Research Associate in modelling geodynamic perturbations of climate signals

13 Oct 2023
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris

Research Field

Environmental science » Earth science
Geosciences » Geology
Physics » Biophysics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

13 Nov 2023 – 00:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Offer Starting Date

1 Dec 2023

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job Description:

Global movements of hot rocks deep inside Earth’s solid mantle (i.e. mantle convection), drive changes in the external ellipsoidal figure of the Earth. Such changes of figure induce displacements of the rotation axis relative to the surface geography, a process called ‘True Polar Wander’ (TPW), and they perturb Earth’s orientation to incoming solar radiation via changes in precession and obliquity cycles. Mantle convection also drives vertical displacements of Earth’s solid surface (i.e. dynamic topography) and variations in sea level, thus influencing the interpretation of geological sea-level markers used to infer the stability of polar ice sheets in past geologic ‘warm’ periods, such as the Last Interglacial (LIG) and the mid-Pliocene warm period (MPWP). Major questions remain concerning the magnitude and timing of mantle-convection induced changes of: (1) bedrock topography and sea level changes; (2) precession and obliquity cycles and corresponding (Milankovitch) insolation variations; (3) TPW.

These outstanding questions are the focus of the GYPTIS (Geodynamic Perturbations of Climate Signals) research project funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) in France. This project will use tomography-based reconstructions of the evolution of mantle convection to determine the corresponding impacts on sea level and Earth rotation variations. The goal is to obtain detailed maps of convection-induced perturbations of geological markers that record climate change in the recent and distant geologic past, extending back to the beginning of the Cenozoic era.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with group members who work on computational codes used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of mantle convection (e.g. doi.org/10.1002/2016JB012841 ).
• Employ the mantle convection reconstructions to predict the time-dependent evolution of Earth’s moment of inertia tensor and the corresponding changes in TPW and orbital parameters that control Milankovitch insolation variations (doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201116836 )
• Employ the mantle convection models to generate global maps of time-dependent evolution of dynamic surface topography, geoid/gravity anomalies and corresponding sea level variations.
• Check predictions (of TPW, Milankovitch cycles, and sea level) against corresponding geological data sets (e.g. paleomag pole positions, cyclostratigraphy, fossil corals/beaches).
• Participate in regular group meetings and actively interact with all group members.
• Present results in international conferences and workshops.
• Publish these results in peer-reviewed journals.
• Research activities will be carried out full time at the IPGP

 

Requirements

Research Field

Geosciences » Geology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree and a PhD in Geophysics or Geological Sciences

Expected Skills and Training:

• Experience in numerical geodynamic modelling, in particular modelling connections between mantle dynamics and surface geological/geophysical processes.
• Knowledge of fluid dynamics is preferable.
• Knowledge and experience in using scientific computing languages such as C++, Python, Matlab.
• Experience with GPlates and GMT software is highly desired.
• Experience working with Unix/Linux, or macOS, or Windows operating systems.
• Proficiency communicating and working in an international, collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.
• A record of published research in recognized journals.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Geosciences » Geology

Years of Research Experience

1 – 4

Additional Information
Benefits

Salary

4 000 € / month

Selection process

Applicants should submit:

(1) A cover letter including a statement of motivation and interests.

(2) A curriculum vitae (CV).

(3) The name and address of at least 2 persons of reference who can provide detailed assessments of the applicant’s aptitudes and skills.

The above items should be sent, via email, to Alessandro Forte ([email protected] ; [email protected] ).

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Further inquiries relating to this job offer may be addressed to Alessandro Forte ([email protected] ; [email protected] ) and Marianne Greff ([email protected] ).

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

IPGP

Country

France

City

Paris

Postal Code

75005

Street

1 rue Jussieu

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Paris Cedex 05

Website

http://www.ipgp.fr/fr

Street

1, rue Jussieu

Postal Code

75238

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED