Research engineer in the experimental study of wind-wave interactions (H/F)– réf : 928

Centrale Nantes is a leading engineering school that graduates engineers, masters students and doctoral candidates from academic programs based on the most up-to-date developments in science and technology and the best practices in management.

As a member of the Écoles Centrales Group (Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes and Paris), our school provides top-quality teaching for highly selected students.

A public institution under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Centrale Nantes has more than 2,250 students, 500 employees and 600 part-time staff.

The person recruited will be attached to the Laboratoire de recherche en Hydrodynamique, Energétique et Environnement Atmosphérique (LHEEA), a CNRS joint research unit under 2 supervisory bodies: Ecole Centrale de Nantes and CNRS.

You will join the 15-member DAUC (Dynamique de l'Atmosphère Urbaine et Côtière) team.

As part of the ANR PRAMAG project (https://research.ec-nantes.fr/en/academic-projects/pramag-profils-atmospheriques-par-mer-agitee?l=1), you will be responsible for setting up and monitoring experimental field measurement campaigns. You will also be involved in coordinating the various experiments carried out. This project concerns the study of atmospheric conditions at the air-sea interface, with a particular focus on the influence of swell on the lower atmosphere. It is based on an innovative field campaign aimed at simultaneously measuring mean velocity profiles, turbulence parameters, temperature profiles and flows at the air-sea interface, using technologies such as LiDAR, floating platforms and drones. In collaboration with three French partners, PRAMAG aims to better understand and model the micro-scale dynamic coupling between wind and waves.

Your activities will include:

• Participate in the set-up, monitoring and coordination of the PRAMAG field experiment, including: understanding the set of instruments used and their operating conditions (LiDAR, flux, temperature and humidity profiles), learning how to deploy and use the instruments, and data recovery,

• Coordinate the processing of data from the various instruments, including building and sharing the final database according to FAIR principles, including: data conditioning, installation and supervision and filtering, interpolation on a common temporal grid, application of air-sea flux estimation methods, diagnosis of turbulence spectral characteristics,

• Carrying out and coordinating data analysis between wind, temperature and flux measurements, including collecting all data and obtaining an overview of vertical profiles of wind, temperature and humidity, dynamic stability of the boundary layer, in conjunction with wave characteristics and surface fluxes,

• Share results in scientific papers and conferences, including: analysis of relationships between wind profile, stability and wave characteristics.

Technical skills:

• Atmospheric science or fluid mechanics (expert)

• Data processing (mastery)

• Turbulence (mastery)

• In situ observation (experience)

• English (C2 level)

Organizational skills:

• Organizational capacity for data management

• Ability to communicate work (developments and results)

• Analytical and synthesizing skills

• Autonomy and taking initiative

Adaptability:

• Adaptability to field constraints (hazards)

Interpersonal & social skills:

• Ability to work in a team

• Drafting of authorization requests

Level required: PhD-level training or experience in fluid mechanics, atmospheric science, oceanography or related subject.

Nature of position

• 24-month fixed-term contract

• Position open to contract and permanent staff

• Category A - Research Engineer

• Full-time position - based in Nantes

• Flexible working hours

• Flexible work cycles (possibility of working 4.5 days)

• RTT + additional leave

• Travel to partners required

• Free parking

• 75% transport reimbursement

• Sustainable mobility bonus (if cycling or car-pooling)

Remuneration: in line with state civil service pay scales

Position to be filled : October 2025

This advert refers to the terms “candidate”, ‘engineer’, “manager”, etc. These designations are to be considered beyond gender and are to be taken in both the feminine and masculine genders.

Centrale de Nantes is committed to equality and diversity. In line with our CSR commitments, this job is open to all.