Researcher in Metrological Validation of Novel Fiber-Optic Environmental Sensing Approaches (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the European SENSEI Project (https://senseiproject.eu/), which aims to develop new photonic approaches to utilize fiber-optic infrastructure as distributed sensors for environmental observation.

Activity

Within this framework, the postdoctorate will focus primarily on the experimental and metrological validation of the novel photonic approaches developed in the SENSEI project.
The work will involve evaluating the performance of these new methods under real-world observation conditions, leveraging natural or anthropogenic environmental signals with well-known characteristics. These signals may include:
• Earthquakes
• Shipping noise
• Marine biological signals, particularly those produced by cetaceans
• Wave and swell dynamics
• Movement of water masses via their thermal signatures
The objective is to use these natural sources as physical references to test the sensitivity, stability, and instrumental limits of the new photonic approaches. Experiments may be conducted on various types of fiber-optic infrastructure, including terrestrial or submarine cables, depending on the targeted metrological performance and available experimental configurations.

The postdoctoral researcher will carry out the following tasks:
• Design and implementation of in situ metrological validation protocols for novel photonic approaches.
• Analysis and characterization of data acquired from instrumented fiber optics.
• Comparison of observations with reference environmental signals (earthquakes, ship noise, biological signals, waves).
• Evaluation of instrumental performance (sensitivity, bandwidth, stability, noise).
• Development of signal processing and analysis tools adapted to these new methods.
• Contribution to scientific interactions with European project partners and publication of results.

Your Profil

Skills

• PhD in geophysics, physics, acoustics, signal processing, or a related field.
• Solid experience in data analysis and signal processing.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, Matlab, or equivalent).
• Excellent scientific communication skills in English (oral and written).
• Ability to work in an international collaborative environment.
• Scientific autonomy, rigor, and a sense of initiative.
Desirable Additional Skills
• Experience in Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) or fiber-optic instrumentation.
• Experience in seismology, acoustics, or marine geophysics.
• Experience in big data analysis.
• Knowledge of machine learning applied to signals.

Your Work Environment

The postdoctoral researcher will be recruited under the European SENSEI Project, which aims to exploit existing fiber-optic infrastructures as large-scale sensor platforms for environmental and geophysical monitoring. The project involves several European partners from academic research, metrology, and industry.
The researcher will be based at Géoazur Laboratory, a joint research unit (UMR) affiliated with the CNRS, Université Côte d'Azur, the Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, and the IRD. The laboratory comprises approximately 200 staff members and conducts world-class research in seismology, marine geophysics, geophysical imaging, and environmental observation.
The successful candidate will join a large group working on DAS technologies, including several permanent researchers, postdocs, and PhD students, as well as the "Earthquakes and Cycles" team. The laboratory is located in the Sophia Antipolis technology park, in close proximity to Nice, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Alps.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

3072€ gross according to professional 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

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