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PhD : MicroCOSMA : Microbial COmmunity shifts in New Caledonia coastal ecosystems under Seasonal and Multidecadal Anthropogenic impacts(M/F)

PhD : MicroCOSMA : Microbial COmmunity shifts in New Caledonia coastal ecosystems under Seasonal and Multidecadal Anthropogenic impacts(M/F)

France 02 May 2021
Ifremer - French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea

Ifremer - French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea

State University (France), Browse similar opportunities

OPPORTUNITY DETAILS

Total reward
0 $
State University
Area
Host Country
Deadline
02 May 2021
Study level
Opportunity type
PhD
Specialities
Opportunity funding
Not funding
Eligible Countries
This opportunity is destined for all countries
Eligible Region
All Regions

Reference: PV-2021-884/1

Department/Office:

Duration of contract:3 ans

Start date:

Deadline for applications:02/05/2021

The Institute and the recruiting departement

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 for the Ecological and Solidary Transition, and the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

General areas of responsibility

The PhD thesis will be carried out for 50% of the time within the Ifremer research unit DYNECO (https://wwz.ifremer.fr/dyneco/) in Plouzané (Centre de Bretagne) and for 50% within the research unit LEAD (https://wwz.ifremer.fr/Glossaire-et-acronymes/Significations-des-acronymes/LEAD-NC), in Nouméa (New Caledonia). The objective of the DYNECO/Pelagos laboratory is to study the ecology of the coastal pelagic ecosystem, and more specifically the cycles of nutrients and phytoplankton, in particular toxic algae, and their responses to the impact of human activities. The LEAD unit develops skills in crustacean, fish and microalgae aquaculture and is interested in the coastal environment and associated biodiversity. In Brest the student will be supervised for the molecular ecology and paleogenetic part (eDNA) of the thesis and will benefit from the collaboration and help of the SeBiMer bioinformatic facility. During the stay in NC, sediment core samples and potentially new eDNA samples will be collected taking advantage of the experience and facilities of the LEAD team for environmental samplings. The PhD will be formed to genetic analyses by technician and researchers of the LEAD team in Nouméa and Saint-Vincent, with the collaboration of the DYNECO team.

Summary

The lagoon of New Caledonia has an exceptional marine biodiversity, which has to be preserved face to strong environmental issues due to territory development. The mining industry and coastal urbanization represent a threat to marine biodiversity by increasing terrestrial inputs of organic matter and contaminants into coastal systems through riverine run-offs during cyclonic periods. In the area, the potential impacts of terrestrial inputs on marine microorganism diversity and community structure is not clearly defined at both temporal and spatial scales. Based on the coupled approach between environmental genomics (eDNA), coastal hydrology and geochemistry, the PhD will aim at understanding human activity impacts over microbial communities under three different and complementary perspectives. (1) The evaluation of variations in microbial community structure between the dry and rainy seasons in estuarine ecosystems of ultramafic catchment areas under mining influences. (2) The analysis of shifts in microbial communities occurred over the last century in parallel to the development of the mining industry by means of the analyses of paleoarchives (sedaDNA and heavy metals) collected from sediment cores. (3) The assessment of the arrival and/or the recrudescence of blooms of potential harmful microorganisms in relation to human activity development.

Key words

Coastal ecology, river run-offs, anthropogenic impacts, pollutions environmental microbiology, environmental DNA, paleoecology-paleogenetics, New Caledonia, coastal management, metabarcod

Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics

Expected profil

The PhD candidate must be in possession of a Master in Marine Ecology/Biology or Microbiology

Specific competences:

Specific working conditions

PhD is a real opportunity to work on Ifremer's scientific and technological priority themes. It entitles the holder to a gross monthly salary of 1900 euros for a period of 3 years, which cannot be combined with other scholarships. 

How to apply for this position?

Your application file must include:

Your application must be compiled into 2 PDF files, up to 1.5 MB for each file:

In case of any problem in attaching your documents, please upload your CV on this page (this step is mandatory for your application to be considered) and send all the documents to the thesis supervisors: raffaele.siano@ifremer.frhugues.lemonnier@ifremer.fr

The deadline for applications is 2nd May, 2021. Nevertheless, we strongly urge you to let us know as soon as possible of your intention to apply, by contacting the subject supervisor.

Doctoral students' contracts will start as of October 1st, 2021, subject to the submission of administrative documents authorizing Ifremer to recruit the doctoral student (certificate of completion of the Master 2 or engineering degree + visa for foreign doctoral students outside the EU).

How to apply for this position

Deadline for applications: 02/05/2021

All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button. 

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