RESEARCHER PROFILE: PhD/ R1: First stage Researcher
RESEARCH FIELD(S)1: Geosciences
MAIN SUB RESEARCH FIELD OR DISCIPLINES1: Physics
JOB /OFFER DESCRIPTION
1. Scientific background
Located at the interface between the continent and the ocean, reef lagoons are subject to the dual constraints of terrigenous inputs and oceanic inflows controlled by the coral reef. Understanding the role of this barrier reef in the distribution of terrigenous and oceanic pollution is a major challenge for the preservation of these emblematic ecosystems in the French overseas territories.
It is on one of these areas, a biodiversity hot spot, that we propose to focus the thesis we are submitting here: the lagoon on the island of Mayotte. This exceptional ecosystem has become a receptacle for ever-increasing anthropogenic pollution. Plastic pollution is a blatant (and visible) example of this. However, the origin of such pollution is not obvious. An origin linked to local practices seems clearly probable, but the hydrodynamic circulation conditioned by the barrier reef also seems likely to accumulate plastics and microplastics from the ocean. The relative contribution of these two sources is as yet unknown.
2. Objectives:
Beyond the specific question: what is the origin of plastic pollution in the Mayotte lagoon, this subject aims to answer a broader question: what role does the coral reef play in the accumulation of plastic pollution in lagoons? The question is an important one, since this study proposes nothing other than to answer the question of who is responsible for the health of the lagoon: in addition to ‘internal’ responsibility (anthropogenic in Mayotte), there is also ‘external’ responsibility, the particular status of which (problematic identification of those responsible) needs to be better defined.
This thesis project therefore addresses a major contemporary issue, that of social relations to waste and the law, from a dual perspective of waste prevention and management on the one hand, and protection of the marine environment on the other, in a constrained context (in this case, the island).
In the specific case of Mayotte, this thesis will make it possible to deduce the trajectories of plastics and to draw up impact risk maps, as well as to determine the origin and causes of this pollution, the perceptions of the population about it in relation to the lagoon and the implementation of the applicable law by the various players: the State, local elected representatives, professional players and others.
3. Methodology:
To answer such questions, and this is the originality of the proposal, we propose an approach combining the physics of the trajectories of plastic (and plastics) and a social approach (diagnosis of practices, local participation in collection campaigns and identification of origins - particularly for microplastics -).
The physical approach will make it possible to define the trajectories of plastic pollution and to quantify the relative share of each source: ‘internal’ or ‘external’, and to draw up risk maps. Such a study will be based on a numerical model of the hydrodynamic circulation of the study area, which the student will refine (semester 1), then on Lagrangian modelling of plastic trajectories within the lagoon and the definition of risk zones, taking into account the effects of turbulence on the vertical distribution of plastic (semester 2).
The results will be compared with in situ data on plastics and microplastics in the lagoon, in particular from the Plasma project (by C. Chevalier and M. Leborgne, funded by the OFB). One way of better ‘calibrating’ the model in the field will also be to compare the risk maps with the usage expertise of lagoon stakeholders (divers and fishermen in particular) on the one hand, and island residents on the other (semester 3).
The sociological approach will enable us to understand the practices that generate such waste (semester 4). Statistical and GIS processing will focus on cross-referencing oceanographic and sociological variables (semester 5).
TYPE OF CONTRACT: TEMPORARY / JOB STATUS: FULL TIME / HOURS PER WEEK: 39
APPLICATION: 01/06/2025 09:00
ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/10/2025
ENVISAGED DURATION: 36 months
JOB NOT FUNDED THROUGH AN EU RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME
WORK LOCATION(S): MIO, campus de Luminy, avenue de Luminy, 13009 Marseille, France
WHAT WE OFFER:
Salary – PHD Degree formation
Additional information: The Euraxess Center of Aix-Marseille Université informs foreign visiting professors, researchers, postdoc and PhD candidates about the administrative steps to be undertaken prior to arrival at AMU and the various practical formalities to be completed once in France: visas and entry requirements, insurance, help finding accommodation, support in opening a bank account, etc. More information on AMU EURAXESS Portal
QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIRED RESEARCH FIELDS, REQUIRED EDUCATION LEVEL, PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, OTHER RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS
Professional and/or technical skills:
The candidate should have expertise in physics and numerical modelling and in oceanography, as the doctoral school will be in environmental sciences.
They should be familiar with matlab, python and, if possible, Fortran.
They should have experience of working on a computing server.
Cross-disciplinary skills:
He/she must also have field experience and good interpersonal skills in order to be able to carry out the social surveys expected as part of this project. Having had courses in sociology and statistical skills will be an asset.
Soft skills: Autonomy, Teamwork, Analytical and critical thinking, Listening and observing
REQUESTED DOCUMENTS OF APPLICATION, ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, SELECTION PROCESS
Master degree or equivalent
HOW TO APPLY: [email protected]
