Postdoc in Analytical chemistry / Biochemistry of seafood and Marine ecology - Fatty acid profi[...]

Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences

Environmental science » Natural resources management

Organisation/Company: University of Artois

Department: Faculty of Science

Research Field: Chemistry » Analytical chemistry, Chemistry » Biochemistry, Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences, Environmental science » Natural resources management

Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2), Established Researcher (R3)

Positions: Postdoc Positions

Country: France

Application Deadline: 24 Apr 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 35

Offer Starting Date: 1 May 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? Yes

Offer Description

About us

The BioEcoAgro Joint Cross-Border Research Unit is a new structure which brings together around 400 researchers, technicians and PhD students from both sides of the Franco-Belgian border. Its ambition is to develop an international center of excellence in the field of biological engineering applied to agriculture, biotechnology, agri-food and the environment. UMRT BioEcoAgro Artois site belongs to the cluster 3 and specifically to the Team 9 "Structure-function relationship at the service of the reasoned formulation of food and ingredients".

Our research

Controlling the quality of ingredients / food is a societal issue, but also represents a major concern for the food industry and public authorities. This context confronts researchers with different scientific challenges such as the search for new functionality of ingredients, the reasoned formulation and clean label sought by consumers.

Our approach consists in taking into account the entire life of a food from the raw material used to prepare it to its consumption. This approach combines scientific skills in basic research with those in applied research in order to dissect and even investigate the different physico-chemical mechanisms governing the evolution of the organoleptic, textural and nutritional qualities of a food. This is why our research activities focus on three axes which, by an integrated and rational approach, allow the development of food products of high added value.

1. Axis 1: Variability of raw materials and their sources
2. Axis 2: Techno-functional ingredients: structure-function relationship
3. Axis 3: Impact of formulation, manufacturing process and storage conditions on food quality

UMRT BioEcoAgro Artois site is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to investigate the molecular mechanisms regulating the metabolism of lipids in small pelagic fish in the framework of C3PO project. The researcher will be appointed to this project and asked to achieve all tasks envisaged.

The project aims to uncover the study of small pelagic fish, which are widely harvested for commercial purposes, and essential for global food security and aquaculture due to their rich nutrient content, particularly omega-3 fatty acids. These fish also play a pivotal role in marine ecosystems, serving as prey for larger species and contributing to ecosystem balance. Small pelagic fish often exhibit complex migration patterns, spawning in specific locations and undergoing extensive movements throughout their life stages. These migrations are influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, currents, and prey availability, as well as fishing and non-fishing anthropogenic pressures. C-3PO aims to understand future trajectories of small pelagics in the English Channel and the Southern North Sea (EC-SNS), in relation to global climate change. We are looking for a candidate able to work at the intersection of analytical chemistry/biochemistry and fisheries ecology, combining skills in lipid profiling and analysis of marine ecological dynamics, in order to analyze the impact of environmental factors on their metabolism and dynamics in the context of global climate change.

The candidate will have access to state-of-the art facilities and work within a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment that integrates food sciences, analytical chemistry, food biochemistry, lipid technology, food engineering and chemometrics. Our laboratory closely collaborates with IFREMER Boulogne sur Mer and other partners within the framework of this recruitment. In this context, skills in fisheries will be essential, as well as mastery of statistical data analysis in order to explore the links between the environment and the biological responses of species.

We are looking for a serious candidate to achieve the following missions in the framework of the C3P-O project:

1. Creation and updating of the state of the art in the theme of fatty acid profiling of small pelagic fish (sardines and herring), on the different analytical techniques that will be used with the project (chromatographic techniques, and spectral techniques)
2. Development of sample preparation protocols for analysis
3. Development of spectral analytical method (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) and chromatographic methods coupled with mass spectrometry (SPME/DHS-GCMS) for profiling lipids extracted from small pelagic fish
4. Participation in the HERAS scientific campaign for the collection of herring and their prey for analysis
5. Spatial analysis of relationships between environmental parameters and processes influencing the transfer of fatty acids from zooplankton to herring
6. Exploit, interpret and present analysis results
7. Assist the work package leader in managing all scheduled tasks within the project
8. Writing of reports, technical reports, and scientific publications

Job-related activities

• Periodically inspect and adjust equipment to maintain its performance.
• Prospect via email and telephone for quotes for the purchase of consumables and laboratory equipment, in consultation with members of the UMRT BioEcoAgro Artois site, Team 9.
• Contribute to the management of consumable inventories (solvents, chemicals, small equipment, etc.) in collaboration and interaction with the team's members (researchers, engineers, and lecturer-researchers).
• Diagnose and resolve common operating anomalies; manage maintenance operations in conjunction with suppliers.
• Liaise between the UMRT BioEcoAgro Artois site and IFREMER Boulogne-sur-Mer and other partners within the C3P-Eaux project to share results.

• Participate in the HERAS scientific campaign, including boarding the vessel to collect herring and their prey, as well as assisting with logistics for the repatriation and preservation of samples for analysis.
• Participate in daily laboratory activities (seminars, training sessions, etc.)
• Monitor the evolution of health and safety regulations and ensure their implementation in conjunction with the prevention assistant.

Required qualifications

1. PhD in Food Science and Technology, Analytical chemistry, Food chemistry, Food biochemistry, Sea products, Agri-Food Engineering, marine biology, fisheries or related fields
2. Experience in applied research in particularly in food composition, structure and quality
3. Experience in analyzing spatio-temporal data applied to marine ecosystems, particularly via statistical models (GLM, GAM), multivariate analyses and GIS
4. Proven ability to transfer knowledge and communicate/disseminate scientific results to both academic and industry audiences
5. High proficiency in English

Desirable skills and experience

1. Expertise in the use of GCMS and other spectral methods for lipid profiling
2. Expertise in the sea products (production, processing, quality, traceability, sustainability)
3. Experience in analyzing spatio-temporal data applied to marine ecosystems, particularly via statistical models (GLM, GAM), multivariate analyses and GIS
4. Experience in collaborative projects between universities, research centers, and companies
5. Familiarity with food composition and quality analysis tools
6. Skills and expertise in isotopic analyses (13C and 2D NMR) and use of other spectral methods such as NMR spectroscopy, Fluorescence spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy will be an asset
7. Strong communication skills for scientific dissemination in various formats (conferences, articles, posters, technical reports, social media)
8. Ability to design and manage research projects
9. Teamwork and interpersonal skills to collaborate with researchers, companies, and industry organizations.

Other informations

The postdoc may be required to carry out manipulations between two sites, which are geographically very close, during the contract. During the data exploitation phase, aimed at linking lipid profiles to environmental conditions, short stays at IFREMER Boulogne-sur-Mer will be considered.

Terms of employment

This employment as postdoc is a full-time position for 23 months. Starting date is May 01 2025, or after agreement.

Your application must be submitted either in ENGLISH or in FRENCH to the link below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments - all in PDF format:

1. Cover letter expressing the motivation and previous research experience of the applicant (max. one page)
2. Copy of the PhD degree certificate and the Master's degree certificate
3. List of publications by highlighting those in which the candidate is the first author or corresponding author
4. For applicants who are not English native speakers, please provide a document certifying your proficiency of English (TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, etc.)
5. References (name and contact details of at least two references)

Research Field: Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Environmental science » Ecology

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Languages: ENGLISH Level Excellent

Languages: FRENCH Level Excellent

Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry, Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences, Environmental science » Natural resources management

Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Research Field: Chemistry » Analytical chemistry

Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10

Additional Information

Selection process:

Selection based on the quality of the application file
Interview

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: UMRT BioEcoAgro Artois site / University of Artois

Country: France

City: Saint Laurent Blangy

Postal Code: 62223

Street: 700 Avenue Immercourt