PhD position - Biology

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 60 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

La Rochelle Université recrute un doctorant pour une étude sur l'impact des parcs éoliens sur les phoques. Ce projet de 36 mois, basé à La Rochelle, implique l'analyse des données télémétriques pour déterminer comment la construction des éoliennes influence la faune marine. Une connaissance solide en biologie marine et des compétences en analyse statistique sont requises.

Qualifications

• Connaissance des mammifères marins, comportements et télémétrie pour l'étude environnementale.
• Compétences en recherche bibliographique et statistiques.
• Maîtrise de la rédaction scientifique en français et en anglais.

Responsabilités

• Étudier les comportements des phoques via télémétrie pendant la construction de parcs éoliens.
• Analyser les données sur les rythmes d'activité et les changements de comportement.
• Participer aux activités de recherche au sein du laboratoire.

Connaissances

biologie et écologie des mammifères marins

proficience en logiciel R

analyses quantitatives et statistiques

Formation

Diplôme de Master ou équivalent

Description du poste

Organisation/Company La Rochelle Université Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country France Application Deadline 25 Aug 2025 - 18:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

La Rochelle University is recruiting within the Pelagis Laboratory for a 3-year doctoral contract on the following thesis subject: Impact of offshore wind farm construction on the movements and activities of grey seals and marine calves in the English Channel.

Keywords:seals; telemetry; behaviour; noise pollution; habitat use; activity rhythms; statistical modelling

Why not join a bold and innovative university?

Since its creation in 1993, La Rochelle University has set out on a path of differentiation.

Thirty years later, as the university landscape recomposes itself, it continues to assert an original proposition, based on a strong identity and bold projects, in a human-scale establishment located in an exceptional setting.

Anchored in a region with very distinct coastal characteristics, La Rochelle University has turned this uniqueness into a genuine signature, in the service of a new model. Its research is focused on the theme of Urban, Sustainable and Intelligent Coastlines (LUDI).

The PELAGIS observatory ( https://www.observatoire-pelagis.cnrs.fr/ ) is a Research Support Unit (UAR) supervised by the CNRS and La Rochelle University. Its missions focus on the study and conservation of marine mammals and birds. Pelagis' missions are to :

- to design and implement French policy for monitoring the conservation status of marine mammal and seabird populations, either directly or by coordinating scientific and naturalist networks or by providing expertise and advice;

- to disseminate knowledge on the conservation status of marine mammal and bird populations in waters under French jurisdiction;

- to contribute to research into the role of these species in marine ecosystems and their interactions with human activities,

- to advise and support public policy on the conservation of marine mammals and birds.

Research context:

Faced with the challenges of climate change and energy independence, the proportion of electricity generated from renewable energy sources is set to increase significantly in France between now and 2030 (1). Part of this production will come from offshore wind farms: in the short term, the aim is to reach an installed capacity of 5.2 to 6.2 GW by 2028 (2). These construction projects are accompanied by environmental studies of the baseline conditions and monitoring of the impact of the work.

The Dieppe-Le Tréport offshore wind farm (3) is the result of the second call for tenders launched in 2013. Construction of the offshore wind turbines began in 2025. The subject of this thesis concerns part of the monitoring of the effects and impacts of this construction on the environment, and more specifically on two seal species that frequent the Bay of the Somme (located just over twenty kilometres from the proposed wind farm): grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus ) and harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina ).

The research project involves studying the behaviour and movements of the seals studied using telemetry (GPS/GSM tags) before and during the construction of the offshore wind turbines, in order to determine whether this phase of the work has led to significant changes in the seals' behaviour, and to characterise these changes where appropriate.

Telemetric data has been acquired on grey seals and harbour seals captured in the Bay of the Somme in order to describe their location and behaviour, both on land and at sea. The aim here is to study any variations in activity rhythms and movement zones that could be linked to the noise pollution and changes in habitat caused by the construction work on the wind turbines. To do this, detailed data on the seals' GPS locations, diving behaviour (sometimes including accelerometry recordings) and data characterising the environment were recorded and transmitted over several months on 45 individuals for an average of 3 to 6 months: 25 seals were tracked during the baseline period, before the works, and 20 individuals were tracked during the works period. Historical telemetric monitoring data is also available from the same study site in 2010 (10 harbour seals) and 2012 (12 grey seals).

In addition to the telemetry data, which is at the heart of this subject, other data relating to variations in resting place numbers, diet and stress levels will also be available on the seals in the colonies studied. However, most of the thesis work will consist of analysing the telemetric data from the seals, in particular on their use of the habitat at sea and their rhythms of activity. The aim will be to describe the individual and specific strategies of seals tracked by beacons and to identify whether significant changes in these strategies can be attributed to the construction work on offshore wind turbines.

Type of recruitment:

36-month doctoral contract based in La Rochelle (17) at the Pelagis Laboratory

Statutory remuneration for the doctoral contract: €2200 gross per month then €2300 gross per month from 01/01/2026.

You will be registered with the Doctoral School for the duration of your contract and will benefit from the training offered by the ED, in particular cross-disciplinary activities such as MT180, the doctoral students' colloquium, etc.

Recruitment open to anyone with an RQTH (Qualified Health and Disability certificate).

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Knowledge: biology and ecology of marine mammals (particularly pinnipeds),

Operational skills/know-how: proficiency in R software, bibliographical research and reading, scientific writing in French and English, quantitative and statistical analyses, etc.

Behavioural/life skills: teamwork; thoroughness;

• Master's transcripts (or equivalent diploma)
• proof of English language level (B2 minimum)

It may also include (optional) :

• letter(s) of recommendation
• previous work placement reports (Masters)

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED