Post-doctoral position on geological porous media M/F

Role: Post-doctoral position on geological porous media M/F
Organization: CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans (ISTO)
Location: Orléans, France
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time (35 hours/week)
Start Date: 1 Aug 2026
Funding: Horizon Europe - ERC (COCONUT project)

Role Overview:
At CNRS-ISTO, the position focuses on the microfluidic investigation of the impact of colloidal transport on two-phase flow in geological porous media. The COCONUT project (funded by the European Research Council, ERC Consolidator Grant) aims to understand how colloids (nanoparticles, viruses, bacteria, micro-nanoplastics, mineral particles, etc.) control multiphase flows (air-water or water-oil) in geological formations. Applications include remediation of aquifers polluted by non-aqueous phases, estimation of nanoplastics in soil, and formation of reactive barriers. The Porous Media Research Group develops cutting-edge research on multi-scale modelling and microfluidic experiments of multiphase flow and reactive transport in geological formations.

Responsibilities:
- Study the parameters controlling the remobilization of fluids trapped by capillary action in the presence of colloidal suspensions in porous media.
- Precisely control and quantify the mechanisms involved at the pore scale using microfluidic experiments and dedicated metrology.
- Bring new insights into the complex interplay between colloid transport and deposition, and permeability reduction.
- Review the literature on theoretical and experimental aspects of two-phase flow in porous media and pore-clogging by the transport of particles.
- Design and perform microfluidic experiments to investigate two-phase flow and the transport of fine particles in porous media.
- Analyse the results and propose new laws for particle attachment/detachment rates and permeability reduction.
- Upscale the processes to larger scales.
- Publish results in high-impact journals and participate in international conferences.
- Participate actively in the Porous Media Research Group daily life.

Requirements and Qualifications:
- PhD with a major in Fluid Dynamics, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, or Colloid and Interface Sciences.
- Preliminary experience in microfluidic experiments.
- Familiarity with metrology techniques (e.g., Particle Image Velocimetry).
- Knowledge of image processing techniques and Computational Fluid Dynamics (e.g., OpenFOAM, Ansys, COMSOL) is a plus.
- Basic level of French.

What They Offer:
- A position within a joint research laboratory between CNRS, the University of Orléans, and BRGM.
- Opportunity to work on a European Research Council (ERC) funded project.
- Access to cutting-edge research facilities and worldwide recognized expertise in multi-scale modelling and microfluidic experiments.
- Full-time employment (35 hours/week).

Application Instructions:
To apply, send a CV, a cover letter, and one or two recommendation letters.
Application Deadline: 27 Jun 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)
Apply via: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR7327-MARROU0-079/Default.aspx