Postdoctoral Researcher in marine connectivity modelling (M/F)

Postdoctoral Researcher in marine connectivity modelling (M/F)

The aim of the DYNECO unit (Dynamics of Coastal Ecosystems) is to assess the response of coastal ecosystems to anthropogenic and natural pressures. DYNECO focuses on the analysis of physical and biological processes that drive ecosystem structure and dynamics, using integrative approaches that combine experimentation, in situ observation and modelling. The Coastal Benthic Ecology Laboratory (LEBCO) focuses on understanding and predicting benthic ecosystem community structure and associated functions along the French Channel-Atlantic coastline; and on studying their responses to environmental conditions and anthropogenic pressures.

Within the Oceanography and Ecosystem Dynamics department (ODE) in the DYNECO research unit, and under the responsibility of the LEBCO head, the researcher will be responsible for modelling the main patterns of marine connectivity of benthic invertebrate populations along the French Channel-Atlantic coast and the impact of recent and future wind farms on this connectivity. This work is part of the GreyCo project (Grey Connectivity, 2024-2028) funded by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB).

General areas of responsibility

In the context of offshore wind farms development along French metropolitan coast, the GreyCo project aims to study marine connectivity between coastal populations of marine invertebrates (mussels, ascidians, etc.) on natural reefs and these colonizing wind farms. The aim is to determine how artificial substrate associated with wind farms (existing or future) can modify the connectivity paths between distant natural populations; and to assess the effects of alternative geographical positions in a marine spatial planning context. The project will also identify the source populations that can colonise artificial substrate on wind farms. Both population genetics approaches and larval dispersal modelling will be used to assess changes in the connectivity networks of benthic populations associated with offshore wind farm facilities.

In this context, you will carry out larval dispersal simulations, based on the Lagrangian transport modelling tool Ichthyop forced by existing three-dimensional (3D) hourly fields of current, salinity and temperature. These 3D hydrodynamic fields were generated using the CROCO community hydrodynamic code on the MANGAE2500 configuration, which covers the Bay of Biscay and the English Channel with a horizontal resolution of 2.5 km and a vertical resolution of 40 sigma layers. These realistic simulations of hydrodynamic conditions cover the period 1997-2019. Using climate projections of changes in hydrodynamics over the period 2020-2050, which will come available in 2026, you will also assess the consequences of alternative climate change scenarios on the connectivity patterns of benthic species along the French Channel-Atlantic coast. Using graph theory to characterise connectivity networks, you will produce tools and indicators to assess the impact of wind farms on the connectivity of benthic species, and compare the consequences of alternative spatial planning scenarios (i.e. different locations of future wind farms).

Main activities

1. Definition and parameterisation of larval dispersal scenarios between distant populations (that can colonise natural or artificial substrates). The biological parameters associated with larval behaviour (larval life span, active swimming, variation in buoyancy during the larval life cycle, etc.) will be taken into account through close collaboration, within the GreyCo project, with a post-doctoral student working specifically on these issues at the Laboratoire d'Océanologie et Géosciences (LOG) in Wimereux;
2. Carrying out simulations, which will incorporate seasonal and interannual variability in hydrodynamic forcing;
3. Sensitivity analysis of results to simulation parameters (frequency of hydrodynamic data, number of particles taken into account, etc.);
4. Synthesizing results using graph theory (e.g. David et al., 2022), and integrating them to model multi-generational water-borne dispersal (e.g. Legrand et al., 2022) for comparison with population genetics data collected as part of the project. In particular, the relative impacts of wind farms (existing and future) and climate change on connectivity patterns will be assessed;
5. Organizing and leading regular meetings with the project members involved. You will be in charge of leading the modelling component of the GreyCo project, in particular by ensuring cross-disciplinary exchanges with the other project partners, in particular with regards to complementary work related to larval behaviour and population genetics of benthic species of interest.

Collaborative work environment

Internal collaborative relationship

Modellers and biologists researchers/engineers of DYNECO unit, in particular from LEBCO but also from DHYSED (Laboratoire Dynamique Hydro-Sédimentaire) who implement the CROCO configuration and produce the hydrodynamic simulations (Hindcast and Forecast) used in this work. Researchers and engineers from the ASIM unit (Adaptation et Santé des Invertébrés Marins), who will contribute to the acquisition of genetic in-situ samples and the study of population genetics.

External collaborative relationship

The main partners in the GreyCo project: LOG in Wimereux for the modelling of biological parameters affecting larval dispersal; ISEM (Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier) for population genetics.

Required education and experience

PhD in physic and/or biology oceanography with strong skills in numerical modelling, defended within the last 3 years.

Required knowledge, skills and characteristics

• Experience in numerical modelling and in using 3D hydrodynamic models
• Strong skills in data analysis
• Proficiency in programming languages for scientific computing (R, Python, Fortran,…)
• Rigorous and autonomous
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in English

Informations utiles

Specific working conditions

Full time position. Possibility of contributing to in-situ sampling campaigns.

What are your benefits?

• We have a teleworking agreement and our staff have 12 comp time days and supra statutory leave.
• We allocate a significant budget to developing skills, through individual or collective training actions.
• We have a CSR policy inspired by the purposes of the institute (sustainable mobility allowance, etc.)

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Job details

Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in marine connectivity modelling (M/F)

Published: 2025-03-31

Application deadline: 2025-04-25 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

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