Post-Doctoral Position in Microbial Ecology M/F

Role: Post-Doctoral Position in Microbial Ecology M/F
Organization: CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research, Institut des Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans (ISTO)
Location: Orléans, France
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time (35 hours/week)
Start Date: 1 Sep 2026
Application Deadline: 26 Jun 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)

Job Overview:
The post-doctoral researcher will contribute to the TICAR project (funded by the French National Research Agency) by developing an approach combining enzymatic and molecular tracers to study the role of microbial activity in the interactions between the carbon and iron cycles in the source zones of tropical black streams and rivers. The main objective is to identify new Fe–C metabolism tracers and characterize the microbial mechanisms involved in the storage or mobilization of iron and carbon, depending on environmental conditions and seasonal variations. This position is part of a Franco-Brazilian consortium studying the role of tropical wetlands, particularly Amazonian black rivers, in the carbon cycle to improve global climate models.

Responsibilities:
- Participate in the collection and selection of priority samples (water/sediments) from the different tasks of the TICAR project.
- Perform enzymatic analyses to assess microbial activity associated with organic matter degradation, including measuring the activities of β-glucosidase and phenol oxidase using fluorimetric and colorimetric methods adapted to the studied environmental matrices.
- Implement molecular biology approaches to identify microorganisms involved in iron oxidation and reduction processes.
- Carry out the extraction of environmental DNA and RNA.
- Conduct microbial diversity analyses via 16S metabarcoding.
- Quantify functional genes involved in iron redox processes and iron absorption by plants using qPCR.
- Focus on shotgun metagenomic analysis of selected samples to characterize the overall metabolic potential of microbial communities.
- Participate in the integrated interpretation of generated data alongside geochemical and isotopic data measured by project partners to identify new tracers of coupled Fe-carbon metabolism.
- Contribute to the scientific valorization of results through drafting reports, scientific publications, and participation in meetings and exchanges with project partners.

Requirements and Qualifications:
- Education: PhD or equivalent in environmental microbiology.
- Experience: 4-10 years of research experience in Geosciences and/or Biological sciences.
- Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in enzymatic and molecular microbiological techniques is essential. Experience in one or both of these techniques is highly valued.
- Soft Skills: Autonomy, rigor, ability to acquire new techniques, critical thinking, and capacity to work in an international team at the interface between different disciplines.
- Language: Basic French.

What They Offer:
- The position is based at ISTO (Orléans).
- Access to microbiology facilities for molecular and microbiological analyses provided by BRGM under institutional agreements.
- Opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team of 35 scientists from laboratories in France (GET, ISTO, IMPMC, IPGP, Biogéosciences) and Brazil (Department of Geosciences and Geography, Institute of Geosciences), associated with the National Observation Service of the Amazon Basin (HYBAM).