Research Scientist in Physical Modeling of Hydrothermal Fluxes (M/F)

Offer Description

As a French institute for international scientific research, IRD contributes to strengthening the resilience of societies facing global change. It operates in more than 50 countries across Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, as well as in mainland France and overseas territories.

Its research activities address concrete priority needs: climate change mitigation and adaptation, reduction of poverty and inequalities, biodiversity preservation, access to healthcare, and understanding social dynamics. Research questions are co-developed with field stakeholders and local populations. Teams integrate perspectives, disciplines and knowledge through long-term partnerships to build robust, high-impact solutions.

IRD promotes research that benefits the greatest number. It shares the outcomes of its projects and places science at the service of action, supporting the transformation of societies toward more equitable and sustainable social, economic and environmental models.

The unit you will join

The MARBEC Joint Research Unit (MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation and Conservation), established in 2015, is dedicated to the study of marine biodiversity and its interactions with human activities. Under the supervision of IRD, Ifremer, CNRS and the University of Montpellier, it is a major center for marine ecology research in France.

The unit includes around 300 staff members (researchers, faculty, engineers, PhD students), mainly based in Sète, Montpellier and Palavas-les-Flots, with numerous international collaborations, particularly in tropical regions.

MARBEC’s research focuses on coastal, lagoon and open-ocean ecosystems, both in the Mediterranean and tropical regions. The approach is integrative, from the individual level to population and ecosystem dynamics. Research aims to understand how marine biodiversity functions and evolves under anthropogenic pressures such as fishing, climate change and pollution.

The unit also develops observation, experimental and modeling tools to inform public policies and promote sustainable use of marine resources. It contributes to training and scientific expertise for the management of marine socio‑ecosystems.

An attractive mission

This position is part of the ERC‑Synergy HARVEST project, an ambitious 6‑year research program aimed at quantifying the role of shallow hydrothermal sources (volcanic arcs and hotspots) in ocean iron fertilization, with major implications for marine productivity and the global carbon cycle.

The project combines large-scale oceanographic campaigns and high‑resolution numerical modeling, and involves a broad interdisciplinary team (senior scientists, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, engineers) in a high‑level scientific environment.

In this context, you will be responsible for developing, leading, and promoting physical parameterizations of hydrothermal fluxes and mixing processes in ocean models, in order to quantify their impacts on ocean circulation and biogeochemical cycles.

Under the supervision of IRD researchers, your activities will include:

• Developing innovative physical parameterizations of hydrothermal fluxes (heat, tracers) and associated processes (plumes, buoyancy, mixing).
• Designing and leading numerical experiments using CROCO configurations aligned with the project’s scientific objectives.
• Analyzing and interpreting results to characterize impacts on ocean circulation, vertical transport, and physical–biogeochemical interactions.
• Calibrating and constraining developments using high‑resolution observational data (turbulence, microstructure, hydrothermal plumes).
• Contributing significantly to scientific output (first‑author publications, structuring scientific questions).
• Participating in the co‑design of multi‑scale experiments (from local to global) within the consortium.
• Working closely with the research engineer responsible for implementing, maintaining, and optimizing modeling configurations (CROCO/NEMO‑PISCES) to ensure consistency between scientific developments and numerical implementation.

Your future team

You will join a multidisciplinary team structured around the recruitment of approximately 15 researchers (PhD students, postdocs, engineers), working closely with specialists in physical oceanography, marine biogeochemistry and geophysics.

You will interact closely with experts in physical modeling, marine biogeochemistry and geophysics, as well as with observational teams involved in field campaigns.

You will be positioned at the interface between observations, theory and modeling, within a dynamic, demanding and highly collaborative scientific environment.

Joining IRD

Throughout your career, IRD supports the development of your skills.

The institute provides a range of tools, including a digital onboarding pathway, access to continuous training, career advancement and mobility opportunities.

Depending on activities, IRD offers the possibility of remote work 1 to 3 days per week.

Benefits

By joining IRD, you will benefit from:

• 32 days of annual leave + 13 RTT days (full‑time)
• Meal vouchers or access to a staff restaurant (depending on location)
• Optional annual subscription to AOS (leisure, sports and cultural benefits)
• Complementary health insurance (MGEN), providing high‑quality healthcare and coverage

IRD – an institute that gives meaning to your career

Our recruitment processes are based on skills, without distinction of origin, age or gender, and all positions are open to persons with disabilities.

You have developed the following skills:

• Proven expertise in ocean physical modeling (CROCO, NEMO or equivalent) and in developing physical parameterizations or studying mixing processes.
• In‑depth understanding of buoyancy processes, turbulence, and topography–circulation interactions.
• Strong scientific programming skills (Fortran) and experience in high‑performance computing.
• Knowledge of marine biogeochemical models (particularly PISCES or equivalent) and understanding of carbon and/or iron cycle processes.

You demonstrate the following personal qualities:

• High level of scientific autonomy and ability to lead conceptual developments.
• Initiative and ability to propose new approaches or hypotheses.
• Ability to work effectively in a demanding multidisciplinary environment.
• Scientific rigor and critical thinking in analysis and interpretation of results.
• Ability to communicate and promote research through publications and international presentations.

You hold a PhD (level 8) in physical oceanography or a related discipline, with postdoctoral experience.