Keywords: research scientist, biogeochemist (m/f)
Biogeochemist (M/F)
Reference: W14 - 14 - 078
Publication date: 14/05/2014
Closing date: September 5, 2014
Job description:
Deep-sea ecosystems harbour high biological diversity due to the
variability of their benthic environments. The biodiversity and
dynamics of these ecosystems in their natural state are still poorly
known, although their natural resources are currently being targeted
Ifremer Centre:
for mineral exploitation.
Brittany Centre - Brest
Ifremer’s EEP research unit studies the ecology of deep-sea
Department: Physical
ecosystems using a multidisciplinary approach, with a special focus
Resources and Deep-sea on how environmental factors structure the faunal community. EEP
Ecosystems
seeks to describe deep-sea biodiversity and understand its dynamics
(Département des
with respect to environmental heterogeneity at various spatial and
Ressources physiques et temporal scales, in all types of deep-sea ecosystems. The successful
Ecosystèmes de fond de candidate will contribute to the understanding of the relationships
Mer)
between microorganisms, meiofauna and macrofauna and their
environment. S/he will work on research projects that use a
Research unit: Deep-sea comparative approach for the integrative study of the various
Ecosystems (Unité
biological compartments (micro-, meio- and macrofauna) found in
Etudes des Ecosystèmes chemosynthetic or sedimentary ecosystems.
Profonds) (EEP)
Laboratory: Deep-sea
Main tasks:
environments
(Laboratoire
Environnement Profond) The successful candidate will carry out research to acquire and
disseminate knowledge on the physico-chemical functioning of
(LEP)
deep-sea marine habitats using chemical flux models to qualify and
quantify the biogeochemical processes specific to each ecosystem.
Type of contract:
Full-time permanent
The recruited research scientist will study the energy fluxes that
position
underlie deep-sea ecosystems and the potential sources of stress for
the organisms that live there. Working in close collaboration with
Start date:
EEP ecologists, s/he will help to combine the study of biotic and
1 December 2014
abiotic processes to explore the biogeochemical functioning of the
fluid-seawater interface colonised by macroscopic organisms and
Special conditions:
microorganisms. His/her research will target small spatial scales and
Offshore research
the proximal environment of fauna at the interface between fluids
cruises
(hot or cold) and seawater (2-100°C for hydrothermal fluids) or in
the interstitial fluids of sediment cores (10-20 cm). S/he will set up
in situ experiments to identify biogeochemical markers and assess
the potential impact of the exploitation of deep-sea marine
resources.
The biogeochemist will develop collaborations with Ifremer
researchers in the marine geosciences research unit (GM) on fluid
sources and fluid export in the global ocean. Other collaborations
will involve the research and technology unit (RDT) to develop
innovative sensors for the acquisition of in situ measurements and
sampling.
Other duties include answering calls for projects, participating in
project proposals, disseminating scientific results (reports,
publications, conferences) and sitting on various advisory boards as
an expert.
Main activities:
Acquisition of basic knowledge on the physico-chemical
functioning of deep-sea marine habitats.
Modelling chemical fluxes to qualify and quantify the
biogeochemical processes that are specific to each ecosystem.
Design, development and implementation of in situ experiments to
identify biogeochemical markers and to assess the impact of
anthropogenic activities on deep-sea ecosystems.
Participation in the development of innovative sensors.
Qualifications and desired skills
Education:
PhD in Marine Biogeochemistry/Marine
Chemistry
Professional experience:
Overseas post-doctoral experience
Expertise:
Previous participation in research cruises - Biogeochemistry/Marine Chemistry
desirable
- Chemical flux modelling
- Deep-sea instrumentation and methods used for
physico-chemical analyses
- Good working knowledge of programming
software (R, MatLab, etc.)
Personal qualities:
- Good working knowledge of written and spoken
- Enthusiastic, inquisitive, open to
English
learning and applying new techniques
- Ability to work across disciplines and as
a member of an integrated team
- Penchant for innovation in
instrumentation and data processing
- Willingness to work at sea