Research Engineer in Geosciences

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 Piton de la Fournaise Volcanological Observatory (OVPF-IPGP), located in Plaine des Cafres (Réunion Island), provides operational, scientific, and technical monitoring of Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. It also provides operational monitoring of the Fani Maoré submarine volcano and the active volcanic zone of Mayotte as part of the Mayotte Volcanological and Seismological Monitoring Network (REVOSIMA).

The OVPF-IPGP team consists of researchers, engineers, assistant engineers, and a manager.

Missions

This recruitment is part of the ERDF (FEDER) project “Extreme Volcanic Phenomena at Piton de la Fournaise in a Context of Global Change.” This project, structured around four main areas, aims to improve our understanding of extreme volcanic phenomena at Piton de la Fournaise (eruptions in inhabited areas, known as outside the Enclos or eccentric eruptions, explosive phreatic and phreatomagmatic eruptions, and large-scale flank destabilizations) – which, due to their location and intensity, pose the greatest risk to the population.

The recruited candidate will work within the third area: “Influence of Hydrological Forcing on Volcanic Activity.” In the context of current climate change, with scenarios predicting a 6 to 8% decrease in annual rainfall on Réunion Island by 2100, but with more frequent extreme rainfall events (Météo France, 2009), not only could the hydrological forcing mechanisms be altered—impacting the frequency of magmatic intrusions and eruptions—but also the nature of eruptions could change (effusive versus explosive). More vigorous flows in the internal strata could increase mechanical stress and further weaken the stability of the volcano. It is therefore necessary to better understand the interactions between climate, hydrology, and volcanic dynamics to anticipate the impacts of climate change on the volcano’s activity. The project includes numerical modeling work to describe the 4D feedback between mechanical forcing (inflation, deflation) and hydrological forcing (fluid overpressure, hydrogeological drainage).

Within this framework, the mission will be to model the forcing of the Piton de La Fournaise hydrogeological system by extreme climatic events in a context of climate change; the candidate will notably have to:

• Develop a numerical tool that will describe the state of internal water saturation within the edifice and the circulation volumes, in order to characterize (i) the variability of mechanical forcing at the top of the magma storage zone and under the eastern flank, as well as their stability, and (ii) the edifice’s capacity to trap groundwater or its efficiency in evacuating it for an assessment of phreatomagmatic risk.

Activities

• Development of numerical models to test extreme rainfall scenarios on internal hydrogeological flows within the Piton de la Fournaise volcano
• Field missions (Piton de la Fournaise)
• Writing international articles
• Participation in international conferences/symposia

Expected Skills

• Sensitivity to multidimensional numerical modeling of heat and elemental transfer in porous/fractured media
• Proficiency in presentation techniques
• Intellectual curiosity
• Critical thinking
• Conceptualization skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative spirit
• English proficiency: B2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)

 Obligations and risks

• Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Full-time (100%)
• Fieldwork in sometimes challenging conditions (altitude, heat, rugged terrain)
• Possible participation in on-call duties and other Observatory missions

Training and experience required

• Degree: Master’s degree, PhD, Engineering degree
• 4-6 years of professional experience (including doctoral studies, if applicable)
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment

How to apply

• CV and cover letter
• Application deadline: august 01, 2026
• Contacts: Fabrice J. Fontaine (), Aline Peltier ()