Post-doctoral position on erosion impact prediction

BRGM; France; Hybride; EUR 42 000 - 56 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

13-month-based compensation

JRTT (time off in lieu)

on-site restaurant

sports facilities

vacation and leisure benefits

Résumé du poste

BRGM in France is seeking a PhD-level researcher to develop and operate a satellite-image processing chain for coastal beach morphology monitoring. You will analyze storm impacts, update coastal indicators, and calibrate models using field data, working within a multidisciplinary BRGM team at the PESSAC site and with the University of Bordeaux. The role emphasizes autonomous work, collaboration, and strong scientific output.

Qualifications

• Experience in satellite image processing and management of multi-source Earth observation databases.
• Knowledge of coastal geomorphology, particularly dune dynamics.
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team.
• Strong scientific communication, including reports and papers.

Responsabilités

• Process and exploit optical satellite imagery to monitor beach morphology and its evolution across time scales.
• Set up a satellite image processing chain to inventory data and calibrate coastal indicators.
• Analyze shoreline time series and calibrate equilibrium beach models against field data.

Connaissances

Satellite image processing

EO data management

Coastal geomorphology

Python

Matlab

Formation

PhD in geosciences/oceanography/environmental modelling

Outils

Python

Matlab

Description du poste

Organisation/Company BRGM Research Field Geosciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 15 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 4 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The BRGM Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional directorate's main purpose is to provide support to State services, operators and local authorities, as well as to carry out expertise or research actions in all fields of the Earth sciences, including for companies.

You will be mainly responsible for exploiting the available optical satellite imagery (e.g. the Coastsat tool) to monitor descriptors of the morphological state of beaches and their evolution at event, seasonal and multi-annual time scales. A first task will be to set up a satellite image processing chain in order to produce an inventory of the satellite data available at intra-seasonal (winter) scales. On this basis, an analysis will be carried out of the potential for updating morphological indicators describing the state of the beaches and their ongoing degradation during the winter. This work will involve (i) detecting, recording and archiving storm impacts occurring during the winter (dune toe erosion); (ii) updating indicators of coastal morphology (position/shape of nearshore bars, beach width, beach slope, etc.) that can be used in the computation of storm impact forecasts. A second task will be to establish time series of shoreline positions (waterline and/or wet/dry line) in order to consider the calibration of equilibrium beach models (Splinter et al., 2014), making it possible to continuously infer, based on offshore wave conditions, the evolution of the beaches' topographic isocontours. This calibration will be performed continuously along the coast, and its performance will be compared with the available field data (BD OCNA, BD ESTOC, Dynalitt monitoring at Truc Vert and Biscarrosse, etc.).

Holding a PhD in geosciences, oceanography or environmental modelling, you will demonstrate the following qualities and skills:

• Experience in satellite image processing, management of multi-source Earth observation databases, and numerical modelling in the field of coastal geomorphology - Good programming skills (Python, Matlab).
• Knowledge of coastal geomorphology, particularly dune dynamics.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Strong scientific communication skills, including the writing of reports and scientific papers.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, multidisciplinary research team working on the VIGICOAST project. They will benefit from a stimulating working environment, cutting-edge resources and unique datasets to carry out the research activities. The position will be based at BRGM in PESSAC, and the candidate will be affiliated with BRGM (the contracting entity). A close partnership with the EPOC laboratory at the University of Bordeaux will allow regular exchanges.

Start date: 04/01/2027 Duration: 12 months

In an environment conducive to work-life balance, notably through remote work, BRGM stands out for its climate of benevolence and conviviality.

Certified HRS4R in 2021, we wish to support you throughout your professional career at BRGM. We provide numerous resources to develop your skills and expertise, with opportunities for advancement and geographic mobility.

At BRGM, you will benefit from several advantages such as

• 13-month-based compensation
• JRTT (time off in lieu)
• an on-site restaurant
• sports facilities
• vacation and leisure benefits...

BRGM guarantees a transparent recruitment procedure.

Please note that all our positions are open to everyone — at BRGM, we are committed to diversity!

We will review your application file as soon as the posting period ends. If your application is shortlisted, we will contact you for recruitment interviews, during which you will meet with the hiring management, the HR department, and a cross-functional department.