Postdoc M/F : Microbial photosynthetic activity in clouds

CNRS; France; Sur place; EUR 35 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research organization in France seeks a motivated researcher to explore photosynthetic activity in clouds. Joining the BioAdapt team, you will engage in cloud sampling, data analysis, and contribute to scientific publications. Ideal candidates will have a recent Ph.D. in environmental microbiology and strong research skills. This full-time temporary position requires proficiency in microbiological techniques and analytical methods.

Responsabilités

• Explore photosynthetic activity in clouds.
• Participate in cloud sampling operations.
• Contribute to analysis and interpretation of data.

Connaissances

General knowledge of microbiology and microbial physiology

Work in sterile conditions

Collection of environmental samples

Microbial cultures (phototrophic)

Measurement of enzymatic activities

Microscopy

Flow cytometry

Metagenomics/qPCR

Bioinformatics/analysis of DNA sequencing data

Analytical chemistry; isotopic methods

Statistical analyses

Writing of publications in English

Formation

Doctoral thesis in environmental microbiology or related field

Description du poste

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Laboratoire microorganismes : génome et environnement Research Field Environmental science Biological sciences Geosciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Country France Application Deadline 28 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 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

The person recruited will join the LMGE laboratory (UMR 6023 CNRS, BioAdapt team). The aim is to explore photosynthetic activity and primary production in clouds. It has been shown that clouds are home to a wide variety of living micro-organisms (bacteria, fungi, algae, etc.), whose heterotrophic activity contributes to the chemistry of organic carbon. The aim here is to explore autotrophic processes (carbon fixation by photosynthesis), in order to estimate the carbon sink/source effect linked to the cloud microbiota, and its dependence on environmental variables.

The person recruited will participate in cloud sampling operations from the Puy de Dôme atmospheric station, in the design, organisation and execution of analyses and experiments, in the analysis and interpretation of data, and will contribute to their communication (publications, conferences). The research activities and objectives are to :

• Document the abundance and diversity of phototrophs in clouds, with a focus on diatoms, their pigments and their potential for photosynthetic activity, using cultural and molecular approaches (e.g. metagenomics, quantitative PCR), flow cytometry and fluorescence methods (e.g. phytopam);
• Assess the potential for photosynthetic activity in clouds, via the study of isolates (dependence on light intensity, temperature, etc);
• To provide a quantitative estimate of the extent of photosynthetic activity in clouds, in terms of carbon flux, using microcosm approaches involving natural cloud water and the use of methods such as stable isotope enrichment.

The person recruited will join the BioAdapt team at the LMGE (Laboratoire Microorganismes : Génome et Environnement, UMR6023 CNRS UCA, Clermont-ferrand, France), a microbiology/microbial ecology laboratory, and will work closely with partner LaMP (Laboratoire de Météorologie Physique, UMR6016 CNRS UCA, Clermont-ferrand, France) for cloud sampling operations at the Puy de Dôme summit atmospheric station, and EABX (Écosystèmes aquatiques et changements globaux, UR INRAE, Bordeaux, France) for the study of isolated microorganisms and their genetic and physiological characteristics.

The following references can be consulted for examples of recent work by the host teams:

• Comparative analysis of bacterial diversity in clouds and aerosols : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.119635
• Clouds influence the functioning of airborne microorganisms : https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-1257-2025
• Cyanobacteria and algae in clouds and rain in the area of puy de Dôme, Central France : https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.01850-20
• Assessing the efficiency of water-soluble organic compound biodegradation in clouds under various environmental conditions : https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ea00153e
• Bacterial contribution to nitrogen processing in the atmosphere : https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3534
• Microorganisms in the air through the lenses of atmospheric chemistry and microphysics : https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-243-2025

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a proven track record of scientific achievement through publications in international journals and communications. Candidates must have defended a doctoral thesis in environmental microbiology or a closely related scientific field within the last 2 years, with skills among :

• General knowledge of microbiology and microbial physiology
• Work in sterile conditions
• Collection of environmental samples
• Microbial cultures (phototrophic)
• Measurement of enzymatic activities, physiological and metabolic analyses
• Microscopy, flow cytometry
• Metagenomics/ qPCR
• Bioinformatics/ analysis of DNA sequencing data
• Analytical chemistry; isotopic methods
• Statistical analyses
• Writing of publications in English