Professor – Functional Ecology

Grenoble, France

2026-04-02 (Europe/Paris)

Euraxess research field: Biodiversity, Ecology, Global change

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Expected skills:

Applicants must show a strong interest in teaching as well as a high-level scientific record in accordance with UGA’s ambitions. They must identify with UGA’s values, that is, being open to the world, emphasizing ethics and scientific integrity, showing an interest in teamwork and being committed to the community. They should also have a sense of responsibility, in particular with regard to environmental and social issues.

Context and educational objectives:

The professor appointed within the Chemistry and Biology Department will play an active role in teaching activities at Master’s level (Years 1 and 2) in particular in the Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution (BEE) programme, as well as in undergraduate biology courses that prepare students for entry into this track. Teaching duties will cover functional ecology, biogeochemistry, community ecology, and ecosystem disturbances in terrestrial and aquatic environments associated with global change, with a strong focus on training through and for research. The successful candidate will be required to contribute to core undergraduate teaching in ecology, in particular community and ecosystem ecology, in connection with courses designed to prepare students for the BEE Master’s programme. At Master’s level, the successful candidate will deliver specialised teaching aligned with their expertise, particularly in functional ecology, with a strong field- and laboratory-based component. The position requires proven experience in the design of teaching resources, the development of externally funded projects to support education, and the implementation of innovative pedagogical approaches. The successful candidate must demonstrate the capacity to assume pedagogical responsibilities and to coordinate courses, while ensuring close articulation between teaching activities and research themes. They should demonstrate a clear commitment to strengthening the integration of teaching and research, and to promoting student engagement in experimental approaches.

Research project and scientific impact:

Functional Ecology – The recruited professor will develop a research program in functional ecology, focusing on the role of microbial biodiversity in ecosystem functioning and resilience in the face of global changes. They must demonstrate recognised expertise in the study of microbial communities and their biogeochemical functions (decomposition, nutrient cycling, carbon fluxes), in relation to biodiversity dynamics at different levels of organisation (from the gene to the ecosystem).

The expected research will address major challenges in understanding the effects of climate change and land use on biodiversity and ecosystem functions, the role of biotic and abiotic interactions in ecosystem structuring, and the functional characterisation of biodiversity with the aim of predicting ecosystem responses. As a member of the BIOM team at LECA, the successful candidate will conduct research on the role of microbial communities in key ecosystem functions (organic matter decomposition, nutrient recycling, greenhouse gas emissions, regulation of carbon fluxes), in relation to plant and animal biodiversity dynamics. They will explore the biotic and abiotic interactions that regulate the structure and functions of microbial communities in environments subjected to climatic stresses (droughts, reduced snow cover, etc.) and anthropogenic pressures (land-use changes, pollution). The research will rely on a combination of multi-scale experimental approaches (laboratory, mesocosms, field), large-scale spatial monitoring, and the use of high-throughput techniques (e.g., environmental DNA, metagenomics) to characterise microbial functional diversity and its links to ecosystem resilience.

In a context of unprecedented global environmental changes (climate change, land-use modifications, pollution), it has become imperative to better understand their effects on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the associated ecosystem services. Université Grenoble Alpes, with its strong international visibility in geosciences and environmental sciences, plays a central role in this large-scale research effort, as demonstrated by its contribution to IPCC and IPBES reports. LECA, a laboratory at the heart of this dynamic, has recognised expertise in functional ecology, biogeochemistry, evolution, and modeling, enabling it to address in an integrated manner the complex interactions between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Despite this richness, some key research themes remain supported by a limited number of researchers, particularly Professors and Associate Professors who are heavily invested both in high-level research and in teaching and institutional responsibilities. Strengthening these competencies is therefore crucial to deepen our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms involved in the response of socio-ecosystems to global disturbances, and to consolidate in a sustainable way UGA’s contributions to these major scientific and societal challenges.

Information for candidates :

• Université Grenoble Alpes recruits on the basis of skills and makes use of all talents. It encourages applicants with disabilities to apply for teaching and research positions.
• Senior lecturers and professors are required to reside at the place where they perform their duties (Art. 5 of Decree No. 84-431 of June 6, 1984).
• HRS4R certified and committed to an OTM-R (Open, Transparent, and Merit-based Recruitment) approach, the University of Grenoble Alpes recruits on the merits of candidates and in accordance with a transparent procedure.

Job details

Title
Professor – Functional Ecology

Employer
Université Grenoble Alpes

Location
621 avenue Centrale Grenoble, France

Published
2026-03-13

Application deadline
2026-04-02 16:00 (Europe/Paris)
2026-04-02 16:00 (CET)

Job type
Professor

Field
Ecology, , Microbiology, , Environmental Science,