Job Information
Organisation/Company: Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography
Research Field: Biological sciences » Other
Environmental science » Ecology
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Master Positions
Application Deadline: 15 Oct 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris)
Country: France
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Negotiable
Hours Per Week: 33
Offer Starting Date: 1 Jan 2026
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Other EU programme
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
Abstract: Dormancy is one of the key adaptive strategies employed by microorganisms to withstand unfavourable environmental changes. Glacier ecosystems experience environmental fluctuations during periods of freezing which can extend from hours up to thousands of years, thus providing ideal natural settings to investigate dormancy in bacterial populations. Given the polar regions' exceptional vulnerability to anthropogenic climate change, these ecosystems offer a critical perspective on how environmental alterations drive microbial state transitions, with cascading effects on ecological functions and biogeochemical cycles.
Aim: The objective of the master’s project is to investigate the impact of stress conditions including freeze-thaw cycles and nutrient depletion on the survival and activity of microorganisms in the cryosphere.
The student will perform controlled freeze-thaw experiments on environmental samples to simulate natural stress conditions. Microbial activity will be assessed using a range of techniques, including RedoxSensor Green (RSG), BONCAT (Bioorthogonal Non-Canonical Amino Acid Tagging) and other viability markers, further differentiated through fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Following cell-sorting, the student will co-extract DNA and RNA for metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing, providing insights into the functional potential and gene expression changes in response to repeated stress.
The results will contribute to understanding microbial adaptation strategies in cold environments and their implications for global biogeochemical cycles under climate change. This is particularly important as more winter warming and rain events have been recorded in the arctic [5], increasing the frequency of freeze-thaw events, thus potentially affecting the dynamics of microbial communities in snow and ice.
Work context:
- You will work on a cutting-edge topic related to the glacier ecosystem and to global climate change.
- You will join a large international multidisciplinary team of microbiologists, biogeochemists, and Earth system scientists.
- You will receive a stipend in accordance with current regulations.
Eligibility Criteria:
The candidate must have validated a first year of Master studies in a relevant natural science discipline (e.g. microbiology, biology, ecology).
Required skills:
The student must have a working knowledge of microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or cellular processes. The student must have basic knowledge of microbiology lab practices, including sterile techniques and basic microscopy. Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, bioinformatics) or flow cytometry is an advantage. The candidate should be proactive and capable of working independently, as well as working harmoniously as part of a team. The working language is English and thus fluency in the English language is required.
How to apply:
Send your CV and cover letter (in english) to James Bradley ([contact details available in the full listing]) and Rey Mourot ([contact details available in the full listing]). The cover letter (maximum 2 pages) should state your motivation for applying to this position, research interests, relevant skills, training and experience.
Please send your application materials as soon as possible, and especially before the 15th of October.
Where to apply
E-mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
Requirements
Research Field: Biological sciences » Other
Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
The student must have a working knowledge of microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or cellular processes. The student must have basic knowledge of microbiology lab practices, including sterile techniques and basic microscopy. Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., DNA extraction, PCR, bioinformatics) or flow cytometry is an advantage. The candidate should be proactive and capable of working independently, as well as working harmoniously as part of a team. The working language is English and thus fluency in the English language is required.
Languages: ENGLISH
Research Field: Biological sciences
Additional Information
Website for additional job details: https://www.jbradleylab.com/
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography
Country: France
City: Marseille
Geofield
Contact
City: Marseille
Website: https://www.jbradleylab.com/
Street: 163 avenue de Luminy - Bâtiment Méditerranée
Postal Code: 13009
