We are looking for a postdoc in experimental microbiology and ecology of microbial communities. The post-doctoral fellow will design and conduct microbiological experiments in the laboratory and in the field to determine the role of plastic microparticles as structuring agents for marine microbial communities, as vector for pathogenic bacteria, and as agents concentrating antibiotic resistance genes and promoting their exchange by horizontal transfer.

Required skills:

• Knowledge of evolutionary and community ecology.
• Experience in NGS data analysis (metagenomics, whole genome sequencing, shot-gun sequencing).
• Basic techniques in microbiology.
• Experience in flow cytometry, bacterial genetic constructs or sampling of bacterial communities in aquatic environments will be a plus.

Information about the postdoc and research environment:

The post-doctoral fellow will work in the framework of the European Imptox project within the Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology team at the Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (CEFE) in Montpellier, France.

The CEFE is the largest French laboratory for ecology and evolution and gathers several groups dedicated to evolutionary ecology. The Genetics and Evolutionary Ecology team is a very dynamic and stimulating scientific environment, with 11 permanent researchers and 10 to 15 PhD and post-doctoral students, working on topics ranging from the evolution of reproductive systems and life history traits, adaptation to changing environments, speciation or community ecology and evolution. Montpellier has a large and vibrant scientific community in evolutionary biology, ecology and marine biology.

Imptox brings together 12 European partners (universities and research institutes) in an interdisciplinary project whose aim is to study the effect and toxicity of micro and nanoplastics combined with environmental contaminants on the risk of allergic disease. The work package in which the post-doctoral fellow will be involved will be realized in collaboration with the universities of Ghent and Leuven.

The initial contract is for 24 months and will be renewable for one year. For reasons of project organization, it is imperative that the postdoc starts between April 1st and May 31st.

Application:

Apply thought this link, and include a CV, a motivation letter and a list of three people to contact for recommendation.

Inquiries:

Informal inquiries on the position can be addressed to Stéphanie Bedhomme (stephanie.bedhomme@cefe.cnrs.fr) and Martijn Callens (martijn.callens@cefe.cnrs.fr).