Are you passionate about climate change, groundwater systems, and environmental research? A fully funded PhD position in Hydrogeology is now open in France to investigate the impact of global change on groundwater temperature. This exciting opportunity combines fieldwork, data analysis, and computational modeling to explore how climate and human activity influence thermal regimes in aquifers.
🌍 PhD Overview: Groundwater Temperature & Global Change
- Host Institutions: Université de Rennes 1 (Géosciences Rennes, CNRS) and BRGM (French Geological Survey)
- Location: Rennes, France & BRGM, Orléans
- Start Date: Expected in late 2025 (September/October)
- Duration: 3 years
- Funding: Fully funded (tuition + monthly stipend of ~€1,500–€2,000 + research expenses)
🔬 Research Focus:
The PhD research aims to:
- Characterize thermal regimes in aquifers across France.
- Understand how climate change (e.g., rising temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities (e.g., land use, groundwater extraction) affect groundwater temperatures.
- Study heat transport mechanisms—both conductive (from surface warming) and advective (from groundwater flow).
- Analyze field data from observatory networks like H+.
- Develop predictive hydrothermal models using advanced software (e.g., DFN.lab).
The research may be linked to the ERC-funded CONCRETER project, which explores groundwater flow controls on subsurface thermal regimes, led by Dr. Maria Klepikova.
🧪 Methodologies & Tools:
- Fieldwork including temperature profiling in boreholes.
- Use of Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) and other cutting-edge thermal mapping tools.
- Numerical modeling and simulations with Python, MATLAB, R, or domain-specific platforms.
- Regional scaling from crystalline aquifers in Brittany to sedimentary and karst systems elsewhere in France.
🎓 Eligibility Criteria:
- Required Degree: Master’s in Hydrogeology, Geosciences, Environmental Science, or related fields.
- Technical Skills: Experience with data analysis, numerical modeling, and programming (Python, MATLAB, R).
- Language: Proficiency in English is required.
👨🏫 Supervisors & Research Environment:
You will join a world-renowned hydrogeology group at Université de Rennes 1, with ~15 permanent researchers working at the intersection of groundwater science, climate change, and environmental modeling.
Potential Supervisors:
- Dr. Maria Klepikova – Hydrogeologist & thermal transport expert
📧 maria.klepikova@univ-rennes1.fr - Dr. Jean-Christophe Maréchal – BRGM, expert in groundwater flow and heat transport
📧 jc.marechal@brgm.fr - Prof. Philippe Davy – Specialist in fracture networks and modeling
- Prof. Olivier Bour – Groundwater fluxes expert
📩 How to Apply:
To apply, email your application to:
📧 maria.klepikova@univ-rennes1.fr and jc.marechal@brgm.fr
Required Documents:
- Updated CV
- Motivation letter
- Academic transcripts
- 2–3 academic references (including Master’s thesis supervisor)
🌱 Why This Matters:
Understanding groundwater temperature dynamics is vital for predicting water quality, ecosystem health, and the future of sustainable water use under climate change. This PhD offers a rare opportunity to contribute to high-impact environmental research at the heart of Europe’s hydrogeological innovation.