General information

Reference

2025-3762  

Position description

Category

F10 Geophysics - Scientific expert

Job title

phD position in airborne electromagnetics

Contract

Thesis

Contractual hours

Full-time

Contract duration

36 months

Context and contributions of the position

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.

The subsoil is an essential resource for human activity, strategic for actors with specific and sometimes divergent ambitions and interests. The pressure exerted on this environment is increasingly intense, whether for the extraction of energy resources, materials, or for the proper management of water resources, particularly in the global context of climate change. Sustainable management of the resources provided by the subsoil requires an in-depth understanding of this environment, which can be acquired directly (for example, through field investigations, drilling, mechanical or hydraulic testing in the subsoil, and sample characterization in laboratories) and/or indirectly, using non-destructive subsoil imaging methods.

Job description

BRGM has been conducting airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys for over 15 years. These surveys have been conducted in overseas France (Mayotte, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, New Caledonia, Guyana) as well as in mainland France (north of the Chaîne des Puys, Périgord). This modern geophysical data, referred to as “infrastructure” data, have applications in many fields and have proven to be of great value in addressing challenges related to understanding the subsoil in terms of nature and geometry, for water resource management, material exploration, and natural risk prevention (Vittecoq et al. 2023; Auken et al. 2017; Thiery et al. 2021; Billy et al. 2022).

Since 2010, over 150 studies (supporting public policies, research, and commercial purposes) using AEM data have been conducted at BRGM on these diverse topics. Indeed, this data provide unique imagery of subsoil resistivity contrasts, in 3 dimensions, from a semi-local scale (a few hundred meters) to a regional scale, and at depths ranging from the surface to several hundred metres.

BRGM is seeking a PhD student whose main responsibility will be to develop a methodology for reducing anthropogenic noise affecting airborne electromagnetic data.
The aim of this work is, among other things, to:
- Optimise the use of past and future surveys for water resource management, risk assessment, materials, etc.;
- Support the MRI ;
- Enable electromagnetic surveying in complex environments (highly resistive, noisy) ;
- Support the development of electromagnetism on lightweight vectors ;
- Propose a new methodology for processing ground electromagnetic data, and possibly geophysical data.
The selected candidate will also be expected to:
- Contribute innovative ideas on acquisition strategies and the design of survey campaigns ;
- Showcase the most significant results through at least one high-ranking scientific article and one international conference.

Profile

Requested start date : 01/05/2025
Education : Master's degree
Experience : Beginner

You will mobilize the following skills and qualities:

- University or engineering school education in data science, artificial intelligence (ML) or statistics;
- Innovative and proactive;
- Autonomy and scientific rigor;
- Ability to work collaboratively and interact with specialists from various fields;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills (scientific publications, conference presentations);
- Experience in physics or mathematics is a plus.

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, 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 April 23, 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