ISL – French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis

Front-line Research

ISL is a binational research institute, jointly operated by the French Agency of Defence Innovation (AID) and the German Ministry of Defence.

Five scientific challenges

  • Energetic materials and systems
  • Future gun systems and smart ammunition
  • Advanced situational awareness
  • Survivability of weapon systems
  • Protection and performance of dismounted soldiers

Our four scientific divisions

Energetic and advanced protective materials

Physics & chemistry of energetic nanomaterials, Advanced materials & mechanical testing, Propellants, energetic materials, Shock physics & detonics…

Flight techniques for projectiles

Aerodynamics & exterior ballistics, Sensors, telemetry & communication, Aerodynamics, measurements & simulations, Guidance, navigation & control…

Laser and electromagnetic technologies

Laser technologies, Power semiconductor devices & pulsed power technologies, Electromagnetic acceleration…

Protection technologies, security, situational awareness

Advanced visionics and processing, Acoustics & soldier protection, Protection against explosives & ballistic threats, Radiation interactions with matter, ELSI: information processing by integrated sensors…

Our latest news

Events

Meet us at Eurosatory 2026

𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 : 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗴𝘂𝗻 · 𝗔𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗵𝘀 𝗜𝗜 · 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 🇫🇷🇩🇪 Next week, ISL will

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Join us!

Would you like to put your skills and professional experience to use in an international scientific environment?

Have you just graduated or are you looking for a thesis, internship or apprenticeship?

Join the French-German Research Institute of Saint-Louis (ISL) and benefit from a binational environment that is unique in the world!

Whether for a scientific, administrative, technical or engineering career: ISL offers you positions with varied and exciting tasks, an attractive working environment and cutting-edge research resources.

ISL publications

Annual Reports & scientific documents

  • documents written within the framework of contracts or agreements

  • publications (conferences, scientific journals, posters)

  • technical reports and papers

A joint initiative

Need to contact ISL?