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 Health, Environment and Microbiology Laboratory (LSEM) develops research activities related to microbial human pathogens (mainly viruses and bacteria) in the marine environment and shellfish, to understand the mechanisms of transfer, persistence, or emergence within the coastal environment. The original and innovative research carried out at LSEM, lies at the interface between human health and the microbiological quality of the coastal environment. Indeed, it is based on our reference actions (LSEM is the National Reference Laboratory for shellfish microbiology), knowledge of the sanitary quality of the coast (LSEM coordinates the Microbiological Monitoring of shellfish and sanitary studies) and expertise with the competent national or European authorities.
Under the hierarchical responsibility of the head of LSEM, she / he works on the emergence of pathogens posing a risk to human health in the marine environment and shellfish. In particular, she/he is developing scientific work contributing to the monitoring of these pathogens in the context of regulatory changes.
She / he is developing a research activity on the factors favoring the emergence of pathogens by evaluating the zoonotic potentials of bacteria or viruses, and by developing the necessary tools for their detection. At the interface between surveillance and research, she / he contributes to the transfer of new approaches, methods and tools from research to operational surveillance and to establish what will be the surveillance of tomorrow. She / he coordinates the network of Microbiological Control of Shellfish Production Areas (REMI), steered by Ifremer through AMOA (Assistance to Project Management) in support of national competent authorities.
General areas of responsibility
Within the LSEM, she / he participates in the construction of tools using metagenomics approaches to identify and characterize (re) emerging pathogens in the coastal environment. This research will allow the establishment of additional supervision, targeting emerging, unregulated risks to anticipate developments towards the regulatory supervision of the future. In this context, she / he is an actor in the development of scientific work on the theme and in the application of new approaches and methods.
She / he is in charge of coordinating the REMI, allowing the classification of production areas by the national services, including the definition of the sampling strategy, the supervision of operations, the interpretation of data, in connection with actors in public health, risk assessment and state services.
Principal activities
- Contributing to the development and evolution of surveillance towards emergence watch: she / he develops and participates in research projects carried by LSEM with the aim of acquiring knowledge on microbiological diversity in the marine environment in connection with human activities and to develop new tools to characterize this diversity. She / he also works on adapting methods for their application with the aim of identifying and characterizing emerging pathogens and their possible transmission to humans via coastal uses.
- National coordination of the REMI: finalization of the transfer of operational tasks to other operators in accordance with Ifremer’s contract of objectives, animation of the network of LERs (Laboratoires Environnement Ressources de Ifremer) and the various operators and actors involved, scientific support for local issues related to microbiological contamination of coastal waters, implementation of research conventions.
- Contributing to the implementation of the ROME observatory (Network of Integrated Environmental Microbiology Observatories) and associated research.
- Interacting with reference activities, normative monitoring and proper application of regulations.
- Valorizing the data resulting from surveillance, write scientific articles, actively participate in scientific communications through oral or displayed presentations at national and international congresses, to national authorities, and to the shellfish farming profession.
- Development of research projects with national and international partners
- Publication of scientific articles
- Supervision of students (masters, PhD) and post-doctoral fellows.
Collaborative work environment
- Internal collaborative relationship.
- Internally: the LSEM, MASAE and Littoral units, the LER network, RBE and ODE departments, coordination of support for public policies.
- External collaborative relationship
- National: local state services, Directorate General for Food, ANSES, Public Health France, REMI operators, National Reference Centers,
- International: research laboratories, partners of European project or working groups.
Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics
- PhD in Microbiology with post-doctoral experience
- Experience in projects related to the desired coastal environment and / or human health
Required knowledge, skills and characteristics
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of classical microbiology, metagenomic techniques and microbial diversity analysis
- Project management
- Analysis and synthesis of environmental observation data
- Ability to write reports, publications
- Fluency in English (oral and written)
Personal human qualities
- Scientific rigor, autonomy, dynamism, curiosity
- Sense of responsibility, interpersonal skills, communication and pedagogy
- Team work
How to apply for this position
Deadline for applications: 26/10/2021
All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button.
For further information about the position, follow this link.