Ph.D. Candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Digital Sciences, Architectural Heritage, and Archaeology (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The PhD work is central to the KARMA project (funded by the MITI CNRS 80 PRIME program) and consists of conducting an integrated structural and mechanical study of the eastern pier of the 9th pylon at the Karnak archaeological site (Egypt).
To guide the future restoration of the eastern pier of the 9th pylon at Karnak, the activities within this interdisciplinary research project—which bridges engineering sciences and the humanities and social sciences—are based on three main areas of focus:
• Fieldwork and data acquisition (in situ): The Ph.D. student will actively participate in survey campaigns in Luxor-Karnak (Egypt). They will contribute to the collection of geometric data (photogrammetry, laser scanning) and physical data (acoustics, ultrasound, ground-penetrating radar) to document the monument's current condition and enable an initial assessment.
• Data processing and integration (Laboratory): A major part of the work involves methodological innovation. The doctoral student will be required to spatialize and interpret indirect physical signals (acoustics, radar) within a common 3D geometric reference frame. This will involve organizing various datasets (point clouds, physical measurements, archaeological observations) to make them usable by the project's various experts, with the goal of conducting a detailed assessment of this monumental structure.
Mechanical modeling and decision support: The project will culminate in a simulation phase to ensure the safety of the intervention on the monument. It will develop mechanical models (notably using the discrete element method) informed by field data collected during the diagnostic phases. This work will enable the definition of intervention scenarios to simulate various hypotheses and the phasing of operations involving partial dismantling, hollowing out, and consolidation. The results will directly contribute to the development of the scientific specifications for the restoration and reconstruction of the pylon.

Your Work Environment

The doctoral student will join the KARMA project, which is based on an interdisciplinary approach that brings together the complementary expertise of the CFEETK (archaeology and heritage), the MAP (digital surveying and data structuring), the LMA and the CICRP (non-destructive physical measurements and characterization of heritage materials), as well as the LMGC (mechanical modeling and simulation). The student will be required to travel between the various laboratories mentioned and undertake several field assignments at the temple in Egypt.
The student will be based at MAP (CJA Campus) and LMA (Château-Gombert Site) in Marseille and will have a workspace within both laboratories.

Constraints and risks

Overseas assignments.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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