ASSESSING THE ABILITY OF SOIL MODELS TO REPRODUCE LONG-TERM EXPERIMENTS: A MULTI-MODEL APPROACH (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

Within the framework of the ALAMOD project funded by the PEPR FairCarbon program, we are offering a 24-month postdoctoral position (renewable). The main scientific objectives and associated tasks of the position aim to improve understanding of soil carbon dynamics by comparing model outputs with the database developed within the ALAMOD project on ecosystem carbon stock changes. The objective is to develop a multi-model approach to better understand the uncertainties associated with the structure of different models.

Activity

The recruited postdoctoral researcher will initially be responsible for developing R or Python scripts to simultaneously run a set of pre-identified models (AMG, RothC, Century, etc.), and then perform simulations for the sites presented in the recent data paper published by Fujisaki et al., (2026). The postdoctoral researcher will primarily be responsible for coordinating and leading a working group involving modelers interested in structural uncertainty issues, with the aim of conducting a model intercomparison focused on evaluating the ability of models to represent variations in soil carbon stocks across these sites. We will also seek to parameterize the models using Bayesian statistical approaches in order to understand how observation-constrained parameterization may improve the predictive capabilities of the considered models.

Your Profil

Skills

We are looking for a candidate holding a PhD in climate science, agronomy, biogeochemistry, or functional ecology, with a strong interest in modeling. Experience in model-data comparison and relational databases would be appreciated, and programming skills are required (R, Python, or Fortran). The candidate should have demonstrated the ability to communicate scientific results through publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences.

Your Work Environment

management practices compatible with production objectives is recognized as an important strategy for climate change mitigation. However, models simulating soil carbon stock dynamics still require significant improvements. The ALAMOD project aims to capitalize on all available data documenting soil carbon stock changes to create an unprecedented tool for model evaluation and soil carbon stock prediction. This dataset will be used to evaluate the different models used and developed by the French scientific community. The results of this comparison will help determine the strengths and limitations of the different approaches and lay the foundations for a new generation of models capable of accurately simulating soil carbon stock changes. These findings will help clarify the potential contribution of grassland ecosystems to achieving France's target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Since to 3 132,83€ brut

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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