundations of that company. If collaboration goes well, you may be invited to continue as CTO and co-founder.

Mission:

Your primary mission will be to develop, iterate, and test core product features for different user segments using fast prototyping methods and user feedback. You will work hands-on from Day 1, contributing both technically and creatively to an app that combines custom AI with deep philosophical insight.

Main Responsibilities

• Develop, test, and iterate front-end and back-end codebases (web/app stack flexible based on your preferences)
  
  
• Integrate AI models (LLMs and affective-computing modules) into the product
  
  
• Adapt and refine user flows and interfaces based on real-time feedback
  
  
• Contribute to the architecture and roadmap of a custom LLM aligned with human values and beliefs
  
  
• Analyze user behavior and prototype performance to inform product decisions
  
  
• Collaborate with researchers, philosophy counsellors, and advisors as needed
  
  
• Participate in all aspects of building an early-stage product (product, tech, user testing)

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong ability to build web or mobile apps with any modern tech stack
  
  
• Familiarity with tools like Cursor (or similar fast dev environments)
  
  
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment
  
  
• No specific degree or years of experience required — proven ability through personal, academic, or professional projects is key
  
  

Preferred (Not Mandatory)

• Familiarity with PyTorch and/or LLM fine-tuning
  
  
• Experience with industrial projects involving LLMs
  
  
• Network in relevant domains (AI, wellness, philosophy) that can benefit the project

• 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 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
• Contribution to mutual insurance (subject to conditions)

From 2692 € gross monthly (according to degree and experience).