Researcher In Modelling Of Deep Marine Chemosynthetic Microbial Ecosystems M - F H/F - 29

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 : 28/09/25

Who are we?

The Biology and Ecology of Deep-Sea Marine Ecosystems joint research unit (Ifremer, UBO) is one of the 3 units of the Physical Resources and Deep-Sea Ecosystems department (REM).

As part of the BEEP research unit (https://www.umr-beep.fr/), under the supervision of the head of the LMEE (Laboratory of Microbiology of Extreme Environments), he/she will contribute to the acquisition of knowledge on the dynamics and functioning of microbial ecosystems in deep marine chemosynthetic environments such as hydrothermal systems and cold fluid emissions. This research is part of national, European and international projects, in particular those linked to France 2030 and the deep-sea exploration contracts managed by Ifremer on behalf of the French government (APP- AIFM). This project will contribute to respond to the objectives raised by the REM department's roadmap and the priority themes of the Institute's COMP 2024-2028. She/he will work closely with microbiologists, biologists, geologists and geochemists working in the field of mineral resources to implement an integrated microbial ecology approach. This approach will BE based on metabolic and thermodynamic flow models of microbial processes in their physico-chemical context. In collaboration with BEEP and GeoOcean researchers, she/he will participate in the development of innovative methods to assess the contribution of deep microbial ecosystems to major geochemical cycles such as those of carbon, sulfur and nitrogen.

What will your mission BE ?
- Participate in the assessment of the contribution of deep-sea chemosynthetic microbial ecosystems to major geochemical cycles such as carbon, sulfur and nitrogen, by developing metabolic and thermodynamic flux models.
- Integrate this modelling approach into a multidisciplinary, ecosystem-based approach

What will your activities BE ?
- Identify and quantify the flows of energy and matter mobilized and transferred by microbial communities in deep marine environments.
- Design and develop numerical models describing the functioning of microbial ecosystems in deep marine environments, integrating ecological interactions and geochemical processes.
- In collaboration with BEEP researchers (microbiologists and biologists), implement experimental approaches to validate and constrain the models developed.
- Use the models to make predictions about biotic interactions and identify potential new metabolic pathways involved in the functioning of ecosystems and food webs.
- Supervise and train young researchers
- Write scientific articles.
- Set up and coordinate projects and seek funding.

How are your activities organised ?
- Position based at Ifremer Plouzané, with possible travel for field missions.
- Offshore and/or coastal scientific cruises possible.
- Permanent position