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Researcher In Microbial Ecology Of Exploited Marine Systems M - F H/F
Ifremer
Noumea, New Caledonia
Posted on Apr 30, 2026
Les missions du poste
Deadline for applications: 28/05/2026
Who are we ?
Since January 2020, the LEAD-NC unit (Lagoons, Ecosystems and Sustainable Aquaculture in New Caledonia) has been a member of the ENTROPIE Joint Research Unit (Tropical Marine Ecology of the Pacific and Indian Oceans), whose main objective is to study the biodiversity and marine and coastal resources of the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Our work aims to understand the dynamics and vulnerability of this biodiversity to natural and anthropogenic environmental drivers, and to develop tools for conservation, sustainable resource use, management support, and governance.
The research conducted by the Ifremer LEAD unit focuses more specifically on the characterization and understanding of the dynamics and health status of lagoon ecosystems and aquaculture systems, across multiple scales (from ecosystem to organism), along three main axes: (i) the dynamics of environmental drivers during extreme events (e.g., marine heatwaves, tropical depressions), (ii) environmental microbial diversity and structure along the land-sea continuum taking into account agroecosystems, and (iii) the response of the holobiont (physiological limits of organisms of ecological or aquaculture interest, phenotypic plasticity, etc.) to these drivers.
The position is under the authority of the Head of the LEAD-NC Unit / Ifremer Delegate in New Caledonia and is based at the IRD Center in Nouméa.
You will conduct research and expert activities addressing the ENTROPIE UMR priority Diversity, structure and role of the microbiome in marine ecosystems for which you will co-lead this priority including aquaculture systems. You will promote an integrated approach in close collaboration with other researchers from LEAD-NC and ENTROPIE, within the context of global change and anthropogenic pressures.
What will your mission and activities be ?
You will conduct research activities aligned with ongoing projects within the unit, in close interaction with other senior researchers:
- Study of microbiome dynamics and structure using omics approaches, integrating different phyla (bacteria, archaea, protists, microalgae, and viruses) in aquaculture systems and lagoon ecosystems, in a context of climate change and anthropogenic pressures;
- Study of microbiome dynamics and structure in relation to contrasting response phenotypes (mortality, metal accumulation, pollutants, etc.) in marine species of economic and/or ecological interest (holobiont approach);
- Ecological characterization of potentially harmful and/or toxic microorganism species in lagoon ecosystems and agroecosystems (Vibrio, toxic algae, etc.);
- In particular, using the farmed shrimp model (Penaeus stylirostris): study of potential management of microbial communities in aquaculture systems to optimize production performance, in a context of antibiotic withdrawal in hatcheries; and assessment of the impact of new zootechnical practices (use of novel feed ingredients such as insect meal, or probiotics) on their microbiome and the physiological status of shrimp;
To address these questions, the research will focus primarily on two components of the microbial compartment: the diversity and structure of prokaryotes, and primary producers, in close interaction with research on the ecophysiology of microalgae (both toxic and non-toxic).
You will also contribute to the development of new experimental infrastructure in marine biology.
Within the ENTROPIE UMR, you will be responsible for co-leading the scientific theme Diversity, structure and role of the microbiome in marine ecosystems, in collaboration with another UMR member based in La Réunion.
You will have the following main responsibilities :
- Define and implement research activities on microbial ecology (dynamics and functional aspects) in aquaculture systems and the surrounding natural environment, in close collaboration with researchers from the unit and the ENTROPIE UMR;
- Develop scientific and technical partnerships with partner organizations at local, regional, and national (mainland France) levels;
- Design and secure funding for collaborative research projects;
- Contribute to research-based training (student supervision, PhD supervision);
- Promote and disseminate research results (presentations, publications, etc.);
- Lead the scientific theme Diversity, structure and role of the microbiome in marine ecosystems, and contribute to UMR steering committees and cross-theme coordination.
Who will you be working with ?
- Internal collaborative relationship
Researchers, technicians, and administrative staff from the Ifremer site in New Caledonia, as well as from other overseas or mainland units working on similar topics.
- External collaborative relationship
Staff from the ENTROPIE UMR and, more broadly, from CRESICA (Consortium for Research, Higher Education and Innovation in New Caledonia): researchers and technicians from IRD, UNC, IAC, IPNC, etc.
At the regional level: researchers from other institutions (e.g., Cawthron, CSIRO).
Le profil recherché
Who are You ?
- PhD in microbiology, biology and population dynamics, or ecology
- Professional experience / postdoctoral experience desirable
You have the following skills, knowledge and experience :
- Knowledge of marine microbial ecology (prokaryotes and protists)
- Quantitative ecology
- Proficiency in tools for monitoring microbial communities in situ (molecular tools, eDNA, qPCR, etc.)
- Proficiency of bioinformatic processing of raw sequencing data (short reads, long reads, DNA and RNA)
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and methods (statistics, bioinformatics, etc.)
- Experience in designing and conducting experiments
- Postdoctoral experience in universities and/or recognized research institutes in the field is an asset
- Project management skills, with the ability to develop research projects and secure competitive funding
- English required
You have the following qualities :
- Ability to supervise and work in a team
- Strong writing and communication skills in French and English
- Excellent ability to work in a team and collaborate with academic, institutional, and public policy partners
- Interest in both fieldwork and data analysis
- Scientific rigor
Bienvenue chez 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.fr
Infos complémentaires
How to apply?
Please attach your CV and cover letter in a single PDF document.
What benefits do we offer?
- We have a remote working policy (available after 6 months' service) and our staff are entitled to 12 days of RTT leave and additional statutory leave.
- We allocate a substantial budget to skills development, through individual and team-based initiatives.
- We are committed to a CSR policy inspired by the institute's core values (sustainable mobility allowance, etc.)
What are the next steps?
- A telephone or video call for pre-selection
- An interview, conducted by a recruitment panel, with several technical and HR representatives
- Approval of your application by the department director
La carte
101 Promenade Roger Laroque
98800 Nouméa
Localiser le poste
Publiée le 30/04/2026 - Réf : 4029700/28644454 2026-025/1