Chercheur specialisé en modelisation pour les échanges eau-terre
Job description : The job involves developing, within the unit, the modelling of reactive transfers in the Water Soil Plant system.
The scientific challenge within the unit is twofold ; the modelling specialist must :
1. Strengthen the analytical approach by posing new generic questions. The research unit has scientific and analytical skills for studying flows and transfer mechanisms on different scales. To supplement this original approach, it is essential to combine the analytical approach with a modelling approach of the biophysical processes of the transfer and transformation of organic waste and pollutants. Currently, the pollutants studied are mainly nitrates and metal trace elements but applications in the pesticides area are conceivable. The modelling of these mechanisms, by combining the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects, but also the hydrodynamics of the systems, therefore form an additional and vital research area for our work, which is not currently developed.
2. Establish a direct link between the analytical approach and systemic approach. The scale environmental assessment models of the production system require a simplified, robust and global setting of all the biophysical variables. The analytical approach in its current state within the unit only partially achieves this. Modelling of Water Soil Plant transfers will create input data from models for managing complex and multi-criteria systems and therefore the opportunity to assess the consequences of these constraints on other features of the production system (e.g. : the effect of introducing a change in the quantities applied to the soil to limit leaching). We can also consider determining the threshold values above which the « critical natural capital » is initiated enabling the environment to fulfil the ecological services required of it.
The modelling of the Water Soil Plant transfers as previously set out will ensure the impact of introducing waste recycling is assessed in the future.
It will involve :
quantifying the flow of pollutants towards the ground water and/or crops (e.g. : biogeochemical cycle of nitrates in soils with high anion exchange capacity) ;
assessing the viability of the recycling systems introduced.
Initially the researcher will be assigned for a period of two years to CEREGE, under a partnership agreement. At the end of this period he/she will be assigned to Réunion Island as part of the second phase of the 2008-2012 operational programme.
Required profile :
Ph.D. required ; additional postdoctoral research preferable.
References in the disciplinary area of the modelling of biogeochemical cycles in interaction with crops.
Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team, draw up reports and scientific articles, address specialised or non-specialised audiences.
Excellent level of English (written and spoken).
Location :
CEREGE (Aix en Provence)
Type of contract :
Permanent
Start date :
December 2008
For further information about this position :
Hervé Saint Macary
Emmanuel Doelsch