Researcher in geophysics (M/F) in Brest at IFREMER - ENGLISH

Job Description

Job title : Researcher in geophysics (M/F)

Reference:  PV-2022-083

Department/Office :  Département des Ressources Physiques et Ecosystemes de fond de Mer

UMR GEO-OCEAN

ALéas MArins

Duty station:  Brest, Bretagne, FR , France

Starting date on the job :

Deadline for applications : 19/03/2023

The Institute and the recruiting departement

A pioneer in ocean science, IFREMER’s cutting-edge research is grounded in sustainable development and open science. Our vision is to advance science, expertise and innovation to:

• Protect and restore the ocean
• Sustainably use marine resources to benefit society
• Create and share ocean data, information & knowledge.

With more than 1,500 personnel spread along the French coastline in more than 20 sites, the Institute explores the 3 great oceans: the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A leader in ocean science, IFREMER is managing the French Oceanographic Fleet and its dedicated scientists create ground-breaking technology to push the boundaries of ocean exploration and knowledge, from the abyss to the atmosphere-ocean interface.

Well-established in the international scientific community, our scientists, engineers and technicians are committed to advance knowledge about our planet’s last unexplored frontiers. They provide the science we need for informed decision-making and public policy and they transfer this knowledge and technology to businesses to fulfill public and private needs. Core to our mission is also to strengthen public awareness about the importance of understanding the ocean and its resources, and empowering future generations of leaders through education and outreach national campaigns.

Founded in 1984, IFREMER is a French public organization and its budget approximates 240 million euros. It is operating under the joint authority of the French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the french Ministry of the Sea, the French Ministry for the Ecological and Solidary Transition, and the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

General areas of responsibility

The UMR 6538 Geo-Ocean is a new Joint Research Unit, with three main supervisory bodies: CNRS (with a main attachment to INSU), the University of Brest (UBO) and Ifremer, and with a secondary supervisory body: the University of Southern Brittany (UBS).

Geo-Ocean's scientific and technical skills are broken down into research topics with a strong emphasis in national and international collaboration, particularly in Europe and with industry. The Research Unit is largely involved in projects in support of French public policies, particularly in the context of mineral resources. The major scientific and societal challenges being addressed by Geo-Ocean are

• To observe, understand and model our coastal systems in order to better manage and protect them in the face of climate change and cumulative anthropogenic impacts
• To push the boundaries of observation and understanding of active processes (tectonic, volcanic, sedimentary, and chemical) in the marine environment
• To define and understand the heterogeneities, dynamics, and interactions within the Earth and their impact on the geodynamics and vertical motions of the ocean domains
• To identify the relationships between living organisms and their geological environment at all temporal and spatial scales
• To guide society's access to marine resources in a sustainable and responsible manner

Geo-Ocean, with its expertise in marine geoscience; including seismology, oceanography and the development of marine technology; is committed to the development of fibre optic sensing in marine environments. In this context, Geo-Ocean seeks to recruit a researcher to work in this emerging field within the ALMA (ALéas MArins) team with a focus on developing new applications for solid earth sciences and natural hazards.

The ALMA team is involved in a number of projects and initiatives in this field, with a strong commitment to equip itself with dedicated fibre optic instruments (e.g. DAS Interrogator). Current projects include: the use of a submarine cable to detect tectonic deformation of a fault offshore Catania (East of Sicily); the installation of a cabled observatory and the monitoring of the seismicity of a submarine volcano off Mayotte Island (Indian Ocean). Partnerships with industry include the development of industrial applications for fibre sensing, for example the use of DAS to monitor carbon sequestration. ALMA members also lead the MARMOR consortium, an initiative of the French maritime community to acquire and deploy instruments for the observation of solid Earth parameters, including interrogators for use on fibre optic cables for applications in solid Earth-Ocean interactions.

Through your research work on the use of data collected by fibre optics:

• you contribute to the excellence of the laboratory in one or more of the following areas: earthquake characterization, ocean noise, Earth imaging.
• You are a driving force in the development of innovative uses of fibre optic measurements in the marine environment in the context of earth sciences.

Main activities

• You actively contribute to the quantitative analysis of fibre-based techniques with standard instrumentation (e.g. seismic and geodetic)
• You bring skills in handling big data storage and analysis using new techniques such as artificial intelligence, parallel computing and GPU optimisation
• You participate and/or lead exploration campaigns conducted by the unit in the framework of fundamental research projects, support to public authorities and industrial collaborations.
• You demonstrate an ability to supervise students of all levels and post-docs, to write publications and to respond to calls for projects.
• You contribute to the development of a culture of innovation within the unit by taking an interest in the potential for industrial transfers, in particular via Ifremer's internal tools (e.g. Institut Carnot MERS).

• Relationship fields
• In house: You will work in a multidisciplinary team within ALMA as well as other research/technical teams within GEO-OCEAN (ANTIPOD and GIPS) and the REM department (RTD Unit) and IRSI department (Research Infrastructures and Information Systems).

• Externally: You will be required to collaborate with fellow researchers in marine sciences within the French and international community, as well as with external industrial partners following participation in collaborative projects with Geo-Ocean.

Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics

Initial training, professional experience and specific skills:

• PhD in marine geophysics, particularly seismology or a related field
• Experience in data analysis, particularly of large data sets
• Research experience demonstrating an ability to publish research
• Strong experience in signal processing
• Advanced knowledge of programming/scripting languages
• Preferentially, knowledge of / expertise in distributed fibre sensing techniques

Personal qualities (interpersonal skills):

• Dynamic, highly motivated
• Team player, interested in teamwork, especially multidisciplinary
• Desire to develop new technologies and techniques for geosciences in marine environments
• Ability to participate in field and marine campaigns

Specific working conditions

• Full time
• Possibility of embarquements
• Work site at Ifremer Centre de Bretagne (29280 Plouzané, France)

How to apply for this position

Deadline for applications: 19/03/2023

All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button.