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 Oceanography and Ecosystems Dynamics Department (ODE) is one of Ifremer’s 4 scientific departments. It comprises 4 units, spread over 13 sites. The 4 units are: the Physical and Spatial Oceanography Laboratory (the LOPS, UMR CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, see below for more detail), the Dynamics of Coastal Ecosystems unit (DYNECO), the Physiology and Toxins of Poisonous and Harmful Microalgae unit (PHYTOX) and the Littoral unit (UL). In addition, the VIGIES service supports both public agencies with the mandate of managing the marine environment.
The position to be filled is attached to the LOPS unit’s Coastal Ocean team. The LOPS is a joint research unit mandated by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), the Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer (Ifremer), the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) and the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO). As a research unit, the LOPS develops and participates in oceanographic research programs that contribute to increasing our knowledge and understanding of ocean dynamics at different scales of space and time and study the relationships between the Ocean and other Earth system components (including atmosphere, ice and living organisms). The LOPS includes 4 research teams including the Coastal Ocean team that leads work on coastal environment dynamics in Metropolitan France and overseas. The LOPS is heavily involved in the scientific steering and promotion of national and international ocean observation programs, using both in-situ and satellite measurements.
Ifremer coordinates a suite of collaborative EC-funded projects related to the Joint European Research Infrastructure for Coastal Observation (JERICO). Since 2007, these European projects aim to establish a European infrastructure dedicated to coastal ocean observation JERICO-RI and to coordinate the associated scientific community. Ifremer with the CNRS is also co-lead of France’s national research Infrastructure for Littoral and Coastal observation (IR ILICO) which is the French node of JERICO-RI.
The JERICO-RI observation infrastructure project involves all of ODE/D’s components. The REM (Sea-floor Physical Resources and Ecosystems) and the IRSI (Research Infrastructures and Information Systems) Departments are also involved. With respect to Ifremer’s internal organisation the position is placed within the LOPS unit’s Coastal Ocean team. The Coastal Ocean team not only contributes to the scientific steering of JERICO projects (since their launch) but also benefits from services developed by JERICO. The wide scope – well beyond that of the LOPS – and transversal nature of the position is underlined, both for Ifremer as well as the national and European scientific communities.
Main mission
The position’s main mission is to coordinate efforts (1) within the Institute, (2) with French research organisations involved in coastal ocean observation and (3) with European partners in view of establishing the European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) dedicated to coastal ocean observation, JERICO-RI.
In line with overarching objectives of achieving an integrated approach to the observation of coastal and seashore environments and collaborative research in the context of global change, the main endeavours will be two-fold: to bring about the convergence of organisms’ and European member States’ research strategies in order to secure a common legal status for the entity, and; to participate in this new entity’s governance.
Major duties :
Within this context, the major duties are to:
- Ensure the coordination of the JERICO-Design Study project and the scientific coordination of the JERICO-S3 project. Encourage applications to any other structural funding relevant to the JERICO research community and / or contributing to ensuring the sustainability of coastal and seashore observation systems in Europe (JERICO-RI) in line with a sustainable and sober economic model; thus contributing to the future of coastal ocean and seashore observation at the global scale.
- Ensure that JERICO-RI is strategically positioned in the landscape of Environmental / Earth system European Research Infrastructures. Contribute to the implementation of the European Ocean Observing System (EOOS) and participate in the Board of European Environmental Research Infrastructures (BEERi), in EUROGOOS and in any other projects deemed relevant.
- Ensure that the national research infrastructure IR ILICO is well integrated as the French node of the European infrastructure JERICO-RI and that IR ILICO benefits from JERICO’s advances.
- Optimise contributions and outputs of establishing JERICO-RI for Ifremer teams and those of other French organisms (ie. network development, funding opportunities, resource pooling). In particular, ensure that the data, products and services generated from observation of coastal and seashore environments are of use for the scientific research conducted within the LOPS and other Ifremer units in connection with the DataTerra Research Infrastructure.
Professional relations
- Internally to Ifremer: This cross-cutting activity implies interactions within the ODE department, with the national research infrastructure’s (IR ILICO) management team (co-lead by Ifremer and CNRS-INSU), with the REM department (Sea-floor Physical Resources and Ecosystems) and specifically the RDT technological unit, with the Research Infrastructures and Information Systems department (IRSI), with the RBE department, with the Oceanographic Fleet Directorate (DFO) and with the Scientific Directorate (DS).
- Externally: A vast network of other institutions contributing to oceanographic observation, other research and data infrastructures (notably Euro-ARGO, EMSO ERIC, EMBRC, DANUBIUS, AQUACOSM & DATA TERRA), the upcoming Fr-OOS (French Ocean Observing System), the Ministry of Research, the European partners, coordination bodies, funding agencies, political decision-makers in Europe, and potential international partners.
Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics
- Initial training in marine sciences (PhD or equivalent experience); additional training in project management would be an asset.
- Experience in fundraising, grant writing, coordination and management of European projects. Experience in managing observing systems and services, preferably at the international level. Experience with building a sustainable economic model for a long-term observation service would be a plus.
Essential knowledge, skills and experience
Technical skills
- Experience managing projects in science and innovation, preferably in an international context, in the domain of ocean and climate observation.
- Experience in EU project budget management.
- Familiarity with the concept of the economic model (business plan) of European infrastructures and services.
- Knowledge of the European marine research and observation framework, European Commission processes, ESFRI and other European and international research infrastructures.
- Knowledge of the marine landscape and maritime policy in Europe
- Knowledge of physical and biological Oceanography, recognition as an international leader of in-situ ocean observations would be an asset to the application.
- Good knowledge of the observation process chain, from sensor to data
- Excellent level of general and technical English
Personal qualities & soft skills
- Strategic vision.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to seek funding (research grants, contracts with the private sector, etc.).
- Proven leadership in a professional setting, demonstrated skills in effective management of a multidisciplinary team
- Good oratory abilities
Specific working conditions
- Full time
- Extensive travel in France, Europe and potentially further abroad
How to apply for this position
Deadline for applications: 08/06/2022
All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button.
Further information, can be found here.