Integrated Resilience of Coastal Systems in Transition M/F

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Direction des ressources humaines Research Field Environmental science Environmental science » Earth science Environmental science » Global change Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 2 Sep 2026 - 17:00 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 4 Aug 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The IPCC report highlights the impact of global warming on the oceans: melting ice, sea level rise (15 cm in the 20th century, potentially up to 1.1 m by 2100). Coastal areas are experiencing shoreline retreat, accelerated erosion, saltwater intrusion into rivers, and ecosystem degradation, leading to biodiversity loss. Metropolitan France and its overseas territories, which together form the world's second-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (11 million km², 20,000 km of coastline), face the threat of 700,000 hectares being submerged during extreme events. Its overseas territories are home to 10% of the world's coral reefs (62% of which are already degraded) and 10,000 hectares of mangroves.Pressures on coastal zones are intensifying due to climate change (rising sea levels, extreme events) and historically rigid management strategies (such as dikes and groynes). While these solutions are effective in the short term, they are unsustainable and harmful to ecosystems—yet these ecosystems are critical for resilience and the carbon cycle. It is estimated that 8 out of 10 municipalities are exposed to major risks, not to mention the 525,000 jobs in the maritime economy that are at stake. Relocation strategies are already necessary in some areas (e.g., Awala-Yalimapo in French Guiana, Treffiagat in Brittany).In this context, this CPJ project, integrated into the long-term observation framework of the ILICO Research Infrastructure, aims to study natural processes to understand their functioning, model them, propose solutions, and support operational services. It establishes a link between CNRS-INSU and CNRS Ecology and Environment, working with and for local communities to provide actionable responses

The targeted laboratories have recognized teams in long-term coastal and littoral observation, in Essential Biodiversity Variables (EoVs), and in the underlying processes. They also contribute to France's participation in the European coastal and littoral research infrastructure project JERICO, of which our institutions and universities are already members. The coordination of JERICO is jointly managed by CNRS and Ifremer.

The chairholder will develop innovative research on physical hazards affecting coastal systems, improving understanding, forecasting, and quantification of uncertainties in a context of increasing human anthropisation and climate change, to better anticipate and reduce risks. The project will build on long-term data from SNO DYNALIT and SONEL, exploring coastal hazard impacts on biological compartments in synergy with SNO BENTHOBS and PHYTOBS, with special attention to physical-ecological interactions conditioning habitat states and risk mitigation capacity. The goal is to leverage in-situ data via an integrated "In-situ – Modeling – Spatial" approach, enhanced by the SWOT mission's high spatial resolution. The chair will guide data acquisition strategies using models and satellite data to fill unsampled gaps. New AI, machine learning, and modeling advances will address complex systems, develop predictive scenarios, and design early warning tools for research and society

In agreement with the host institution hosting, the teaching duties will be fully converted into a national observation service within the scope of ILICO research infrastructure. This service will constitute a full exemption from teaching duties and will consist in a long-term observation commitment, in support of high-quality research serving society and decision-makers and managers in the regions.At the end of the contractual period, the candidate will be appointed to a tenured position as Director of Research at the CNRS-INSU.

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project's socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific. There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability.