Missions

(i) Project background. - This post-doc contract is part of the ANR research project entitled TRANSPORTUS. The Trans-Portus project aims to develop an innovative approach based on a conceptual change in the port model. Traditionally, a harbour is defined as a combination of two components, the container (interface harbour structures) and the content (volume of sediment, water, sea level), as well as the facilities for loading/unloading, storage and management. The originality of this project lies in its attempt to transpicere (i.e. to see through) the harbour object, by recreating the conceptual link between its two components before reintegrating them into their geographical context (material supply area, coastal landscapes, etc.). To achieve this, Trans-Portus relies on a transdisciplinary consortium and on a study at nested scales, which will make it possible to answer outstanding questions concerning their technical, architectural and environmental history. The geohistorical approach will enable us to reconstruct the spatiality of ancient harbours in relation to their landscape (retail trade logic, environmental potential/constraints, etc.) and the environmental trajectories of landscapes after development. The historical approach is based on a re-reading of archaeological data and ancient texts. The geoarchaeological approach is based on deep sediment archives cored in both structures and basin infilled studied at very high chronostratigraphic resolution. In order to overcome methodological obstacles, new transfers of knowledge between the human sciences and the geosciences will be devised and implemented. The overarching objectives of Trans-Portus are to: (1) restore the particular logistical constraints imposed on builders and (2) the temporal variability of these archaeological objects in all their complexity (4D modeling).
Website link: https://live.unistra.fr/en/research/landscape-dynamics-geoarchaeology-quaternary/projects/in-the-spotlight/projet-trans-portus

(ii) Objectives of the study. - This study will focus on the northern mole of Portus. Part of this structure is still visible today south of Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Fiumicino. However, the westernmost part is no longer visible. Several reasons have certainly contributed to its disappearance (more fragile architecture, a part most exposed to weather and sea conditions, erosion, underwater landslides, or subsidence). This study will help to better assess the role of natural subsidence and the role of subsidence triggered by the construction of the Portus offshore mole. The aim is to characterise the deposits under and near the pier and to estimate the rate of subsidence due to compaction associated with the port structure.

Activités

- Processing spatial data (old maps, satellite images, etc.) to identify core sampling areas;
- Planning and conducting drillings and CPTu testings in the Tiber Delta, Italy;
- Analysing penetrometric data;
- Analysing cores using sedimentological, geotechnical and palaeoenvironmental techniques (porosity, geotechnical characteristics, magnetic susceptibility, pOSL, grain size, particle morphology);
- Coordinating complementary palaeoenvironmental analyses (ostracods/malacofauna, dating);
- Work closely with other members of the research group (geoarchaeologists, geophysicists, archaeologists) and in particular with a PhD student working on the structure of the north mole of Portus at the University of Lyon 2;
- Present results at national and international seminars and conferences;
- Write a report and an article.

Compétences

The following skills will be highly valued in candidates:
- PhD in geography or geology;
- Skills in supervising drillings and analysing sediment cores;
- Skills in GIS (Geographic Information System) tools for analyses and mapping;
- Skills in sedimentology and palaeoenvironmental analysis techniques in coastal environments, and in determining geotechnical properties in river-marine interface environments;
- Knowledges about archaeological techniques and issues;
- Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and collaborate with national and international collaborators;
- Good knowledge of French (B2) and English (B2) as well as basic Italian would be appreciated;
- Driving licence is also an important asset for the numerous field trips.

Contexte de travail

The candidate will be based at the Laboratoire Image Ville Environnement (LIVE UMR-7362 UNISTRA-CNRS-ENGEES) located at the Faculty of Geography and Planning at 3, rue de l'Argonne in Strasbourg. LIVE conducts multidisciplinary research on urban, anthropised environments and hydrosystems, with a view to understanding the impact of human activities on socio-ecosystems (geographers, geomorphologists, hydrologists, climatologists, botanists).
The site is ideally located in the heart of the Strasbourg metropolitan area in a pleasant student neighbourhood, close to many small restaurants and urban parks (Orangerie, botanical garden, Vauban park).
- Nearby restaurants with subsidised rates.
- 75% of transport costs covered.
- Employee benefits
- Possibility of teleworking in accordance with the established protocol.
- Numerous activities are offered to staff at the Esplanade site by the CAES and SPACS. In addition, the candidate will have access to a wide range of training courses offered by the supervisory authorities.

Contraintes et risques

As the candidate will be based in Strasbourg, he or she will be required to carry out several field in Fiumicino, Italy, and to comply with safety instructions for handling core drilling equipment.

Informations complémentaires

Main contact: Ferréol Salomon, CNRS Reseacher at the LIVE