Post-Doctorate In Physical Oceanography Development Of Adcp Data Processing Methods For Turbulence Characterization M - F H/F - Ifremer

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www.ifremer.frDeadline for applications : 22/08/2025

Within the Research and Technological Development unit, the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory (LHyMar) contributes through its work to the improvement of knowledge on the evaluation of loading on structures at SEA and their dynamic response, considering linear and non-linear approaches.

In the field of hydrodynamics, the main focus is on the modeling of fluid/structure interactions and induced behavior through tank tests, in situ measurements interpretation or numerical simulations. In this context, the laboratory is a partner in the Tidal-Race project, led by HydroQuest, which aims to support the development of a pilot farm of 6 tidal turbines (FloWatt project), as well as to evaluate the energy potential of the Raz Blanchard for large-scale sustainable commercial exploitation.

The laboratory is bi-located in Brest and Boulogne/mer, and the position is to BE filled in Brest.

Working in the LHyMar laboratory, the post-doctoral fellow reports directly to the laboratory manager. He/she will participate in the evaluation and development of methods for the characterization of turbulence from ADCP measurement data for resource assessment and tidal turbine design.

General areas of responsibility

Based on data from 4- and 8-beam ADCP measurements previously obtained as part of various projects (Carnot Turbulence, Vertilab joint laboratory, etc.), the post-doctoral fellow will develop an analysis toolbox to accurately calculate the characteristics of tidal currents (mean speed, orbital swell component, turbulence, etc.). Methods identified in the literature will BE applied and innovative methods will BE developed in order to help developers and modelers assessing the power potential and design basis of future tidal turbine farms in Raz-Blanchard.

Principal activities

The post-doctorate fellow will BE responsible for :

1/ Identification of the input parameters necessary for numerical models used to design tidal turbines (Utide, Turbsim, URANS ALM 2D & RANS 3D, etc.).

2/ Evaluation of the various methods of turbulence estimation using ADCP measurements and the associated uncertainties, in particular by comparing multi-beam processing methods with conventional methods.

3/ Development and validation of analysis codes in Python to analyze ADCP data and estimation of current and turbulence parameters (TKE, TIP50, TIP95, Reynolds tensor, anisotropy, shear, etc.)

4/ Writing of documentation to enable potential users to use this toolbox.

5/ Contribution to improve the estimation of surface waves in the presence of current and the separation of the wave component from the tidal current.

6/ Publication of results in scientific journals.

Collaborative work environment
- Internal collaborative relationship
- Working in the LHyMar laboratory, he/she will BE in close contact with the team working on the Tidal-Race project, as well as with the hydrodynamics and the metocean research teams.
- External collaborative relationship
- As part of collaborative projects, he/she will liaise with the academic and industrial partners of the Tidal-Race project.

Specific working conditions
- 18 months contract.
- Full-time job, possible national and international travel to attend workshops and conferences.

- PhD in fluid mechanics or oceanography, defended within the last 3 years...
- Experience in turbulence characterization and in situ current data processing.

Required knowledge, skills and characteristics
- Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of hydrodynamics and turbulent flows.
- Knowledge of experimental data processing and uncertainty calculation.
- Expertise in in-situ measurements.
- Computer languages for data manipulation and processing (Python, Matlab).
- Fluency in reading and writing English.
- Personal qualities
- Self-motivated.
- Thoroughness.
- Ability to work in a team.
- Organizational skills.
- Analytical and summarizing skills.