Bordeaux INP

Bordeaux INP is a leading French higher education and research institution dedicated to engineering and applied sciences. As part of the national network of “Instituts Nationaux Polytechniques”, it brings together several engineering schools and research laboratories with strong expertise in science, technology, and innovation.

The PhD will be hosted at ENSEGID (École Nationale Supérieure en Environnement, Géoressources et Ingénierie du Développement durable), one of Bordeaux INP’s engineering schools specializing in earth sciences and environmental engineering. ENSEGID provides an interdisciplinary research environment focused on sustainable management of natural resources, environmental systems, and georesources.

Homepage: https://ensegid.bordeaux-inp.fr/fr/international-student-environmental-and-geological-sciences

Mountain rivers in the Pyrenees are currently undergoing rapid morphological changes driven by the combined effects of climate change (shifts in hydrological regimes, reduced snow contribution) and historical anthropogenic pressures (hydropower developments, past sediment extraction, land cover changes). These changes strongly affect sediment dynamics, with implications for river continuity, infrastructure stability, aquatic ecosystems, and natural hazard management.

We are seeking applications for a PhD position aiming to reconstruct and model sediment transport trajectories in several mountain catchments in southwestern France. The project will combine the analysis of historical sediment transport data, field observations, and the development of a spatially distributed sediment transport model (Python).

The PhD candidate will work on (i) reconstructing multi-decadal sediment fluxes, (ii) identifying hydroclimatic and anthropogenic controls, and (iii) simulating future trajectories under climate change scenarios. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with hydropower operators, engineering companies, and public river management institutions, ensuring both strong scientific grounding and operational relevance.

The PhD will be based at ENSEGID (Engineering school in geosciences, Bordeaux INP) and supervised by Sophie Leleu and Anne-Laure Argentin. The candidate will benefit from an interdisciplinary research environment combining geomorphology, hydrology, and sedimentology, with opportunities for fieldwork in mountain environments.

The position is open to all qualified candidates irrespective of nationality. The position is funded for 3 years starting October 1, 2026 through a doctoral contract (approximately 2,000–2,100 € gross/month, standard French conditions).

To apply, please contact aargentin@bordeaux-inp.fr with the subject line “SED-PyrO PhD” and provide the following:

- A one-page cover letter explaining your interest in the project and your career goals
- A CV and copies of academic transcripts (unofficial versions are acceptable at this stage)

Application deadline: 23 May

Please note that this is the first step in the application process. The pre-selected candidates will then need to apply formally to the doctoral school at Bordeaux INP before the 27 May, and interviews will be conducted with shortlisted candidates.