European chalk rivers: census and hydrogeomorphological characterisation. Opportunity to candid[...]

Organisation/Company: CNRS

Department: Écologie & Environnement

Research Field: Environmental science » Earth science, Geosciences » Geology, Geosciences » Hydrology

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1), Postdoc Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 20 Apr 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 35

Offer Starting Date: 13 Apr 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Job Description

Chalk streams are predominantly groundwater-fed and not strongly impacted by storm-runoff; subsequently, their flow regimes have distinctly seasonal patterns and are less flashy than streams on impermeable geology. The unmodified channel form of chalk streams reflects the stable flow regime, with high width to depth ratios, limited connectivity between land surface and river networks, and low rates of active bank erosion. Subsequently, there is an absence of sediment available for transport and thus, natural background concentrations of suspended sediment in chalk streams are substantially lower than other fluvial systems.

Yet, due to the sharp increase in the transfer of fine sediments to the valley bottoms and the increase in abstraction from their accompanying groundwater, the hydro-sedimentary dynamics of these streams are changing and their ecological status is deteriorating. However, we still know very little about how such streams are structured and function from a hydro-sedimentary point of view, just as we do not know their precise extent. These two factors are major obstacles to the implementation of measures to mitigate the detrimental effects of human pressures on these streams.

This project has two main objectives. The first is to carry out a survey of chalk rivers in Europe, based mainly on geological and hydrological criteria, in order to obtain a precise map of their extent. This is an essential prerequisite for the second objective, which is to draw up a hydro-geomorphological typology of these rivers, highlighting the diversity of these hydrosystems and, ultimately, defining management actions (including restoration) tailored to the specific characteristics of these rivers.

Profile Sought

The profile sought is that of a person with extensive experience in fluvial hydrogeomorphology, with strong GIS skills and a command of programming languages such as R, Matlab or Python, as well as an advanced level of English (B2-C1 minimum). The postdoc will be based in France, at the Laboratoire de Géographie Physique (CNRS), for 2/3 of the postdoc period, and in England, at the University of Southampton, for the remainder. There will be opportunities to work with English water sector companies and eNGO’s, thus providing the candidate opportunities to experience how chalk rivers are managed.

Where to Apply

E-mail: thomas.depret@cnrs.fr

Requirements

1. Research Field: Environmental science » Earth science, Education Level: PhD or equivalent
2. Research Field: Geosciences » Geology, Education Level: PhD or equivalent
3. Research Field: Geosciences » Hydrology, Education Level: PhD or equivalent
4. Skills/Qualifications: Extensive experience in fluvial hydrogeomorphology, strong GIS skills, command of programming languages such as R, Matlab or Python, and advanced level of English (B2-C1 minimum)
5. Languages: English, Level: Good
6. Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Additional Information

Eligibility Criteria: MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowships eligibility criteria

Selection Process: First stage selection on CV, second stage interview with supervisors