Fixed-Term Project Contract Microbiology Engineer Supporting Project Coordination 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.frDeadline for applications : 12/02/2026

Who are we?

The Microbiology, Food, Health, Environment unit studies anthropogenic and marine microorganisms present in coastal environments and marine foods.

Within the unit, the Health, Environment and Microbiology Laboratory conducts research on human microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) in the land-sea continuum and in shellfish, in order to understand the mechanisms of transfer, persistence, or emergence within the coastal environment. The research carried out at the laboratory is based on reference activities (National Reference Laboratory for shellfish microbiology) and knowledge of coastal microbial quality (coordination of the REMI, a network for microbiological monitoring of shellfish producing area).

The laboratory participates in national and european research projects such as the OBEPINE+ project (funded by ANR-France 2030), which is the main focus of this position.

Within the France 2030 program on the acceleration strategy Emerging Infectious Diseases - NRBC Risk, the OBEPINE+ project aims to set up a platform in the form of a network of partners to react quickly, or even anticipate the emergence of a new virus through the analysis of wastewater, using collaborative research.

The project aims to use wastewater to characterize the circulation and emergence of viruses in the population and develop warning tools, using a One Health approach.

The OBEPINE+ project covers the entire French mainland country and overseas territories, relying on workshop sites. OBEPINE+ brings together 16 institutional partners and the three wastewater treatment operators. In addition, for epidemiological data, the consortium collaborates with hospital or veterinary National Reference Centers (CNRs), Santé Publique France and Regional Health Agencies, as well as the ADILVA laboratory network.

OBEPINE+ is organized in two main axes: one dedicated to infrastructure and warning systems, and the other one to the development and optimization of new methods, each axis including four work packages (WP). LSEM is in charge of one WP (WP7) on molecular methods development, bringing together 14 partners. LSEM also contributes to WP3 (monitoring of four coastal workshop sites), WP4 (creation of an aqua-bank), WP6 (sampling methods and strategy), and WP9 (infectious risk analysis).

Under the responsibility of the head of the laboratory and the Obepine+ LSEM team project leader, you will be responsible for coordinating Ifremer's exchanges within the OBEPINE+ consortium,

What will your mission BE?

Your main task will be to lead and coordinate the implementation of WP7, for which the laboratory is responsible, in close collaboration with Ifremer's scientific project manager. You will also contribute to the WPs in which the LSEM laboratory is involved.

What will your activities BE?

- Coordination and facilitation of WP7 activities: setting up a meeting schedule, facilitating working groups, drafting minutes, drafting protocols in the form of SOPs to be shared with partners,
- Project monitoring in conjunction with the WP7 coordinator,
- Creation and management of the Obepine+ web page on the unit website,
- Summary of results related to WPs in which the laboratory is involved, participation in interpretation and publication,
- Participation in internal unit or laboratory meetings and project meetings
- Management of deliverables on the official Resana sharepoint
- Organization of sampling (WP3), including in epidemiological crisis situations: ensuring the quality of sample collection and transport
- Integration of samples taken into the aquabank (WP4): traceability, implementation of the Labcollector database with samples collected and stored as part of this project, provision and shipment of samples to partners

How are your activities organised ?

- Full-time
- Occasional field assignments
- Fixed-term project contract
- Event marking the end of the fixed-term project contract: WP7 closing meeting to be organized no later than December 31, 2029

Who are you?

- Engineering degree or equivalent level of education.
- Experience in microbiology, molecular biology, and bioinformatics
- Experience in project and data management (minimum 3 years)

You have the following skills, knowledge and experience:

- Knowledge in microbiology,
- Scientific skills in molecular biology and metagenomics,
- Knowledge of public health issues relating to emerging microorganisms,
- Project management: organizing meetings, writing reports, and summarizing data.

You have the following qualities:

- Ability to work in a team
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Ability to synthesize information
- Writing skills
- Ability to take initiative