Agency: French National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA)
Location: Grassland Ecosystem Research Unit (UREP), Clermont-Ferrand, France (website:  https://www1.clermont.inra.fr/urep)
Duration: 18 months
Job description and specifications: INRA seeks talented computer engineering postdoctoral scientists to advance in strategic research fields. Two full-time positions are offered for the execution of activities focused on the assessment of the vulnerability of Auvergne region of France to climate changes. Both positions will contribute a project funded by the region Auvergne (Bourse recherche filière Vul’Clim) aiming to advance our understanding on the vulnerability of the regional territory to climate changes.
The INRA UREP team performs studies by a combination of long-term observations, experiments and modelling of managed grasslands for livestock farming. The group has a wide ranging expertise in this area and has developed numerical models, which are being used for understanding climate change impacts on grassland systems and feedbacks to the atmosphere in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. PaSim is a detailed mechanistic model of grassland ecosystems that simulates water and energy balance, carbon and nitrogen cycles, grassland productivity, meat and milk production from grazing animals. Grassland management is also simulated, which includes cutting, fertilization and irrigation options. Climate change-related risks are analysed for an ensemble of emission scenarios, climate models and downscaling methods using an array of statistical methods.
Within Vul’Clim, INRA UREP develops model-based vulnerability analysis approaches for a detailed assessment of climate change impacts at regional scale. The results of the project will contribute to analyze the vulnerabilities of the territory of region Auvergne, in interaction with local stakeholders from a verity of domains (cluster of eco-enterprises).
The two post-doctoral scientists will be supervised by three scientific officers: Raphaël Martin (computer scientist), Gianni Bellocchi (modeller) and Pascal Carrère (biologist).
The first postdoctoral scientist will study the changes of scales (upscaling versus downscaling) by varying the granularity of the data available at a given scale (e.g. supplied from global scenarios) to let them being exploited at another scale (e.g. at high-resolution pixels). Data being treated mainly include climate, soil and management. Climate data, in particular will be derived from global climate model projections according to given scenarios. Knowledge in climatology is presupposed or at least helpful. The scientist will refer to the NetCDF (Network Common Data Form) binary format of data, as this format is widely used in the communities of meteorology and climatology. Moreover, a large set of libraries are available to let this format interface with languages such as Java, C++, R and FORTRAN.
For the second position, the main objective is to develop a regional impact assessment framework (in Java or C++) linking modelling tools to entry data and outputs. A variety of components will be developed:
– A data-entry component to manage data at different spatial resolutions (global versus local scales), including automatic computation of basic indices as well as gap-filling and quality check on input data (this component will be built upon in parallel with the activities of the first post-doctoral programme).
– A simulation kernel with the model(s) to be used.
– An output data-managing device to represent results as maps and integrated indices.
Qualifications: Eligible applicants have academic qualification in computer science corresponding to a PhD. A successful applicant will be creative, motivated, and capable of working well both independently and cooperatively within an interdisciplinary group. Proficiency in programming includes Java, C++, R and FORTRAN. Professional experience in the domain of the job description is an added value. Fluency in English is desirable. Knowledge of French is also desirable for non-French applicants.
How to apply: Electronically submit a resume highlighting personal achievements (including publications, patents, production, etc.) and a statement of research interests to Raphaël Martin, Gianni Bellocchi and Pascal Carrère.
Gross monthly salary: € 2310.52
Last date to apply: ASAP, before January 31, 2013
Early start: February 1, 2014
Contact:
Raphaël Martin
E-mail: raphael.martin@clermont.inra.fr (preferred)
Phone: 0033-4-73624872
Gianni Bellocchi
E-mail: gianni.bellocchi@clermont.inra.fr (preferred)
Phone: 0033-4-73624866
Pascal Carrère
E-mail: pascal.carrere@clermont.inra.fr (preferred)
Phone: 0033-4-73624435