Post-doc position on Hydrodynamic and sediment transport model of the Mahury estuary (French Guiana)
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 03 October 2017 10:15
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
