Postdoctoral Researcher In Coupled Physical-Biogeochemical Modelling M - F H/F Ifremer

Deadline for applications: 30/04/2026

Who are we ?

The Pelagos laboratory (https://dyneco.ifremer.fr/en/Who-are-we/Pelagic-Ecology-PELAGOS) studies coastal pelagic ecosystems impacted by human activity, focusing on three main research areas:

• the analysis of the biogeochemical fluxes associated with planktonic activity
• the microbial community and population dynamics
• the theoretical analysis of ecosystems through modelling

Studies are conducted at various spatial (local to regional) and temporal scales (from daily to multi-decadal processes), and the biological models used range from prokaryotic to eukaryotic organisms, with a focus on toxic phytoplankton species.

The laboratory is located in the Ifremer Brittany Research Center (North-Western France). It belongs to the Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics Unit (DYNECO) of the Oceanography and Ecosystem Dynamics Department (ODE).

CodeBlue (https://www.smhi.se/codeblue) is a unique international research project (2025-2028, 13 countries bordering the Baltic Sea and the Northeast Atlantic participating), aimed at combating eutrophication, a major problem for the Baltic Sea and the Northeast Atlantic affecting numerous marine sectors such as fishing, tourism, and aquaculture. Eutrophication problems are primarily caused by excessive discharges of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the oceans.

The project investigates how eutrophication problems in the Baltic Sea and the Northeast Atlantic are influenced by climate change. To this end, a series of advanced multi-model simulations will be produced based on "What if" scenarios (hindcast and forecast), with a focus on harmonizing the outputs of the various European models.

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct their research within the DYNECO-Pelagos laboratory and will be fully integrated into the CodeBlue consortium.

What will your mission BE?

The postdoctoral researcher will have as their main mission the management of the French CROCO-BLOOM coupled physical-biological model over the Bay of Biscay - English Channel - Celtic Sea regions. They will be in charge of preparing simulations on the various scenarios considered, carrying them out with the French model, and producing harmonized results in order to conduct an "ensemble modelling" exercise with other European models.

What will your activities BE?

- Pre-processing: preparation of forcings (continental and atmospheric) and open boundary conditions for three hindcast scenarios (1960-2020): "baseline," "low nutrient," and "no climate change".

- Runs of the three hindcast simulations with the model coupling CROCO (physics), MUSTANG (sediments), and BLOOM (biogeochemistry) on the MANGAE2500 domain : English Channel - Bay of Biscay - Celtic Sea at a horizontal resolution of 2500 m.

- Post-processing of the simulation outputs on the CodeBlue variables of interest for inter-comparison with other European models (ensemble modelling). Analysis of the results.

- Preparation and testing of a forecast simulation for the SSP-RCP 3-7.0 scenario (2020-2050 or longer, depending on computational cost).

- Writing of scientific publications.

Who will you be working with?

• Internal collaborative relationship : Researchers and Modelling Engineers from the DYNECO Unit. Teams from the LOPS (Laboratory for Ocean Physics and Satellite remote sensing) Unit.
• External collaborative relationship : CROCO community - CodeBlue European Consortium - Mercator Ocean - Copernicus - OSPAR and HELCOM conventions.

How are your activities organised ?

• Contract duration: 2 years.
• Activity rate: full-time job.
• Travels for annual CodeBlue project meetings (Europe) and international conferences.
• Partial teleworking permitted (maximum 8 days/month).