General information

Reference

2025-3838  

Position description

Category

F13 Hydrogeology - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

Postdoctoral researcher in hydrogeology

Contract

Post-doctoral contrat

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

12 months

Context and contributions of the position

BRGM is recruiting for its Regional Action Department (DAT), based in Pessac, a postdoctoral researcher to join the IMPACTS research project, in partnership with INRAE. The project focuses on the quantification and simulation of the expected effects of land use changes in typical landscapes of the Atlantic western seaboard on microclimate, carbon balance, water regime, and soil fertility.

The project includes three components: an observation-based study, a fine-scale modelling approach, and long-term projections.

https://consortium-biocontrole.hub.inrae.fr/projets-cofinances/impact

The objective of the project is to quantify, understand, and project into the future the environmental impacts of forests, vineyards, and large energy or water infrastructure. The aim is to understand how these land uses affect local climate, water and carbon cycles, groundwater recharge, and soils, as well as their mutual interactions.
The project will be applied to the model landscape of the Landes de Gascogne forest and surrounding vineyards, with results expected to have broader applicability.

Job 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 to: meeting the challenges of environment

The objective of the postdoctoral project is to quantify the impact of land use changes on the piezometric level of groundwater, for example as induced by the operation of an energy or hydraulic infrastructure (typically, the conversion of a pine forest into a photovoltaic park).
The first phase will consist of developing a GARDENIA model (rainfall – groundwater level – river discharge) for a representative catchment area combining upstream forest and downstream vineyards (Thiéry, 2006), in order to reproduce the behaviour of a typical watershed and assess the impact of land use changes on :
i) infiltration, and
ii) streamflow discharge.
A spatialized modelling approach using MARTHE software, based on existing models (Saltel et al., 2021), will be developed in parallel. These simulations will be used to test hypothetical land use scenarios covering variable surface areas to determine the critical surface threshold beyond which the environmental impact becomes significant (e.g., increased flood risk).
Changes in land use and their effects on groundwater recharge and surface runoff are of major interest for sustainable water resource management (Owuor et al., 2016). Replacing natural vegetation with other types of land use (croplands, infrastructures) most often leads to a reduction in evapotranspiration, resulting in increased recharge and higher stream discharge (Scanlon et al., 2005). Understanding these effects is essential for effective land use planning in the context of climate change.

Profile

Requested start date: September 2025
Contract type: Post-Doctorant
Education: Doctorat
Experience: Beginner

You will bring the following skills and qualities:

- Expertise in hydrology and hydrogeology
- Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, good interpersonal skills
- Strong organizational skills, sense of initiative, and autonomy
- Experience in distributed (e.g., Modflow, Marthe) and lumped (e.g., GR4J, Gardenia) hydrological modelling is desirable
- A valid driver's license (category B) is appreciated.

Working conditions

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, meal vouchers, as well as holiday and leisure options.

At BRGM, you are guaranteed a transparent recruitment process. To apply, please send us your application (up-to-date CV and cover letter), the applications will be reviewed as they are received.

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.

Position location

Job location

France, New Aquitaine, Gironde (33)

Location