General information

Reference

2026-4064  

Position description

Category

F07 Process Engineering - Engineer / Researcher

Job title

Post doctoral environmental footprint of CRMs

Contract

Post-doctoral contrat

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

24 months

Context and contributions of the position

This post-doc position is funded under the frame of the LCA-SUB project, funded by France 2030 (PEPR Sous-sol, bien commun). The postdoctoral researcher will provide an environmental assessment of the perspectives offered by the potential future exploitation of the French subsurface including mining.
In response to the challenges of the ecological transition and the anticipated increase in demand for raw materials, the project aims to develop transparent and robust data and methodologies to assess the actual environmental sustainability of these large-scale changes.
In the last 20 years, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been ever more widely implemented to assess the potential environmental impacts of the use of subsurface in a cradle-to-gate perspective.
Several recent spatially-explicit studies quantified the share of mining activities in areas which face high levels of environmental constraints (water stress, land use). The project seeks to improve both the methods and the data implemented in Life Cycle Thinking, for a consistent, complete and representative environmental assessment of the uses of the subsurface.

Job description

You will contribute significantly to expanding the current knowledge on the environmental footprint of Critical Raw Materials extraction and processing, through improving the data used in Life Cycle Thinking, building on land and water spatially-explicit footprints as generated in the LCA-SUB project as well as in the scientific literature. The candidate will disseminate results of the activities to its team at BRGM, to the LCA-SUB project consortium, and to the scientific community through the writing of scientific articles and participation to conferences. This post-doc position will support delivering an analysis of the potential impact transfers that such exploitation of the French subsurface would imply, in a multidimensional approach; considering potential transfers of impacts respectively between various categories of environmental impacts, over time and between regions of the world.

The main missions are :
• Development of LCI datasets of selected metals with improved land use accounting;
• Improved accounting of land and water use in Input-Output analysis, through improved (more complete, more granular) environmental extensions of Supply Use Tables;
• Exploring, and finetuning, State-of-the-Art prospective LCA framework applied to the production of Critical Raw Materials in France and the EU;
• Applying LCA and Input-Output Analysis to explore the environmental impacts of the perspectives offered by the potential future exploitation of the French and EU subsurface.

Profile

The successful candidate holds a PhD, in Industrial Ecology, Process Engineering or Mining Engineering, with demonstrated link/application to the mineral raw materials sector and should demonstrate the following skills:
• Coding in Python;
• Life Cycle Thinking (LCA, IOA), or spatially-explicit environmental footprinting, applied to mineral raw materials;
• Knowledge/use of LCA software (e.g. Brightway) and LCI databases (e.g. ecoinvent);
• Knowledge in the mineral raw materials sector;
• Knowledge in Geographic Information System (GIS);
• Knowledge in data analysis, including statistical treatment of massive and heterogeneous data;
• Proficiency in English (written, spoken, read)
• French is an asset
• Autonomous in day-to-day work
• Integration into an interdisciplinary team
• Communication + Scientific dissemination

Working conditions

This full-time position might involve some travels, mainly within France.

In a work environment that supports a healthy work-life balance, notably through remote working options, BRGM stands out for its culture of kindness.
Certified with the HRS4R label in 2021, our aim is to support you throughout your professional journey at BRGM. We offer a wide range of programs to help you develop your skills and expertise.
At BRGM, you will benefit from several advantages, including a 13-month salary structure, additional leave days (JRTT), an on-site restaurant, sports facilities,…

At BRGM, you are guaranteed a transparent recruitment process. To apply, please send us your application (updated CV and cover letter) by july 12, 2026.

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

Candidate criteria

Languages

English (Fluent)