Postdoc in ground motion data analysis and broad-band synthetic seismograms

BRGM; France; À distance; EUR 40 000 - 55 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading geological institution is seeking a Geology Researcher to enhance geological knowledge through seismic analysis. The ideal candidate will hold a Ph.D. and possess solid research skills related to seismology. Responsibilities include database enrichment from recent earthquake data and contributing to a scientific project. A fluent English speaker, knowledge of French is advantageous. This role offers a supportive work environment with flexible working options.

Prestations

13th month salary

Days off compensating for unpaid overtime

Company canteen

Sports facilities

Holiday and leisure options

Qualifications

• Ph.D. work and publications with international outreach.
• Strong background in seismology and engineering seismology.

Responsabilités

• Enrich the database of surface waves from recent earthquakes.
• Perform seismological analysis and numerical simulations.
• Construct database from observations and synthetics.

Connaissances

Solid research skills in seismology

Experience of strong ground motion analysis

Efficient teamwork and good communication skills

Fluency in English

Knowledge of French

Formation

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Description du poste

Organisation/Company BRGM Research Field Geosciences » Geology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 31 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 2025-3852 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Joining the French Geological Survey (BRGM) means becoming part of France’s leading public institution for Earth Science applications bringing together 1,000 wholeheartedly committed experts across 29 bases in Mainland and Overseas France. BRGM focuses on enhancing geological knowledge and understanding of surface and sub-surface-related phenomena, with a view tomeeting the challenges of environmental changes through innovative projects with societal implications.

Context and contibutions of the position

The Energy and Decarbonization Division (DED) conducts scientific activities aimed at promoting the sustainable and safe development of low-carbon subsurface energy production and use, while helping to increase energy autonomy. The division focuses in particular on geothermal energy and heat storage, carbon capture and storage (CCS), natural hydrogen, underground storage of energy carriers, and radioactive waste disposal.

The unit's main areas of focus include:
(i) Assessing the integrity of natural and engineered barriers (through modeling, experimentation, and monitoring),
(ii) Determining the impacts of subsurface exploitation and usage (e.g., induced seismicity, pollutant migration, CO₂ and associated impurity leakage),
(iii) Evaluating interferences and potential conflicts between subsurface uses,
(iv) Monitoring underground infrastructure (sensors, passive seismic methods, etc.) and surface impacts (e.g., satellite interferometry),
(v) Predictive modeling of coupled processes (e.g., reactive transport, water-rock interactions),
(vi) Uncertainty analysis (Monte Carlo simulations, surrogate modeling),
(vii) Risk analysis.

The position contributes to the ANR project IM-SURF (Impact and Mitigation of SURFace Seismic Waves on Large-Scale 3D Structures, 2024-2028), focusing on the seismic data collection and synthetic seismograms for the engineering study from the recent earthquakes (e.g. 2023 Turkey, 2024 Noto-Japan earthquakes).

Your main responsibilities will include:

- Enrich the database of surface waves from the recent earthquakes as well as to provide broad-band synthetic seismograms. The broad-band seismograms are usually generated by a combination of a deterministic low frequency part and a stochastic high frequency component. We target principally two recent earthquakes; 2023 Turkish sequences and 2024 Noto, Japan, earthquake, for which ground motion data are abundantly available.
- Contribute to the project from the seismological analysis and numerical simulations for providing input ground motions for the other tasks brought by GDS (Géodynamique & Structure), CentraleSupélec and ENSTA.
- Construction of database from the observation and synthetics, processing the time-series data for the partners and the redaction of a scientific paper.

The role will require the following skills and qualities:

• Solid research skills in seismology and engineering seismology through Ph.D. work and publications with international outreach.
• Experience of strong ground motion analysis.
• Efficient teamwork and good communication skills.
• Fluent in English (spoken and written), and knowledge of French will be an advantage.

Languages ENGLISH

Languages FRENCH Level Good

Research Field Geosciences » Geology Years of Research Experience None

Additional Information

Within an environment that promotes a healthy work/life balance, particularly thanks to remote working, BRGM prides itself on providing a friendly and caring place to work.

Awarded HRS4R certification in 2021, we are committed to supporting you throughout your career at BRGM. We provide you with a range of tools for developing your skills and expertise, with scope for career progression and geographic mobility.

At BRGM, you will gain from such benefits as a 13th month salary, days off compensating for unpaid overtime, a company canteen, sports facilities as well as holiday and leisure options.

Selection process

At BRGM, you are guaranteed a transparent recruitment process. To apply, please send us your application (up-to-date CV and cover letter) by August 31th 2025.

Because diversity matters to us at BRGM, all of our job vacancies are open to everyone!

We will examine your application as soon as the closing date has passed. If your application is short-listed, we will contact you for recruitment interviews during which you will have the opportunity to talk with the recruitment and HR departments as well as a cross-functional department.