Marine Ecology Researcher M – F

The main challenges of the "Channel North SEA Fisheries" (HMMN) unit are to analyse and predict the dynamics of marine ecosystems and their biodiversity under the pressure of fishing, global change and emerging uses, as well as to evaluate management strategies to ensure their sustainability and conservation. In a context of energy transition and the growing development of offshore infrastructure (offshore wind farms and coastal nuclear power plants in particular), the Channel is subject to a growing increase in anthropogenic pressures. Understanding, assessing and anticipating the impacts of these major developments on marine ecosystems is a scientific and societal priority.

The HMMN unit is structured around three main research objectives: (1) current state and productivity of resources and ecosystems, (2) fisheries of tomorrow and (3) cumulative impacts of anthropogenic activities, sharing observation tools on land and at sea. The research work of the HMMN unit supports the implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries and more generally to human maritime activities.

Under the responsibility of the head of the Port en Bessin fisheries laboratory within the "Channel North SEA Fisheries" unit, you will be in charge of research carried out within the 3rd objective aimed at assessing the impact of major developments on the exploited populations. You will be responsible for coordinating the fisheries component of the project Impact des Grands Aménagements (IGA-Ifremer-EDF contract) of nuclear power plants in the Channel, and will be involved in research and expertise actions aimed at assessing the impact of the development of offshore wind power and other anthropogenic activities on the populations exploited within the institute.

You will use long-series study methods and experimental design methodologies in ecology, such as Before (During) After Control Impact (B(D)ACI) approaches and their derivatives, to assess the effects of large developments before, during, and potentially after their periods of operation.

You will be asked to identify if changes are apparent within the fishing communities and, if so, to characterize them (regime changes, tipping points, feedbacks, resilience, etc.).

In this context, you will be responsible for coordinating the continuity of the IGA project's monitoring, mobilizing existing fisheries monitoring, and developing new monitoring that is most appropriate to answer these questions.

The expertise and research work carried out by the researcher will integrate other existing anthropogenic pressures in order to first distinguish the impacts strictly related to major developments from the impacts related to other pressures, and then to understand their potential synergies.

What will your activities be?

• Coordinate the monitoring of the IGA project (Impact des Grands Aménagements) in its fisheries component for the Penly, Paluel and Flamanville nuclear power plants: coordination of campaigns, data entry and qualification, drafting of deliverables, interaction with EDF, and associated scientific production. Participate in the associated embarkations
• Participate in the institute's expertise activities related to the development of marine renewable energies (MRE), and develop research projects to understand the impact of this development on fishing communities
• Contribute to the opinions issued in response to requests or referrals related to national (DGAMPA, local authorities) and international public policies in connection with major developments
• Develop and coordinate research projects on the direct and indirect impacts and cumulative effects of offshore developments on fisheries resources at different scales, by responding to national and international calls for tenders
• Promote scientific results through the writing of peer-reviewed articles, scientific opinions and referenced reports
• Participate in research training by supervising students (Masters, PhD students) and supporting post-doctoral students and technical staff.

How are your activities organised?

• Full-time
• Travel in France and abroad
• Embarkations

Le profil recherché

Who are you?

• PhD in Biology, Marine Ecology, Fisheries
• Post-doctoral or research experience.

You have the following skills, knowledge and experience:

• Advanced skills in statistical analysis and modelling;
• Knowledge of population dynamics
• Ability to manage large-scale research projects
• Ability to exploit results
• Fluency in English essential

You have the following qualities:

• Organization, autonomy, openness
• Team spirit

Infos complémentaires

How to apply? In a pdf file: CV and cover letter.

What are your benefits?

• We have a teleworking agreement and our staff have 12 comp time days and supra statutory leave.
• We allocate a significant budget to developing skills, through individual or collective training actions.
• We have a CSR policy inspired by the purposes of the institute (sustainable mobility allowance, etc.)

What are the next steps?

• Pre-qualification by telephone or videoconference
• Interview, during a recruitment committee meeting, with several interviewers
• Interview with the department head
• Application validated by management.