As part of the PEPR (Priority Research Projects and Equipment) exploratory program FairCarboN (Carbon in continental ecosystems: levers and trajectories for carbon neutrality), Nantes Université is recruiting a full-time research assisant in biometeorology (CO2 and CH4 fluxes at interfaces) for a 2-year contract, starting March, 2024.
The person recruited will report to Vona MELEDER, Professor of Marine Biology at Nantes Université, ISOMer laboratory, and will be involved in the “CarboNium” project (CarboN dynamic in the terrestrial- aquatic continuum).
The CarboNium project of the PEPR FairCarboN program aims to contribute to a better understanding of the carbon cycle at the interface of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (freshwater ecosystems, wetlands), at the interface between continental surfaces and oceans (coastal ecosystems, estuaries), and along river systems ensuring the land-ocean continuum. A better quantification of the fluxes and knowledge of the dynamics of carbon in aquatic ecosystems is essential for the establishment of carbon balances and to constrain GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions from continental surfaces. In this context, CarboNium will meet the following objectives: (1) Synthesize data on carbon fluxes and stocks in the terrestrial aquatic continuum from French infrastructure observatories, (2) Densify observations of fluxes (including high-frequency instrumentation) and carbon stocks from French infrastructure observatories, (3) Unify the protocols used by the French community to study the carbon cycle in the terrestrial aquatic continuum, (4) Propose a community modeling open platform for the carbon cycle in the Land-Sea continuum.
Main activities:
The person recruited will have to implement:
• Purchase and setting-up of two flux towers: one in the Atlantic zone (Loire estuary) and one in the Mediterranean zone (Tour du Valat).
• Management and maintenance of the Atlantic flux towers (Loire estuary and Pertuis Charentais), and secondarily, the Mediterranean flux tower (Tour du Valat).
• Curation and processing of data from these towers, in a homogeneous manner, and construction of a database of CO2 and CH4 emissions from temperate and tropical coastal ecosystems.
Profile required
• Education and/or qualification: M.Sc or PhD with specialization in biogeochemistry and/or biometeorology
• Previous experience welcome for the position: 3 to 5 years
Skills and knowledge required
General, theoretical or disciplinary knowledge
– Knowledge of the French and European scientific research field and its operation
– English (fluent)
Operational skills:
– Ability to handle different types of equipment in biometeorology
– Ability to negotiate the purchase equipment in biometeorology with various suppliers in France and Europe.
– Basic knowledge of project management
Soft skills:
– Ability to adapt: collaboration with a wide variety of partners
– Rigour and methodology
– Ability to summarise
– Ability to work in a team
– Autonomy
– Ability to take steps