Master's internship: Integrated modelling of offshore wind (F/M/X)

Offshore wind development requires approaches that can assess its effects on marine ecosystem functioning and the ecosystem services they provide. These effects occur at several scales, from local physical changes near infrastructure to ecosystem consequences at regional scale. It is therefore essential to consider the entire chain of impacts, from physical processes to ecosystems and then to human activities.

To identify the most relevant approach, the work will draw on the findings of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea's WKIMORE workshop, dedicated to characterising integrated ecological models applied to offshore wind. It will also include approaches developed in other contexts, such as offshore oil and gas installations, assessing their transferability to offshore wind. The aim is to propose a new integrated modelling framework.

Missions

How can changes in the marine environment be linked to ecosystem responses in the context of offshore wind development? This internship offers the opportunity to test an integrated modelling framework.

The work will draw on models used by the scientific community (CROCO, ERSEM, Ecopath with Ecosim...), while exploring new ways to link physical, biogeochemical and ecological processes. The work is organised into four stages:

1. Explore and compare existing approaches (1.5 months): critically review modelling frameworks for the environmental impacts of offshore wind; compare processes, scales, data requirements and indicators; identify coupling opportunities and methodological challenges.
2. Design an integrated modelling architecture (1.5 months): propose a strategy for coupling physical, biogeochemical and ecosystem models; define exchange variables and key mechanisms linking environmental changes to ecosystem responses.
3. Develop and test a simplified demonstrator (2 months): build an initial model to test component dynamics and their couplings. This numerical laboratory will allow different approaches to be explored, their performance assessed and their limitations identified.
4. Communicate results and outline future directions (1 month): write a scientific report presenting the demonstrator and lessons learned from testing; propose a roadmap towards an integrated framework for assessing offshore wind impacts from local to regional scales in the North Sea.

Required Skills

Education

• Final-year Master's or engineering student in environmental/marine/fisheries modelling or bioinformatics.

Specific knowledge

• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, C++).
• Familiarity with UNIX and Vibe Coding.
• Numerical and mechanistic environmental modelling.

Would be a +

• Multidisciplinary interest: physics, geochemistry, ecology.
• Marine ecology and ecosystem functioning.

Work experience

Professional qualities

• Critical thinking and synthesis skills.
• Ability to formalise and test a modelling framework.

Modalités de candidature

Starting date: 01 February 2027

In accordance with regulations, all other things being equal, priority will be given to people with disabilities.

• Applications must include a CV and a cover letter.
• If the candidate is being seconded by a member of France Energies Marines, the application must include confirmation of the current employer's agreement.