Postdoctoral Researcher in Physics-Informed Artificial Intelligence for Hydrogeological Modeling - 13-month fixed-term contract - IMT Mines Alès

Come and join IMT Mines Alès, a prestigious institution ranked among the best engineering schools nationally and globally, located in Alès, a human-sized city, the capital of the Cévennes, where the quality of life is highly appreciated by its inhabitants.

Founded in 1843, IMT Mines Alès currently has 1400 students (including 250 international students) and 380 staff members. The school has 3 high-level scientific and technological research and teaching centers, working in the fields of materials and civil engineering (C2MA), environment and risks (CREER), artificial intelligence and industrial and digital engineering (CERIS). It has 12 technological platforms and 1600 partner companies. To learn more: https://www.imt-mines-ales.fr

You will be attached to the Research and Teaching Center for Environment and Risks (CREER) at IMT Mines Alès and within the research unit: HSM.

This work is part of the PREV’IA project, which focuses on the knowledge and forecasting of water resources in the Pliocene-Quaternary aquifer of the Roussillon plain, and the Lez spring which supplies drinking water to Montpellier.

Your work will be a continuation of ongoing doctoral research within the UMR HSM (HYTAKE team), focusing on the sustainability of karst water resources (Lez aquifer) supplying a Mediterranean metropolis (Montpellier) in the context of climate change.

Your mission:

• Utilize emerging concepts in "Physics Informed Machine Learning" (PIML) approaches to evaluate the benefits of synergy in hydrogeological modeling: (1) based on a conceptual approach on the one hand, and (2) based on neural networks informed or complemented by physics. The PIML (Physics Informed Machine Learning) approach is developed, with two streams: (i) Physics Informed Architectures (PIA): integration of physical knowledge into the model architecture (hidden layers); and (ii) Physics Informed Loss Functions (PILF): combination of physical modeling (differential equations) and black-box models, merged into the cost function (regularization term). Both methods can be explored. The proposed models can be used to determine the evolution of certain hydrological variables in response to climate change.

You can find more information on the job description below:

https://partage.imt.fr/index.php/s/ANqeAPRfSdBfnof

Minimum education level and/or experience required:

• Doctorate in one of the fields related to hydrogeology, hydrology, or environmental modeling

Required skills, knowledge, and experience:

• Experience in machine learning for modeling complex natural phenomena

• Demonstrated skills in the context of multidisciplinary project(s)

• Real aptitude and experience in organization and teamwork: organizing meetings, planning actions, contributing to the writing of administrative documents

• Good command of scientific English

Additional information:

13-month fixed-term contract under public law - Position open to civil servants & contract employees

Internal information for staff regarding the IMT Management Framework:

• Reference job category: II - P

This position is open to all. IMT Mines Alès is committed to implementing the necessary accommodations for people with disabilities, to ensure an inclusive and accessible work environment. 

Salary: €35,542 gross per year.

Application deadline: 01/11/2026

Indicative anticipated jury date: 23/11/2026

Desired start date: 01/01/2027

It is strongly advised to contact the individuals mentioned below in the "job content" section

Contacts:

Regarding job content:

Anne JOHANNET, Head of the PREV’IA project

Juliette CERCEAU, HSM Referent

Hervé JOURDE (HSM-HYTAKE)

Regarding administrative aspects:

Géraldine BRUNEL, Human Resources Director

So join us and enjoy these many benefits:

• Numerous holidays

• On-site catering

• Public transport costs reimbursed at 75%

• Sustainable mobility package for carpooling or cycling

• Stimulating innovation ecosystem (startups, students, research, companies...)

• Ideal environment to pursue your passions (sea/mountains nearby)