General information

Reference

2025-2676  

Position description

Category

F05 Economy - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

Post-doctoral researcher in ‘Science and technology studies' working on the uses of the subsoil

Contract

Post-doctoral contrat

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

24 months

Context and contributions of the position

The newly-created Energy and Decarbonation Division aims at accelerating the development of these sectors and carries out scientific activities designed to promote the development of the production and use of decarbonated energy while helping to increase energy autonomy (geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, hydrogen as an energy carrier or resource, etc.).

Within the Divion, the Energy Systems and New Uses (SEN) unit is responsible for
- Carrying out multi-criteria analyses on the integration of underground resources into the energy transition, and integrating a socio-economic approach to provide analysis to stakeholders;
- The development of integrated systemic modelling (e.g. hybridisation of shallow geothermal energy and solar thermal energy, waste heat and heat storage) and complementary uses of the subsoil (e.g. lithium and geothermal energy, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and geothermal energy);
- The development of new exploration and exploitation methods using coupled phenomenological modelling, experiments and demonstrators;
- Generally speaking, the development of technological innovations (and optimisation of existing technologies), with the support of BRGM's laboratories and platforms.

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 environmental changes through innovative projects with societal implications.

In an interdisciplinary approach, focusing on ‘science and technology studies” and on the relationship between science and society, your main responsibilities will be as follows:

- Developing research activities on the socio-technical dimensions of potential uses of the subsoil in the socio-ecological transition. This work is mainly part of BRGM's current projects/programmes (PEPR sous-sol https://www.soussol-bien-commun.fr/fr, and the ADEME/BRGM agreement on institutional support to the development of geothermal energy);
-As part of the PEPR subsoil programme, you will be studying the role given or not to subsoil in the projections of local authorities (Anticip project), and studying the politicisation of the subsoil in the context of climate change (VERTIQUAL project);
-As part of the ADEME/BRGM agreement, you will study the economic, legal, social and technical feasibility of developing collective geothermal installations in housing districts;
-Participating in the development of the team's activities by contributing to the drafting of responses to calls for tenders for research and studies or ongoing projects (energy storage, native hydrogen, CO2 storage, etc.) involving STS skills;
-Promoting the results obtained through reports, scientific publications and presentations at conferences (in French and English);
-Building up a network capable of providing scientific support for BRGM's activities;
- Meeting the need for training and awareness-raising on science in society and interdisciplinarity.

Profile

Requested start date : 01/03/2025
Contract type : Post-Doctorant
Duration : 24 months
Education : Doctorate
Experience : 1 - 5 years

You will demonstrate the following skills and abilities:
- Holder of a PhD in social sciences and humanities (sociology, political science, geography, anthropology of science, etc.), focusing on science and technology studies, if possible, with research related to geosciences and the subsoil. A degree in geosciences would be an advantage (dual skills);
-Proven experience of interdisciplinary work, ability and interest in working with scientists, institutions, associations, local authorities and industry;
-Experience of participating in research projects, networking and teamwork;
-Fluency in French and English (read, spoken and written);
-Curiosity and motivation to work on complex scientific issues from a multidisciplinary perspective (social and human sciences, earth sciences, energy), in collaboration with scientists from a variety of backgrounds and industry;
-Writing and interpersonal skills, oral fluency and adaptability.

Working conditions

As a member of the geoscientific teams, you will be working daily in an interdisciplinary environment.

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.

At BRGM, you are guaranteed a transparent recruitment process. To apply, please send us your application (up-to-date CV and cover letter) by January 30, 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.

Position location

Job location

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

Location