News - Career
Post-doctoral position on Data Assimilation in 2D hydraulic models
The Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory is a joint research laboratory between Ecole des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC), Electricité de France R&D (EDF R&D) and Cerema. This gives it a unique position in the field of applied fluid mechanics, at the interface between academy and industry. The Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory seeks to fill a 18 month post-doctoral position on Data Assimilation in 2D hydraulic models.
The aim of this post-doctoral position is to provide an operational tool required to move vessels into the Gironde channel. The numerical tool, based on TELEMAC system (widely used open-source code www.opentelemac.org), must be able to deliver the real time water depth with uncertainty and confidence interval. The purpose of the present work is to develop a mathematical method resulting from data assimilation techniques, in order to formalize the knowledge of the events to automate the calibration process. Data assimilation methods combine the solution of models with measurements. They rely on a mathematical background that helps to find optimal solutions to complex problems with an explicit representation of errors. The underlying optimization problem is solved using a descent based or filter approach. This makes it possible to define the optimal parameter adjustment which minimizes the difference between the observations and the results arising from the numerical model. This optimization problem will be solved using derivative-free and gradient algorithms.
Successful applicants should, by the start of the appointment, have a Ph.D., or equivalent experience in Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Sciences or Mechanical/Civil Engineering. The use and development of high performance numerical computing are highly desirable. The researcher will be employed by Ecole des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC). Salary and benefits will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
About Saint-Venant laboratory and the host research team:
The Saint-Venant laboratory is actively engaged in fundamental and applied research, and its research activities are organized along three main themes: (A) Waves and marine hazards, (B) Modeling and simulation of free-surface flows, (C) Sediment transport and morphodynamics.
The laboratory has access to a unique variety of facilities, such as the 8000 m2 of experimental facilities and the development of high-performance Computational Fluid Dynamics models for environmental flows and transport processes, including the opensource Telemac-Mascaret modelling system (http://www.opentelemac.org). The laboratory is located on the EDF Lab site in Chatou (France), about 15 km from Paris downtown.
More information about our laboratory can be found at: http://www.saint-venant-lab.fr
How to apply
Applicants should send to Dr. Jean-Philippe Argaud and Dr. Cedric Goeury (see e-mail
addresses below): a cover letter and CV. All applications completed by April 31st, 2017 will receive full consideration, but candidates are urged to submit all required material as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
For additional information, please contact:
- Dr. Jean-Philippe Argaud [EDF], e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Dr. Cedric Goeury [EDF], e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Post-doc position on Hydrodynamic and sediment transport model of the Mahury estuary (French Guiana)
The 300 km coastline of French Guiana is one of the most dynamic coastlines due to mud banks migration. Along this shoreline, several rivers flow to the Atlantic Ocean and interact with these mud banks. Most of the population, which is expected to double in the next decades, lives along rivers or near the coastline. This growth combined with industrial developments and global warming increase the vulnerability against flooding and beach erosion. A project between CEREMA and BRGM has been funded to analyze (1) the interactions between rivers and the coastal mud bank migration and (2) their impact on risks management.
The studied site is the Mahury estuary where is located the main Port of French Guiana. Since 2012, a mud bank is migrating along the mouth which induces severe sediment settling and continuously dredging. The main city "Cayenne" is also located beside the mouth. Sand beaches of the city are fed by sediment fluxes from the Mahury and offshore fluxes. The presence of mud bank modifies the dynamics: wave attenuation by mud, coarser particles trapped by mud and modification of stratification pattern. The fluxes modification may induce more sediment deficit and increase the risk of sea flooding.
Within this framework, it is proposed to build a 3D hydrodynamic and sediment transport model of the Mahury estuary. The numerical models will be based on the open source TELEMAC-MASCARET modeling system (www.opentelemac.org). The ability of the numerical model to predict the maximum turbidity and its seasonal variation will be investigated. Once validated, the model should provide information related to the influence of the mud bank and modification of the main forcing. The numerical model will benefit from several in situ data (PhD Orseau 2016) and from remote sensing data (PhD Abascal Zorrilla in progress).
We are looking for a candidate having a PhD in fluid mechanics, hydraulics, geosciences or coastal oceanography and strong expertise related to sedimentology (cohesive and non-cohesive), geomorphology, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, wave modeling and numerical methods. Knowledge of French language is not mandatory.
About the host research laboratory:
The welcoming laboratory is the joint research unit (between Université de Technologie de Compiègne and the CEREMA Water Sea and Rivers) located in Compiègne in France (40 min by train from Paris).
How to apply
Candidates are encouraged to apply to Dr. Nicolas Huybrechts (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with a motivation letter, CV, and contact information of two referees.
Deadline: October 30.
Expected starting date: December 1st 2017
open postdoc position at KU Leuven
Dear researchers,
Professor Erik A. Toorman has a postdoc position available (12 to max. 18 months) to work on treatment of tidal flats in TELEMAC (The position can be filled in immediately).
This is in the framework of our Eulerian plastic litter transport model development for a Flemish project (www.Pluxin.be) and an EU H2020 project (www.Labplas.eu), where we develop a floating litter module (in analogy to bedload) for which beaching and shore pickup of litter needs to be modelled as well (in combination with the drying-wetting algorithm).
If you know a postdoc with good TELEMAC experience who might be interested, let her/him get in touch with me.
Best regards
Erik A. Toorman
Professor in theoretical and computational fluid and sediment mechanics, KU Leuven
erik.toorman [@] kuleuven.be
HydroQuest looking for a R&D Engineer
HydroQuest is looking for a R&D Engineer to deploy a hydrodynamic model at the regional scale of their tidal sites based on open TELEMAC-MASCARET.
job offer is available on their Web site: https://www.hydroquest.fr/carriere/
Junior Researcher (Doctoral Candidate)
Junior Researcher (Doctoral Candidate)
Ref:2023_13
SEDIMARE HR Wallingford Project: Multi-models approach to scour in dynamic areas
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network:
Sediment Transport and Morphodynamics in Marine and Coastal Waters with Engineering Solutions (SEDIMARE) 2023-2027
Salary: £36,386-£43,626 (in accordance with the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie-Actions financial guidelines for this scheme)
Duration: 36-month fixed-term contract
HR Wallingford have an exciting opening for a Junior Researcher (Doctoral Candidate) to join the SEDIMARE Doctoral Network consortium. The successful candidate will be based in the Coasts and Oceans Group in Wallingford and enrolled for a fee-free PhD at the UK Open University researching a multi-model approach to scour in dynamic areas. The position includes secondment opportunities to the University of Nottingham, UK and the University of Patras, Greece. The successful candidate will work on the development of an accurate integrated scour dynamics tool.
The SEDIMARE Doctoral Network consortium will provide a training-through-research program to 12 Doctoral Award/PhD Candidates across Europe and the UK in complex sediment transport processes involving sand-mud mixtures, mixed-size sands, granular-fluid mixtures; coupling between hydrodynamics (waves, storm surges, and tides), sediment transport, morphological changes, and engineering solutions to issues related to erosion/sedimentation with emphasis on sustainability and resilience. The research methods include effective process-based engineering modelling, advanced numerical simulations, and innovative experiments.
This project aims to combine different model approaches (Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), St-Venant and empirical) to provide an accurate integrated scour dynamics tool, that can be applied in morphologically active locations and includes the interactions between scour around coastal structures and the wider morphodynamics.
Taking the strength of the 3 approaches, the turbulence modelling of the CFD, the sand transport predictions of the St Venant models and the grounding in reality of the empirical models, cutting-edge improvements can be achieved on the individual approaches.
You will be responsible for conducting research on sediment transport and scour processes, and the coupling between hydrodynamics and sediment transport to predict large scale morphological changes. You will develop and implement effective process-based engineering models and run advanced numerical simulations to better understand these complex processes. You will collaborate with other members of the SEDIMARE Doctoral Network . As part of your role, you will attend and present at national and international conferences and workshops and write and submit scientific articles for publication in international peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
- Hold a primary degree or masters in civil / mechanical / maritime engineering, physical oceanography, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline.
- Meet the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early-Stage Researcher eligibility criteria. Further information can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/wp/2016_2017/main/h2020-wp1617-msca_en.pdf.
- At the time of appointment, have less than four years full-time equivalent research experience and must not have already obtained a PhD.
- Have not resided in the UK (recruiting host country) for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the appointment.
- Have a strong interest in sediment transport processes, hydrodynamics, and morphodynamics.
- Strong scientific computing skills are required. Experience with OpenFoam and/or openTELEMAC preferred. Be able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Have excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Be able to travel to other institutions within the SEDIMARE Doctoral Network consortium.
Please note: the language of MSCA is English and candidates must have evidenced proficiency in English to meet HR Wallingford’s requirements.
Benefits
- Attractive salary in accordance with MSCA regulations for Doctoral Candidates, including living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance (if applicable).
- Enrolment for a fee-free PhD at the UK Open University.
- Secondment opportunities to the University of Nottingham, UK and the University of Patras, Greece
- Opportunities to collaborate with international experts in the field of sediment transport and morphodynamics in marine and coastal waters with engineering solutions.
- Opportunities to attend and present at national and international conferences and workshops.
- Funded PhD for the period of employment, with options for further financial support.
Application Process:
- Application must be made via the HR Wallingford careers page: www.hrwallingford.com/careers/uniorResearcherCoastalModelling
- The application must include a CV, a cover letter, and the names and contact information of at least two referees. Applications that do not adhere to these requirements will not be considered.
- The application deadline is May 31st, 2023, 23:59 GMT. Late applications will not be considered.
Informal queries may be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., but please do not send applications directly to this email address.
