General information

Reference

2026-4050  

Position description

Category

F11 Geotechnics - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

PhD candidate in complex hydrogravitational processes

Contract

Thesis

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

36 months

Context and contributions of the position

Continental mountain environments exhibit a wide variety of geomorphological settings, ranging from glacial and volcanic massifs to piedmont areas. These environments are subject to multiple physical interactions along slope profiles, where gravity, hydrological dynamics, and sediment transfers interact, with additional complexities related to the zero-degree isotherm: freeze-thaw cycles, snow storage, and melting. The hydromechanical processes involved (deformation, rupture, flow, transport, etc.) generate a broad range of hydrogravitational hazards: landslides, rockfalls, mudflows, debris flows, erosive runoff, and more.

Taken individually, each of these phenomena is now relatively well described and is the subject of established typologies and mapping methods. However, these processes are often coupled, interdependent, and/or occur in cascades. Their dynamics then become complex and difficult to predict.

For several decades, climate change has been increasing this complexity: extreme events are becoming more frequent and intense and/or their seasonality and location are shifting. At the same time, human pressure is increasing the vulnerability of territories and disrupting geomorphological balances.

Job description

The overall objective of this work is to propose a methodology for analyzing and representing complex hydrogravitational processes in order to better characterize multi-hazard situations in a changing climate context. This notably involves proposing new spatialized representations to operationalize multi-hazard mapping in a non-stationary context. As a proof of concept, the developed approach is applied to a representative alpine site. This research is part of the targeted COCHAIR project (PEPR IRiMa) and contributes more specifically to WP2 dedicated to multi-risk analyses.

The specific objectives and planned milestones are:

1. Identification and qualitative modeling of representative multi-hazard situations
2. Develop a holistic quantitative model of the transient multi-hazard system
3. Deepen the spatialized analysis of characteristic multi-hazard situations

For more details : https://www.pepr-risques.fr/sites/websites/www.pepr-risques.fr/files/documents/2026-04/Th%C3%A8se%20COCHAIR%202026.pdf

Profile

Solid background in geosciences
Skills in statistical analysis and databases
Knowledge of geological mapping
Field observation skills
Strong interest in natural hazards
Passion for research, curiosity, rigor, analytical and synthesis abilities
Writing skills

Working conditions

The recruitment is part of the "Risks of Ground Movements" team at BRGM within the DRIS department.
However, the working time will be shared between BRGM and the Institute of Environmental Geosciences (IGE), a public research laboratory in Earth and Environmental Sciences, overseen by CNRS/INSU, IRD, Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA), INRAE, and Grenoble-INP within the Grenoble Observatory for Sciences of the Universe. Within it, the ECRINS team focuses its activities on gravitational hazards and the mountain cryosphere.
This established dual anchoring will maximize synergies between the two entities BRGM and IGE involved. An agreement will ensure the best conditions for hosting in Grenoble (access to resources, premises, administrative restaurant, etc.).

Position location

Job location

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

Location