Postdoctoral position in physics/mathematics/geophysics H/F (# of pos: 3)

You will be under the Geo-resources department of the BRGM, and will have potential interactions with the Risks and Prevention department.

The main role of the Geo-resources department within the BRGM is to deepen geoscientific understanding and render it useful for the needs of society, notably through: collecting and developing new data; developing innovative methods and techniques, in particular cross-discipline approaches and numerical models; designing and understanding geological events, and their evolution over time; creation of cross-discipline summaries and assessments for use in the socio-economic world.

With this goal, the Geo-resources department develops its own algorithms and processing/interpretation methodologies in order to solve the different problems it faces in the most appropriate manner. This is particularly important and is a challenge in geophysics in order to reliably image the properties of the subsurface. Only data inversion still requires the use of external software. This software has shown to be efficient and resilient. However, it is not fully adapted to the BRGM needs and limits the possibilities of valorisation.

With the arrival of open source codes, be it 1D, 2D, 3D using deterministic or stochastic approaches, and the development internally of various algorithms, the Geo-resources department would like to develop its own inversion algorithm, by adapting the existing one, in order to make it fully operational for the specific application needs of the BRGM and for the inversion of large data sets covering wide and highly contrasted areas which often present high level of relief, such as on volcanic islands. The development of this type of algorithm would also give the Geo-resources department more R&D flexibility. The Knowledge of the uncertainty of the imaged properties and the tool modularity regarding possible acquisition geometries will also be included in considerations.

The Geo-resources department has conducted several high-resolution airborne geophysical studies. Airborne electromagnetism (EM) was utilised for the first time, as a test, in 2009 in the Central Loire Valley region, then in an operational setting by covering the islands of Mayotte, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion and numerous areas in New Caledonia. Recently the north of the Chaîne des Puys and an area around Sarlat and Perigueux were part of a high-resolution airborne geophysical study and other projects will be launched soon. Since their acquisition, the BRGM makes use of this data through regional or national level projects as well as industrial or research studies, across a variety of subjects, including hydrogeology, material or mining prospecting, as well as natural hazards.

For more information: Contact Pierre-Alexandre Reninger , email [email protected]

As such, the research position offered has the main goal of developing an inversion methodology, based on the existing one and adapted to the particularities of airborne EM surveys, for the valorisation of the different airborne EM data collected by the Geo-resources department over the last 10 years. This will comprise 3 distinct stages. Firstly, a bibliographical study will be carried out on the recent developments in data inversion and more specifically in airborne EM data inversion, in conjunction with the various open source codes available and the algorithms used internally. 2D deterministic and stochastic approaches must be analysed in particular detail. Secondly, and in association with the airborne geophysics team, work will be focused on developing a methodology from the existing one. In this phase, you must display creativity in order to select the methodology which seems to be the most suitable as regards the work that has been carried out hitherto and your own experience. Finally, the methodology will be tested on 1 or 2 sites, characterised by significant contrasts and complex geology.

Also, you will be in charge of the transmission and promotion of the results to the general public and through a top-tier scientific journal.

You have a doctorate, with strengths in scientific calculations and numerical modelling and skilled in programming (e.g. Python or Matlab). Solid experience in data inversion/modelling is also desired. A good understanding of modelling methods (e.g. Finite elements) is desirable.

This job may involve travelling in France or abroad (depending on the development of the current health situation) for the application and/or promotion of your work.

Your quality of life at the BRGM

At the BRGM in Orléans, you will receive several perks such as

- Communal dining

- Sport and cultural activities.

Recruitment process:

To apply, send us your application (CV and covering letter) before 28/01/2022.

Let it be clear that all our positions are open to people with disabilities. We will consider your application by the end of the allotted publication period.

If your application is selected, we will contact you for a recruitment interview to organise. You will discuss with the recruiting and HR departments as well as cross-departmental directors.