Researcher In The Physiology And Ecology Of Microalgae M - F H/F - Ifremer

Join Ifremer, an ally of planetary well-being, to gain a better understanding of and better protection for the ocean.

From the abyss to the surface, from the coast to the open SEA, Ifremer is the French research institute that is wholly dedicated to the Ocean. Its teams carry out research, innovate and produce expert reports to protect the ocean, exploit its resources in a responsible manner and shares marine data.

Ifremer contributes its scientific expertise to throw light on public policies and develops solutions drawn from the ocean to meet the challenges of the ecological transition. Ifremer is the operator of France's oceanographic fleet with its shipbuilding subsidiary Genavir, and imagines, designs and deploys leading edge technological means to solve the ocean's mysteries.

Join our teams, made up of 1500 scientists and research support staff, present all along the coastal areas of France and French overseas territories.

www.ifremer.frClosure date for receipt of applications : 25/09/2025

Who are we?

The LEAD-NC unit (Lagoon, Ecosystems and Sustainable Aquaculture in New Caledonia) has been a member of the UMR Entropie (Tropical Marine Ecology of the Pacific and Indian Oceans) since January 2020, whose general objective is to study the biodiversity and marine and coastal resources of the greater tropical Indo-Pacific region. The work carried out aims to understand the dynamics and vulnerability of this biodiversity in the face of natural and anthropogenic environmental forcings and to develop tools for the conservation and sustainable development of resources, management assistance, and governance.

The LEAD unit focuses more particularly on the characterization and understanding of the dynamics of lagoon ecosystems and agrosystems, their state of health, at different scales (from the ecosystem to the organism) according to three axes i) the dynamics of environmental forcings during intense episodes (e.g. marine heatwaves, tropical depressions...), ii) the environmental microbial diversity and structure along the land-sea continuum and iii) the response of the holobiont (physiological limits of organisms of ecological or aquaculture interest, phenotypic plasticity, etc.) in the face of these forcings.

The position is placed under the authority of the head of the LEAD NC unit / Ifremer delegate in New Caledonia, and IT is positioned at the IRD centre in Nouméa. You will carry out research and expertise activities on the thematic component concerning the diversity and dynamics of micro-algal populations and their valorization in an integrated approach in close collaboration with the other scientists of the unit and the UMR Entropie.

What will your mission BE?

You are developing work on the diversity and dynamics of micro-algal populations in connection with the dynamics of environmental forcings impacting New Caledonian lagoons (with a focus on toxic and harmful microalgae).

The approaches implemented will allow a census of biodiversity and chemodiversity, in connection with the adaptation mechanisms of local micro-algal species in a context of global change.

You are also involved in the valorization of marine microalgae through potential applications in marine biotechnologies as part of collaborations with private companies and local partners.

What will your activities BE?
- Develop and manage research and innovation projects (search for funding, strengthening or creation of scientific partnerships internally and externally, implementation) targeting marine microalgae, in particular toxic and harmful microalgae
- Studying the effects of environmental forcings on the lagoon environment via micro-algal diversity in relation to bacterial diversity and forcing dynamics
- Scientifically animate the "microalgae" theme at the scale of New Caledonia, in particular within the framework of the Laboratory for the Study of Microalgae (LEMA), in interaction with partners and with Ifremer units in mainland France
- Supporting activities developed in New Caledonia in the field of biotechnology related to marine microalgae
- Promote the results obtained and contribute to the communication of the work carried out (presentations, publications, etc.)
- Participate in research training by supervising students (Master's, doctoral students) and supporting post-doctoral and technical staff

How are your activities organised?
- Full time,
- Boarding possible, field missions throughout New Caledonia
- Position under overseas assignment status for a fixed term for an initial period of 2 years, renewable a maximum of 2 times.

Who are you?
- Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry and Plant Ecology

Professional experience / Post-doctorate desired; Experience partnering with companies is an asset for the position

You have the following skills, knowledge and experience :
- Knowledge of microalgae physiology and chemodiversity
- Knowledge of microalgae culture and ecology
- Desired skills in the field of research into ways of valorization of molecules (nutrition, cosmetics, health or remediation)
- Knowledge of biodiversity (taxonomy) desired
- Knowledge of the interactions between biotopes and microorganism communities (desired)
- Desired biochemical and molecular analysis skills
- Project Management Skills
- English

You have the following qualities :
- Leadership and teamwork skills
- Initiative and Organizational
- Writing skills in French and English
- Scientific rigour
- Fitness for embarkation / work at SEA