Researcher M/F Spectral analysis of sea surface salinity

Job Description

Missions

Prepare scientific argumentation for a high resolution salinity satellite mission

Activity

Current satellite measurements of Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) have a spatial resolution on the order of 50 km. A new technology has been developed to achieve a spatial resolution of 10–15 km, and a proposal for a new satellite mission will be submitted to ESA in spring 2027. In this context, the candidate will strengthen the scientific case for the required spatio-temporal resolution to observe the SSS signature of mesoscale structures. He will focus on characterizing the various spatio-temporal scales of SSS variability using two-dimensional spectral analyses. These analyses will be conducted using SSS data simulated by an ocean model in key oceanic regions. From this, he will derive the implications for the satellite's temporal revisit frequency, consistent with the targeted spatial resolution.

Your Profil

Skills

- Satellite remote sensing
- Environmental sciences
- Data analysis and critical interpretation of results
- English fluent
- Autonomy and teamwork skills
- Python / Matlab; LINUX

Your Work Environment

The Laboratoire d'Oceanographie et du Climat – Expérimentation et Approches numériques (LOCEAN), part of Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL), is a joint research laboratory between French CNRS, IRD, Sorbonne Université and Museum national d'histoire naturelle, dedicated mostly to physical and biogeochemical oceanographic research and the role of the ocean in climate variability. These studies are tackled both by observational and experimental means (oceanographic campaigns, merchant ships, buoys, instrument development, satellite measurements) and by modelling, theoretical and numerical (3-dimension ocean general circulation model). It includes almost two hundred scientists, engineers and technicians, mostly in the Paris area. It carries numerous cruises for scientific research or monitoring purposes, and has also experience in different ocean observing systems, in particular drifters, which it has contributed to develop, as well as gliders and other observing platforms. LOCEAN is actively participating in University teaching and supervision of PhD students. The candidate will join the PROTEO team.
SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) is the first Earth observation satellite mission to carry an L-band interferometric radiometer. Launched at the end of 2009, it has now acquired more than 16 years of data, demonstrating the feasibility of satellite surface salinity measurement and the contribution of interferometric technology. LOCEAN teams have been working on measurement optimization since 1999 and use satellite salinities for scientific purposes. This new type of measurement appeared particularly innovative to characterize tropical instability waves, river plumes, rain signatures, tropical mesoscale ocean structures, signatures related to El Niño events. The work proposed here will be part of projects funded by CNES and European Space Agency aimed at promoting SSS remote sensing.

Constraints and risks

-

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

from about 4000E gross monthly (commensurable with experience)

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

The research professions