Post-doctoral fellow in geological fluid mechanics

The institut de physique du globe de Paris

A world-renowned geosciences organisation, the IPGP is associated with the CNRS and an integrated institute of the Université Paris Cité. Bringing together more than 500 people, the IPGP studies the Earth and the planets from the core to the most superficial fluid envelopes, through observation, experimentation and modelling.

The research aeras are structured through 4 main unifying themes: Interiors of the Earth and Planets, Natural Hazards, Earth System and Origins.

The IPGP is in charge of labelled observation services in volcanology, seismology, magnetism, gravimetry and erosion. And the IPGP’s permanent observatories monitor the four active French overseas volcanoes in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and Mayotte.

The IPGP hosts powerful computing resources and state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities and benefits from first-class technical support. The IPGP provides its students with geosciences training that combine observation, quantitative analysis and modelling, and that reflects the quality, richness and thematic diversity of the research conducted by the IPGP teams.

Team Department

The Geological Fluid Dynamics group develops and applies the tools of Fluid Mechanics to our Earth and the Solar System Planets. We proceed by physical analogy in order to model and interpret the available field, observatory and remote sensing data. Doing so it is possible to access and extract the hidden geophysical information within this data, to reconstruct geodynamical evolution scenarios, and to predict the future evolution of natural systems, in connection with societal applications. The objects studied within the team range from the deepest parts of planets such as mantle and core, all the way up to surface processes. The methods range from field data acquisition campaigns to lab experiments and high-performance numerical simulations.

Missions

> Presentation of the missions within the context

> For researchers: research project, European project (ERC, Marie Curie…)

This position is funded by the ANR PhysErosion project, lead by Michael Berhanu ().

Activities

Alluvial rivers build their own bed with the sediment they transport. Laboratory analogues reveal that traveling grains of sediment behave like random walkers—their diffusion across the river opposes gravity to maintain the bed [2, 3]. Theory suggests, however, that this statistical equilibrium can become unstable, thus giving rise to longitudinal patterns [4]. This phenomenon has not been observed yet in an experiment.

The postdoctoral scholar will investigate the stability of bedload transport, in theory and in laboratory experiments. The primary advisors are Olivier Devauchelle (Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris) and Michael Berhanu (Matière et Systèmes Complexes), in close collaboration with Eric Lajeunesse and François Métivier (IPGP).

References [1] A. Abramian, O. Devauchelle, and E. Lajeunesse. Laboratory rivers adjust their shape to sediment transport. Physical Review E, 102(5), 2020. [2] A. Abramian, O. Devauchelle, G. Seizilles, and E. Lajeunesse. Boltzmann distribution of sediment transport. Physical Review Letters, 123(1), 2019. [3] P. Popović, O. Devauchelle, A. Abramian, and E. Lajeunesse. Sediment load determines the shape of rivers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118(49), 2021. [4] A. Abramian, O. Devauchelle, and E. Lajeunesse. Streamwise streaks induced by bedload diffusion. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 863, 2019.

The main activity is scientific research. Secondary activities include organizing scientific seminars and mentoring highschool or batchelor students.

Expected Skills

> Specific training

The candidate will have a Ph.D. in fluid mechanics, statistical physics or some related field. She/he will be a self-directed individual with a taste for laboratory experiments, applied mathematics and/or numerical analysis.

> Computer tools

Python or some other programming language, LaTeX.

> Professional qualities

Scientific curiosity, independence in the laboratory & clarity in scientific communication.

Obligations and risks

> Work schedules

The person recruited will be entitled to up to 54 working days’ leave, depending on his/her weekly working hours. Telecommuting is available at the IPGP, subject to the agreement of the supervisor and the Human Resources Department (up to 2 days a week after 6 months’ seniority).

> Professional trips

International scientific conferences.

Training and experience required

> Minimum of 5 years experience

> Education level or diploma

The candidate will have a Ph.D. in fluid mechanics, statistical physics or some related field.

How to apply

This position is open to contract staff. 1-year fixed-term contract with a 2-month trial period, which may be renewed.

The person recruited will be entitled to up to 54 working days’ leave, depending on his/her weekly working hours. Telecommuting is available at the IPGP, subject to the agreement of the line manager and the Human Resources Department (up to 2 days a week after 6 months’ seniority in the position).

Your application, comprising a CV and covering letter in PDF format, should be sent by e-mail to :

– Olivier Devauchelle ()

– Eric Lajeunesse ()

An initial selection will be made on the basis of applications. Selected candidates will be interviewed.