A pioneer in ocean science, IFREMER’s cutting-edge research is grounded in sustainable development and open science. Our vision is to advance science, expertise and innovation to:

  • Protect and restore the ocean
  • Sustainably use marine resources to benefit society
  • Create and share ocean data, information & knowledge.

With more than 1,500 personnel spread along the French coastline in more than 20 sites, the Institute explores the 3 great oceans: the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A leader in ocean science, IFREMER is managing the French Oceanographic Fleet and its dedicated scientists create ground-breaking technology to push the boundaries of ocean exploration and knowledge, from the abyss to the atmosphere-ocean interface.

Well-established in the international scientific community, our scientists, engineers and technicians are committed to advance knowledge about our planet’s last unexplored frontiers. They provide the science we need for informed decision-making and public policy and they transfer this knowledge and technology to businesses to fulfill public and private needs. Core to our mission is also to strengthen public awareness about the importance of understanding the ocean and its resources, and empowering future generations of leaders through education and outreach national campaigns.

Founded in 1984, IFREMER is a French public organization and its budget approximates 240 million euros. It is operating under the joint authority of the French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the french Ministry of the Sea, the French Ministry for the Ecological and Solidary Transition, and the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

 

General areas of responsibility

The objectives of the Microbiology Food Health and Environment (MASAE) unit are to study the diversity and evolution of micro-organisms of anthropogenic or marine origins present in the coastal environment and in foods of marine origin, to understand their effects on the microbiological quality/safety of products derived from them. The scientific work of the unit is divided around axes common to two laboratories, allowing research ranging from the microbiome to the metabolites of interest of target microorganisms.

The Laboratory Health Environment and Microbiology (LSEM) develops research activities related to pathogenic microorganisms for Humans (mainly viruses and bacteria) in the land-sea continuum and shellfish, to understand the mechanisms of transfer, persistence, or emergence within the coastal environment. The research carried out at LSEM, located at the interface of human health and the microbiological quality of the shoreline, is based on reference activities (the LSEM is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for the microbiology of shellfish), and knowledge of the microbiological quality of the coastline (the LSEM coordinates the REMI, a network dedicated to microbiological monitoring of shellfish and health studies).

Placed under the hierarchical responsibility of the LSEM manager, you will be in charge of the development and deployment of research activities on sanitary bacteriology. You will develop your research on the characterization of strains and pathogenicity of bacteria mainly released by anthropogenic activities in the marine environment.

 

General areas of responsibility

The research will focus on the analysis of the characteristics of bacterial strains of public health interest (leisure activity or consumption of shellfish): evaluation of the mechanisms related to virulence, pathogenicity, adaptation to niches and persistence in the environment, or antibiotic resistance.

In concert with the work developed at the LSEM on the analysis of microbial flora (bacteria and viruses), you will help to identify microbiome factors favoring the emergence of bacterial strains pathogenic for Humans in a one-health approach.

The research activities will contribute to the laboratory’s expertise as part of its NRL missions.

Principal activities

  • Assess watershed inputs that may contribute to bacteriological contamination of the shoreline in a one-health or one-water context
  • Use host-pathogen interaction models (e.g., human or animal organoids, or microfluidic culture systems) to assess virulence or pathogen provision of isolated strains
  • Develop approaches in genomics, proteomics, metagenomics & metatranscriptomics
  • Contribute to research on interactions between human viruses and bacteria, and to studies on pathogens emergence
  • Develop and strengthen exchanges with research laboratories (national and international) in bacteriology in the field of human or animal health
  • Contribute to the response to regional, national or European calls for tenders and develop research partnerships;
  • Supervise PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and trainees
  • Write scientific articles, and actively participating in scientific enhancement through oral presentations or displays at national, international and civil society conferences.

Collaborative work environment

  • Internal collaborative relationship : the laboratory, unit and other microbiologists of the department and institute
  • External collaborative relationship : national research laboratories (ONIRIS, CHU, Inserm, ANSES, Institut Pasteur, etc.), Santé Publique France, National Reference Centers, hospital research laboratories, and foreign partners involved in joint research projects.

Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics

  • PhD in Microbiology with post-doctoral experience, abroad expected
  • Capacity to conduct research activities (HDR) will be appreciated.

Required knowledge, skills and characteristic

Knowledge, skills and abilities :

  • Classical and clinical bacteriology
  • Molecular biology, omic sciences, mutagenesis techniques, gene editing;
  • Bioinformatics analyses, statistics;
  • Level 2 biological safety laboratory work (LSB2),
  • Writing, project management, and exploitation (publications & congresses)
  • Fluency in English (oral and written),
  • Supervision of PhD students, post-doctoral researchers and trainees.

Personal human qualities

  • Scientific rigour, autonomy, dynamism, curiosity,
  • Sense of responsibility, ability to manage technicians and students,
  • Sense of relationship, communication and pedagogy,
  • Capacity to work within a research group

Specific working conditions

  • Full Time

How to apply for this position

Deadline for applications: 29/09/2022

All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button. 

Further information can be found in this link.