Phd Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants Of Emerging Interest In Marine Organisms Of The Arcachon Bay Occurrence And Impact M - F H/F Ifremer
Nantes - 44 CDD- 2 300 € / mois
- Télétravail partiel
- 3 ans
- Bac +5
- Secteur Energie • Environnement
- Exp. - 1 an
Les missions du poste
Closure date for receipt of applications : 17/06/2025
Who are we?
Within Ifremer, the French national institute for ocean science and technology, the Chemical Contamination of Marine Ecosystems Unit (CCEM - https://ccem.ifremer.fr/en) develops research into the characterization of the ocean chemical exposome and its impact on marine organisms. Its objectives are to further our understanding of the dynamics of chemical contaminants in the marine environment, to study their transfer to and within marine organisms, their biological effects, and to assess marine environmental quality status and overall chemical risk. Participating in several French, European and international projects, the CCEM unit has a recognized expertise in studying the sources, fate and effects of hydrophobic organic contaminants in laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art preparative and analytical instrumentation.
The supervising team, composed of Y. Aminot and A. Barranger at CCEM (Ifremer, Nantes) and P. Labadie (UMR EPOC, Bordeaux), has a leading expertise in the scientific questions addressed within this doctoral project. The work is part of a fully funded research project supported by the Marine Natural Park of the Arcachon Bay (French Biodiversity Office, OFB).
What is the subject of the thesis?
Among the vast diversity of organic molecules constituting the chemical exposome of marine organisms, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and organophosphate esters (OPEs) are contaminants of emerging concern with respect to persistence, bioaccumulation and ecotoxicity. Biomonitoring of these contaminants by Ifremer revealed their widespread occurrence along the French coasts, including in the Arcachon Bay, the site of study for this thesis. Remarkable for its ecological richness, this lagoon is still subject to various anthropogenic pressures that can affect its balance. The upper parts of the bay, with a lower water renewal rate, are more vulnerable to pressures from the upstream watersheds (agriculture, urban waste) while its coasts are subject to pressures linked to nautical activities, shellfish farming, fishing, tourism, etc.
In order to better understand the occurrence, trophic fate and the impacts of PFAS and OPEs, your objectives will BE to : (1) assess the chemical burden of species representative of the Arcachon Bay biodiversity; (2) examine their potential trophic transfer; (3) study the effects of these chemical contaminants on two species of ecological and commercial interest, the European SEA bass Dicentrarchus labrax and the oyster Crassostrea gigas.
What will your mission BE?
To address the objectives listed above, you will conduct sampling of species of the Arcachon Bay and analyse the chemical contaminants (PFAS, OPE) accumulated in these organisms using previously validated targeted methods based on extraction, sample purification, liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The study of possible trophic transfer will reveal the behaviour of the compounds of interest in this coastal ecosystem.
You will also develop and implement in vitro cell culture approaches to assess the toxicity and mechanisms of action of these compounds using molecular and cellular approaches, and to characterize their biotransformation.
Altogether, these data will allow a better characterisation of the vulnerabilities of the Arcachon Bay towards the contaminants of interest, ultimately providing local authorities with robust data allowing a sustainable management of the environment.
In a global context of both furthering our understanding of the chemical exposome and developing innovative tools to assess the effects of contaminants, this doctoral project addresses key questions in contaminant science and in state-of-the-art method refinement.
This thesis will give you the opportunity to develop a unique dual competence in both organic contaminant biogeochemistry and marine ecotoxicology.
What will your activities BE?
Sampling :
Design of a sampling plan, conduct sampling campaigns
Chemical analyses :
Implementation of several contaminant analysis protocols (PFAS and OPE) including preparation, extraction, purification, analysis and quantification (LC-MS/MS / LC-HRMS)
Cell cultures :
Development and optimisation of cell cultures on oysters, implementation of cell cultures of SEA bass hepatocytes. Conduct of exposure and effects assessment experiments.
Development and implementation of tests in cell and molecular biology (e.g., plate tests, fluorescence microscopy analyses for cell marker expression, flow cytometry, omics approaches, etc.)
Interpretation of data, communication and publication :
Integration and statistical analysis of all results, presentations to project partners and at national and international conferences, writing of scientific articles
Key words
Contaminants of emerging concern, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, bioaccumulation, trophic transfer, cell cultures, biotransformation, biological effects, mechanisms of action, omics approaches
How are your activities organised
- Full time (100%) position
- Position based in Ifremer, Nantes
- There will BE subsidised fieldwork in Arcachon
- Occasional trips to attend seminars or congresses in France and abroad
- Occasional working from home possible outside laboratory phases
Le profil recherché
Who are you?
You have the following skills, knowledge and experience :
- Master level
- Specialisation in marine sciences, environmental chemistry, ecotoxicology
- Analytical techniques for organic contaminants
- Knowledge of cell biology, molecular biology
- Bioinformatics - Data Analyses
- This interdisciplinary project requires a dual interest in analytical chemistry and marine biology.
You have the following qualities :
- Interest in laboratory work
- Interest in fieldwork
- Scientific curiosity
- Good communication
- Good level of English and French
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
What are your benefits?
- A PhD studentship is a strong opportunity to work on Ifremer's scientific and technological priority themes. IT entitles the holder to a gross monthly salary of 2300 Euros for a period of 3 years, which cannot BE combined with other scholarships.
- 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.)
How to apply for this position?
Your application file must include :
- A curriculum vitae
- A cover letter
- A reference letter
- An academic transcript (Bachelor + Master 1 and first semester Master 2)
Your application must BE compiled into 1 PDF files.
The deadline for application is June 17th, 2025. However, we strongly invite you to inform us as soon as possible of your intention to apply, by contacting : Yann Aminot and Audrey Barranger.
Doctoral students' contracts will start as of October 6th, 2025, subject to the submission of administrative documents authorizing Ifremer to recruit the doctoral student (certificate of completion of the Master 2 or engineering degree + visa for foreign doctoral students outside the EU).
What are the next steps?
A few candidates will BE shortlisted for an interview (video interview possible) with the supervising team. IT will BE an opportunity to showcase your motivation for the position, your track record and your knowledge and understanding of the topic.
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