This vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Ifremer, for any queries please contact the co-supervisors listed below.

The Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale is seeking a highly motivated PhD student, with a background in remote sensing and/or physical oceanography and/or sediment dynamics in estuarine and coastal systems for a fully funded doctoral research position, in the framework of the LandSeaLot project.

The estuary-coastal sea continuum represents a critical zone in aquatic systems, providing essential functions to the ecosystem and numerous services to society. Notably, the observation and alert on any changes to the estuary-coastal sea continuum system in response to natural or human pressures, particularly in terms of sediment transport, is a major challenge that we seek to address.

The Horizon Europe project, LandSeaLot (2024-2028) aims to propose original solutions that will enhance our current knowledge of the land-sea interface by creating a joint observation strategy and defragmenting scientific communities that specialize in in situ observation, remote sensing, and modelling.

In this context, the PhD project aims to combine and integrate high-frequency in situ data (COAST-HF, SYNAPSES) with water colour satellite data (Sentinel 2/3 – Landsat – MODIS) to enhance our understanding of the sediment dynamics in the land-sea interface. This project focuses on the Seine estuary and bay, a site of high importance with a substantial history of in situ observations.

In this position you will:

1. Evaluate the performance of state-of-the-art algorithms available in the literature along the Seine Estuary and Bay.
2. Examine the possible relationships between reflectance (from satellite, possibly in situ) and SPM characteristics (from in situ measurements).
3. Develop a methodical approach to combine in situ high frequency observation and satellite data to lower uncertainties in SPM concentration satellite products.
4. Analyse SPM dynamics in the estuary-sea continuum.

The PhD project will be co-supervised by Charles Verpoorter (ULCO/LOG UMR 8187) and Romaric Verney (Ifremer, Brest). The candidate will be based in Wimereux and will regularly stay in Brest for short visits. The candidate is expected to work closely with the LandSeaLot project Consortium.

University Establishment: Université du Littoral Côte d’Opale

Doctoral School: EDSTS 585 – Sciences, Technologie, Santé

Application Deadline: May 21, 2024, at 11:59 PM

Desired Skills: Master’s degree in marine sciences, remote sensing, coastal environment, or physical oceanography.  Strong data analysis skills, strong knowledge of remote sensing, and proficiency in programming (R, Python, MATLAB).

How to apply? send your CV and cover letter to charles.verpoorter@univ-littoral.fr  and romaric.verney@ifremer.fr

The final application process will be established on the ADUM platform. For more information, you can follow this link: https://adum.fr/sujetT?id=55664.

Do not hesitate to contact the co-supervisors directly: charles.verpoorter@univ-littoral.fr  and romaric.verney@ifremer.fr 

Please note that no additional information will be provided other than via the channels indicated above.