General information

Reference

2026-4069  

Position description

Category

F07 Process Engineering - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

PhD position on environmental criticality of raw materials

Contract

Thesis

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

3 years

Context and contributions of the position

BRGM is the French Geological Survey, the leading public institution for Earth Science applications for the management of surface and subsurface resources with a view to sustainable development. BRGM is actively involved as a coordinator and as a partner in several EU and French projects supporting technologies for resources efficiency, mineral intelligence, circular economy policies and environmental impacts mitigation.

This PhD intends to develop an advanced framework and model to anticipate the environmental criticality of raw materials, with specific focus on their extraction. This PhD will provide a thorough assessment of the environmental pressures induced by the mineral raw materials sector and of the environmental risks to which it is faced, especially in view of the potential future exploitation of critical raw materials in the EU. The outcomes will further contribute to the debate on the sustainable use of the subsurface potential in France and in the EU.
This PhD position is funded under the frame of the LCA-SUB project (funded by France 2030).

Job description

PhD title: Advancing the assessment of environmental criticality: supply risk induced by environmental pressures from current and potential future exploitation of the EU subsurface

It will run through three Tasks:

- “Task 1: Environmental pressures and impacts induced by raw materials”, consisting in a thorough review of existing spatially-explicit data on environmental pressures induced by raw materials production, from mine to metal;

- “Task 2: Environmental implications on criticality: cause-and-effect mechanisms”, which will conceptualize the cause-and-effect mechanisms of environmental implications on criticality, namely on supply risk;

- “Task 3: Prospective environmental pressures, impacts and risks, associated with potential future raw materials extraction in the EU”, which will undertake a prospective perspective to the environmental pressures, impacts and risks, associated with potential future critical raw materials extraction in the EU, with specific focus on mining activities.

The position is based in Orléans, France. Being a BRGM employee, the PhD candidate will also be co-supervised by Prof. Guido Sonnemann (PhD Director; University of Bordeaux, France) and Prof. Gian-Andrea Blengini (University of Torino, Italy). Therefore, this position will involve some travels to Bordeaux and Torino.
Opportunities for a research stay (up to several months) in Torino will be assessed along the project.

Profile

Desired start date: September 1, 2026
Contract type: Doctoral Contract (PhD)

Candidates must hold a MSc or similar diploma (e.g. Engineering School), in Environmental Engineering, Industrial Ecology, or Mining Engineering, with demonstrated link/application to the mineral raw materials sector.

The candidates should demonstrate some of the following skills:
- coding in Python
- Life Cycle Thinking (LCA, MFA), or spatially-explicit environmental footprinting (incl. GIS)
- Knowledge in the mineral raw materials sector and criticality assessment methods
- Knowledge/use of LCA software (e.g. SimaPro, Brightway) and LCI databases (e.g. ecoinvent)

The following competencies are required:
- English (written, spoken, read) – French is an asset
- Autonomous in day-to-day work
- Integration in an interdisciplinary team
- Communication + Scientific dissemination

Working conditions

In an environment that supports work-life balance, notably through telecommuting, BRGM stands out for its atmosphere of kindness and friendliness.

Certified HRS4R in 2021, our goal is to support you throughout your professional life at BRGM. We provide numerous programs to help you develop your skills and expertise, with opportunities for career advancement and geographic mobility.

At BRGM, you will enjoy several benefits such as RTT days, a company restaurant, sports facilities, vacation and leisure services, and more…

BRGM guarantees you a transparent recruitment process. To apply, send us your application (updated CV and cover letter) by July 29, 2026.

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

We will review your application within 2 weeks of receipt. If your application is selected, we will contact you for recruitment interviews during which you will meet with the hiring management.

Position location

Job location

France, Centre-Val de Loire, Loiret (45)

Location