This CIFRE thesis presents a unique chance to contribute to the crucial fields of energy transition and safety in renewable energy operations. Through this opportunity, researchers will have the platform to make significant contributions towards enhancing operational efficiency and safety standards within the renewable energy sector, leveraging GRDF’s commitment to innovation, environmental sustainability, and community safety.
The scientific challenges underpinning this behavioral transformation could particularly include:
- Challenge 1: Mapping the competencies and security gaps at methanization sites (distance from industrial levels) and characterizing the psycho-social profiles of farmers based on this mapping.
- Challenge 2: Understanding and identifying psychological, social, and structural locks and barriers related to the agricultural environment that limit the adoption of industrial safety routines by agricultural operators.
- Challenge 3: Developing and evaluating different behavioral change processes to identify those that promote a behavioral transformation towards establishing good safety practices (integrating human factors) and a “safety” culture among methanization unit operators.
Research Focus:
- Mapping: identifying safety competencies and shortcomings in methanization sites.
- Barriers: understanding psychological and environmental hurdles to the adoption of industrial safety routines.
- Behavior change: developing and testing methods to instill good safety practices and a safety culture among operators.
Infos about GRDF:
GRDF, recognized as the premier natural gas distributor in France and Europe since its inception on December 31, 2007, is instrumental in crafting, developing, operating, and maintaining the natural gas distribution network across France. This commitment ensures fair and unbiased access for all suppliers while emphasizing the safety of assets and individuals. With a vast network covering 200,750 km and serving 11 million clients, GRDF promotes natural gas utilization and facilitates the integration of biomethane producers into the network.
In alignment with the energy transition vision, GRDF is dedicated to positioning gas as a pivotal energy source for the future, enhancing relationships with territorial communities and focusing on network modernization. This dedication is mirrored in their latest initiative, a collaborative effort with the Institut Carnot Cognition, aimed at enhancing the safety, efficiency, and professionalism of methanization site operators. The initiative underscores the importance of behavioral change among operators, primarily farmers, to incorporate industrial safety standards, essential for the acceleration of renewable energy adoption.
Profile focus and details:
- Qualifications bonus: A background in psychology, behavioral science, or related fields may be beneficial.
- Skills: Ability to conduct rigorous research, analyze complex data, and engage with operational teams to apply findings.
- Language: Proficiency in English and/or French, with excellent communication skills.
- Remuneration: Competitive, reflective of experience.
The distribution of time between the company and the research laboratory will be as follows:
- 1st year: 80% of the time at GRDF – 20% at the university
- 2nd year: 60% of the time at GRDF – 40% at the university
- 3rd year: 40% of the time at GRDF – 60% of the time at the university
This distribution aims to reconcile the requirement of a technological transfer, the objective of a CIFRE thesis, with the expectation of a contribution to science, which is the very foundation of a doctoral thesis.
