Catherine Truffert

My background

I hold a PhD in geodynamics and defended my thesis at Pierre et Marie Curie University, within the Geology Laboratory of the École Normale Supérieure. My research combined geophysics, structural geology, and petrology to address a major scientific challenge: the mechanisms and consequences of the convergence between the African and European plates in the eastern Mediterranean.

Through field observations in Crete, I reconstructed the pressure-temperature path of metamorphic rocks involved in subduction, tracing their evolution during burial. Simultaneously, the analysis of seismic data (vertical refraction and reflection using two vessels) allowed me to model a subduction zone where the African plate drags a significant portion of its sedimentary pile, with Messinian evaporites (6 Ma) playing a key role as a detachment surface. This work revealed that only post-6 Ma sediments accrete at the convergence front, while the rest subducts with the plate.

Although this research was fundamental, it unexpectedly gained relevance decades later: subsequent seismotectonic studies and seismic campaigns attracted the interest of companies like Chevron, which sought exploration permits for natural gas off the coast of Crete.

Today, I lead IRIS Instruments, a subsidiary of the BRGM (French Geological Survey), co-owned by the Japanese group OYO Corporation. Our company designs and manufactures geophysical instruments for subsurface exploration, combining scientific expertise and technological innovation. At the helm of a multidisciplinary team—comprising electronics engineers and geophysicists, including three PhD holders—I foster continuous dialogue between customer needs, technical constraints, and scientific advancements. My role is to ensure the sustainability of the company and the fulfillment of its employees, while identifying growth opportunities (new markets, partnerships, innovations).

I make strategic decisions, such as doubling the company’s floor space, and report to shareholders (BRGM and OYO). My goal is also to cultivate a corporate culture aligned with its values, while anticipating and managing risks inherent to a global niche sector.

My vision of the role of ambassador

My commitment as a PhD ambassador stems from a simple observation: in France, the PhD remains undervalued in France outside academia, and too many young talents hesitate to pursue this path, convinced it will hinder their professional integration. Yet, the PhD is a school of resilience and innovation. It shapes minds capable of pushing beyond the state of the art, navigating uncertainty, and turning challenges into opportunities.

PhD holders are not dreamers but bold and strategic thinkers: their ability to break down silos between disciplines and innovate is a major asset for businesses, far beyond R&D. In Germany, the private sector is a key employer of PhD holders; in France, they represent only 13% of the R&D workforce. This lag comes at a high cost: without innovation, our industries lose competitiveness.

My mission? To demystify the PhD and convince companies, industries, and employer federations to:

• Recruit PhD holders to diversify their teams and drive innovation.
• Establish internal programs allowing engineers to pursue a PhD within the company.

PhD holders - whether in "hard" sciences or sociology - bring a panoramic vision and groundbreaking solutions, essential for anticipating obstacles (co-construction, public dialogue) or innovating across diverse sectors. For example, understanding a population’s needs and cultural codes is crucial before implementing any infrastructure (roads, power plants, mines, etc.).

The challenge is twofold: restore confidence in young talents and redefine the role of the PhD in French industry, ensuring our companies remain competitive and bold.