Post-doctoral position in analog modeling M/F

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prominent research institution in France is seeking a post-doctoral researcher to engage in a project focusing on the relationship between fault geometry and earthquake rupture. This full-time position involves conducting experimental work on earthquake cycles, analyzing data, and publishing results. Successful candidates should have experience in analog modeling, programming skills, and a good command of English. The role offers a collaborative work environment at a leading geosciences institute, contributing to significant scientific advancements.

Qualifications

• Experience in analogue and numerical modeling contexts.
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages.
• Strong English communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Run experiments and analyze results for the ERC project.
• Publish findings in scientific journals and present at international meetings.
• Adjust and operate earthquake simulation experiments.

Connaissances

Experience in analogue modeling

Experience in numerical modeling

Know-how in Python and/or other programming languages

Written and spoken English (level B1 - C2)

Rigorous

Dedicated

Curious

Formation

Ph.D. in Geosciences or related field

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department UMR-Institut de physique du globe de Paris Research Field Geosciences Astronomy Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country France Application Deadline 5 Jan 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The post-doctoral position is opened in the framework of the Be_Fact ERC project led by Y. Klinger. The target of this project is to elucidate the relation between fault geometry and earthquake rupture for large continental earthquakes: How does the geometry of a fault system evolve through successive earthquake cycles and in parallel, how such fault geometry controls the start and stop of an earthquake rupture ?

The project for the post-doctoral position is to set up analog strike-slip experiments using a stick-slip material to produce earthquake cycles. The experimental set-up is already partly working and, at this stage, only adjustments will be necessary. The experiments will be located in the experimental platform of GEC, at CY University, located about 45 mn from the main building of IPGP. Once the experiment will be working and will generate earthquake cycles, the objective of this project is to image the evolution of the fault geometry in 3D during successive earthquake cycles, by using a CT scanner. Thus, one should be able to determine what are the geometrical criteria that control beginning and arrest of ruptures. The imaging part of the project, using a CT scanner will likely involve visits in partner lab. in Europe.

The post-doctoral fellow will be in charge of running the experiments and analyzing the results. Eventually, the post-doctoral fellow is expected to publish results in international scientific journals and to present in international meetings.

A world-renowned geosciences organisation, the IPGP is associated with the CNRS and an integrated institute of the Université Paris Cité. Bringing together more than 500 people, the IPGP studies the Earth and the planets from the core to the most superficial fluid envelopes, through observation, experimentation and modelling.
The research aeras are structured through 4 main unifying themes: Interiors of the Earth and Planets, Natural Hazards, Earth System and Origins.
The IPGP is in charge of labelled observation services in volcanology, seismology, magnetism, gravimetry and erosion. And the IPGP's permanent observatories monitor the four active French overseas volcanoes in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and Mayotte.
The IPGP hosts powerful computing resources and state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities and benefits from first-class technical support. The IPGP provides its students with geosciences training that combine observation, quantitative analysis and modelling, and that reflects the quality, richness and thematic diversity of the research conducted by the IPGP teams.

The position will be in the group of Tectonics and Mechanics of the Lithosphere at IPGP, in close association with the GEC lab. in CY University (in Paris's region as well). The tectonics team in IPGP include 11 faculties, 3 staffs (scientific and administration) and about 15 students (PhD and post-doctoral fellows). This group is focused on the deformation of the Lithosphere at all scales of space and time, from long term to instantaneous deformation. Approaches used by the team include paleoseismology, structural geology, sedimentology, remote-sensing and geodesy, numerical and analog modeling.

• Experience in analogue modeling and also, possibly, in numerical modeling.
• Know-how in python and/or other scripting/programming language.
• Written and spoken English (level B1 - C2)
• Rigorous, dedicated, curious.