Postdoc in microbial ecology

The institut de physique du globe de Paris

A world-renowned geosciences organisation, the IPGP is associated with the CNRS and an integrated institute of the Université Paris Cité. Bringing together more than 500 people, the IPGP studies the Earth and the planets from the core to the most superficial fluid envelopes, through observation, experimentation and modelling.

The research aeras are structured through 4 main unifying themes: Interiors of the Earth and Planets, Natural Hazards, Earth System and Origins.

The IPGP is in charge of labelled observation services in volcanology, seismology, magnetism, gravimetry and erosion. And the IPGP’s permanent observatories monitor the four active French overseas volcanoes in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and Mayotte.

The IPGP hosts powerful computing resources and state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities and benefits from first-class technical support. The IPGP provides its students with geosciences training that combine observation, quantitative analysis and modelling, and that reflects the quality, richness and thematic diversity of the research conducted by the IPGP teams.

Team CAGE

The CAGE team (Cosmochemistry, Astrophysics, and Experimental Geophysics) brings together researchers and faculty members united by a primary research focus on the formation and early evolution of the solar system, the Earth’s formation, differentiation, and ancient geological history.

The uniqueness of this team lies in its integration of diverse approaches and expertise to address a common question: our origins. Their work encompasses astrophysical numerical modeling, studies of extraterrestrial matter, isotopic geochemistry, mineralogy, high-temperature and/or high-pressure experimentation, and physico-chemical modeling.

Team members are deeply involved in experimental development at the IPGP (piston-cylinder and multi-anvil presses, laser-heated diamond anvil cells, aerodynamic levitation laser furnaces with controlled atmospheres, SEM, FEG, FIB) and in analytical development on IPGP mass spectrometers (MC-ICPMS Neptune, TIMS, Noblesse for noble gases, and in situ analysis coupled with laser ablation). They have regular access to ion probes from the national INSU service at the CRPG in Nancy and various synchrotron light sources (ESRF, APS, DESY). Numerical simulations are conducted on two computing clusters and the S-Capad system at the IPGP.

In addition to cosmochemistry projects, team members pursue other research themes, ranging from chemical geodynamics and Archean Earth studies to major geochemical cycles, the structure and physico-chemical properties of deep Earth minerals and rocks, and the application of isotopes in medicine.

Missions

> Presentation of the mission within the context: Implementation of the microbial ecology aspects of the MESSENGER project: “Can rock-powered Microbial EcoSyStEms provide valuable iNsiGhts into early life and its emERgence?” funded by the PEPR ORIGINS (https://pepr-origins.fr/) and integration of microbial ecology results in mineralized environments into the petrology and thermodynamic modeling aspects conducted in the Aosta Valley (Italy).

This project involves 6 researchers and research engineers from the LOMs and Natural Sites Physics teams at IPGP and is conducted in collaboration with the “Evolutionary Biology of Microbial Cells” team at the Institut Pasteur.

> Number of positions: 1

> Position with responsibility: The postdoctoral researcher may be required to supervise the work of interns or PhD students.

> For researchers: Research project within the framework of the LabEx UnivEarthS.

Activities

> Description of the activities : Field sampling and measurements,

Acquisition and processing of microbial ecology data (genomics and metagenomics),

Acquisition and processing of microimaging data,

Integration of microbial ecology data and environmental metadata, followed by petrological and thermodynamic data,

Writing scientific publications,

Writing progress and final project reports, and presenting project updates.

Expected Skills

> Knowledge: The candidate must be familiar with the latest conceptual and technical developments in subsurface microbial ecology.

> Skills: Microbial ecology of subsurface mineralized environments (genomics and metagenomics), environmental geochemistry and mineralogy, bioinformatics for DNA sequence analysis.

> Personal qualities: The candidate must demonstrate a strong interest in teamwork and interdisciplinarity.

Obligations and risks

> Working hours: Standard full-time hours, Monday to Friday.

> Travel: Conferences and collaboration meetings in France and abroad.

Training and experience required

> Minimum of 5 years experience

> Education level or diploma

How to apply

> CV and cover letter

> Deadlines for applications

> Contacts (2 contacts are required for the interview): Bénédicte Menez ()