News - Career
Postdoc position in numerical modelling of coastal particulate transport
The Hydraulics Division of the KU Leuven Department of Civil Engineering offers a 2 year postdoc position (2017-2018) in the framework of the EU JPI Oceans Microplastics project WEATHER-MIC (http://www.jpi-oceans.eu/weather-mic/about). The task consists of the set-up of a 3-dimensional numerical model to simulate the transport, fate and dispersion of microplastic particles released from water treatment plant overflows in the Oslo Fjord and the Himmerfjärden Bay (Stockholm).
During this period, the postdoc will also contribute to the BELSPO STEREOIII project Proba4Coast (comparison of simulated SPM data with remote sensing images for the Belgian coastal area), the BELSPO BRAIN.be project INID67 (numerical simulation of SPM in the Belgian coastal area) and the VLAIO funded SBO project CREST (Climate resilient Coast – www.crestproject.be) (numerical simulation of beach erosion for the Belgian coast).
In all these case the same TELEMAC modelling system will be used. Different new process modules (especially for flocculation and biofilm formation) will have to be developed, implemented and tested.
The research is a continuation of ongoing work, i.e. much preparatory work (including the set-up of the hydrodynamic models) is mostly done. The selected postdoc will collaborate with other researchers within the KU Leuven Sediment Mechanics research group, as well as with TELEMAC users and developers in Belgium, France and the UK.
Profile
The candidate holds a PhD degree in civil, hydraulic or coastal engineering, oceanography or mechanical engineering (specialized in CFD). The master degree does not need to be in the same discipline. The ideal candidate has:
- theoretical knowledge of the physics of fluid flow, turbulence, waves and particulate (or sediment) transport
- experience in numerical modelling of fluid flow (computational fluid dynamics, preferably applied to 2D and 3D hydraulics and morphodynamics)
- experience in the use of the TELEMAC system (TELEMAC, TOMAWAC and SISYPHE) and knowledge of its code and numerical techniques
- experience in CFD code development and theoretical knowledge of numerical modelling
- experience in coding in FORTRAN.
Candidatures (including motivation letter, CV, diploma transcripts and relevant publications) and requests for further information can be sent to: Prof. Erik TOORMAN Hydraulics Division, Department of Civil Engineering, KU Leuven Kasteelpark Arenberg 40 (box 2448), B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel. +32 16 32 16 59, Fax +32 16 32 19 89
Post-doctoral position: Seagrass restoration project in the Berre lagoon - efficiency and optimisation of a wave absorption system
Context
The Berre Lagoon (France) is one of the largest Mediterranean lagoons (155 km²). It's a shallow semi-confined ecosystem (mean depth 6.5 m) connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Caronte channel. It receives freshwater from two main rivers and from Saint-Chamas EDF hydroelectric power plant. As a transitional system, there are many interactions between marine water, freshwater and meteorological forcings.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the lagoon bottom was covered by a very extensive Zostera sp. meadows. These meadows perform numerous functions like stabilizing the sea bottom, providing food and habitats for other marine organisms. But, because of eutrophication, organic pollution through increasing agriculture and urbanization in river catchments, over-sedimentation, Zostera sp. meadows declined in the Berre Lagoon. Transplantation experiments have been achieved, with some positive but always limited results (survival, expansion). This could be due to strong hydrodynamic stresses (currents, waves): uprooting and damages on roots and leaves could prevent their expansion.
Scientific work has already been achieved. Seagrass characteristics have been monitored in situ. Hydrodynamics and sedimentology in a bay of the lagoon has been studied during a PhD work at the CEREGE (European Center for Research and Teaching Geosciences and Environment, France) (Paquier, 2014). A hydrodynamic numerical model (waves – currents coupled model considering effect of vegetation on hydrodynamics) has also been developed in a post-doctoral work at the LNHE-LHSV Lab (National Laboratory for Hydraulics and Environment EDF R&D and Hydraulics Laboratory Saint Venant, France) to better understand hydrodynamic processes involved.
As a result of these studies, temporary use of artificial seagrass mats could be considered as a soft engineering solution to reduce wave and induce favorable hydrodynamic conditions for natural seagrass expansion. The post-doctoral position is a preliminary step for a possible future mat (artificial seagrass) deployment as a demonstrator: it will assess the efficiency of such a system in real site conditions. The final objective of this work is to propose demonstrator specifications in terms of material, sizing, positioning, etc.
Objectives
A numerical « waves – 3D currents » coupled model (TOMAWAC and TELEMAC-3D softwares) covering a Berre lagoon specific area exists and will be used during this research work. It calculates waves and currents characteristics resulting from hydrodynamic forcings and takes into account vegetation effect on hydrodynamics (implemented in the model by means of its geometrical characteristics and a drag coefficient).
The proposed research work is both experimental (wave propagation experiments in a flume) and numerical (waves and 3D currents modelling). The 3 main tasks are:
- First step of the study is based on numerical modelling. Wave generation and propagation in the studied area will be simulated for a period of about 3 years. Simulation results will be analyzed and the wave regime characterized in order to define the features of the waves for the flume experiments.
- Experimental part of the study will rely on LNHE physical modelling facilities and skills. First, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to identification of some materials that can be used as artificial vegetal mats, depending on technical and environmental specifications. The candidate will also contribute to the definition of an experimental protocol (methodology, metrology...). Experiments in a wave flume will then be carried out with one or several types of artificial mats. The aim is to study their effect on waves attenuation depending on different parameters (materials geometric characteristics, water depth, wave characteristics...). Based on the measurements, the quantification of a "drag coefficient" will be used to estimate ability of the tested materials to attenuate waves.
- The numerical model will be used to compute hydrodynamics in the area of interest when considering artificial seagrass mats installed on the lagoon bottom. These mats are supposed to limit hydrodynamic stresses in some target areas in order to favor natural seagrass development. Numerical simulations will contribute to artificial seagrass mats sizing and positioning optimization and thus technical specifications for a possible in situ demonstrator deployment will be proposed.
Conditions
- 12 months fixed-term job.
- PhD required.
- Skills: Hydrodynamics, numerical modelling.
- An experience in experimental field would be appreciated as well as some knowledge on Fortran programming.
Laboratory
Laboratoire Hydraulique Saint-Venant LHSV
6, Quai Watier – 78400 Chatou (west suburbs from Paris)
France
RER A – Rueil-Malmaison station
http://www.saint-venant-lab.fr/saint-venant
Contact
Nathalie Durand (LNHE – EDF R&D)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (+33)1.30.87.77.50
Post offer: Post-doctoral position on parametric shape optimisation in hydraulic
Saint-Venant Hydraulics Laboratory, Université Paris Est
(joint research unit Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, EDF, Cerema)
Location: EDF Lab Chatou (France)
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 in the
fields of parametric shape optimisation in application of hydraulic problems:
- Structure. Shifting, resizing and rotating river and coastal protection structures to optimise selected flow variables to a desired stable state;
- Zone. Identifying optimum zones to maximise sustainability and minimise costs.
The aim of this post-doctoral position is to provide an efficient numerical tool based on TELEMAC system able to deliver optimal shape design for hydraulic engineering applications. The purpose of the present work is to develop methods to solve the optimisation problem based on derivative-free and gradient algorithms. These algorithms will be tested on a simplified configuration and then on industrial cases.
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 organised along three main themes:
- Waves and marine hazards;
- Modeling and simulation of free-surface flows;
- 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. 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. Riadh Ata and Dr. Cedric Goeury (see e-mail addresses below) a cover letter and CV. All applications completed by March 31st, 2016 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. Riadh Ata [EDF and Saint-Venant Laboratory], 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.
Researcher in hydrodynamic/sediment transport modelling (M/F)
The Luxembourg Institute for Science and Technology in Luxembourg is currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher in sediment transport modelling using Telemac-Mascaret.
The online version of the job description can also be found there: job description
Candidates interested in the above position can apply online via our website: www.list.lu
The application file should include:
- a CV, including a list of RDI outcomes (patents, prototypes, publications,...)
- a motivation letter
- contact information of 2-3 references
- any other document you may think useful to be considered in your application file
For any questions regarding the scientific background of the project, feel free to contact Renaud Hostache (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Christophe Hissler (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
This position is now filled: Development of a new framework in Python for hydraulic-habitat models
IRSTEA, Aix-En-Provence, France
IRSTEA (National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture) is currently looking for a software development engineer in hydraulic-habitat models. A new open-source framework (middleware) is to be constructed between 1D-2D hydrodynamic world-class solvers (TELEMAC 2D, MASCARET 1D, or others) and fish habitat models.
A detailed job description (in French) can be found here.
Candidates can send CV and motivation letter to the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. indicating the following reference: 2016-7-IR-HYAX
PhD post: Dynamics of the Amazonian mud bank system
Dynamics of the Amazonian mud bank system through spatial observation and hydro-sedimentary modeling: application to the coastal domain of French Guiana
Due to its geographical position near by the Amazon river estuary, French Guiana coastal domain is permanently under the influence of huge mud inputs from this river forming important mud bank structures migrating along the coastline. The migration of these mud banks continuously modulates the geomorphology of this coastal area characterized by an alternance of erosion and accretion zones. The understanding of the processes driving the migration of the mud banks represents a crucial issue at regional scale for various field of application (e.g. ecology, coastal management...). Recent studies have demonstrated the interest of using the information delivered by ocean color observation (MERIS, MODIS, SeaWIFs) for describing synoptically the Amazonian mud banks system. Despite their obvious interest, the latter medium spatial resolution data are however not fine enough for allowing a precise description of the hydro-sedimentary processes involved in this original geomorphological system.
This PhD was built in the latter context and will aim at providing a better understanding of the Guianese mud banks system through the development of innovative approaches coupling medium and high spatial resolution remote sensing observation and hydro-sedimentary modeling.
Specifically, a first of the PhD will consist in developing remote sensing observation of suspended sediment concentration in the coastal waters of French Guiana using medium (e.g. MERIS) and high resolution sensors (Landsat-8). This activity will need the development of inversion algorithms adapted to the high turbidity of this coastal domain and will provide innovative data especially regarding the high resolution sensors.
Further, a second part of the PhD activity will consist in the adaptation of a hydro-sedimentary model (TELEMAC) to the investigated region based on the in situ and satellite data gathered in the frame of the PhD that will complement existing data in the area.
In practice this PhD will be held at the CNRS-Guyane (Cayenne) and will couple in situ and programming activities that will benefit from the facilities already available in the laboratory.
Application: Resume and cover letter.
Contact: Antoine Gardel (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.), Vincent Vantrepotte (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) & Nicolas Huybrechts (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
