Postdoctoral Research Associate in mineralogy and marine geochemistry (M/F)

Postdoctoral Research Associate in mineralogy and marine geochemistry (M/F)

The UMR Geo-Ocean (www.geo-ocean.fr) is a joint research unit in marine geosciences, to which Ifremer contributes along with CNRS (with a main attachment to INSU), the University of Brest (UBO), and the University of South Brittany (UBS). Its multidisciplinary focus (geology, geophysics, geochemistry, sedimentology, cartography, etc.) covers the processes that shape the earth from past to present, from the coast to the deep sea. Geo-Ocean and its Biogeochemical Cycles and Resources (CYBER) team make a major contribution to the study of the deep sea, one of the priority themes of the Institute and the department (Physical Resources and Ecosystems of the Deep Sea (REM) to which UMR Geo-Ocean is attached.

Within this Unit, the Biogeochemical Cycles and Resources (CYBER) team is interested in the exchange of matter and energy between the oceanic lithosphere and the hydrosphere. Research activities on these different envelopes and their interfaces are carried out via geological, geochemical, and numerical approaches in order to understand the fluxes and transfer mechanisms from the deep subseafloor to the open ocean, and the formation of potential deep-sea resources (e.g., mineral resources, natural hydrogen). The team is also interested in the study of biogeochemical cycles of the deep ocean and the ancient Earth (e.g., metal cycles, CO2, methane). The team integrates a transversal technical component in the fields of in situ and ex situ physicochemical measurements, and the development of new biogeochemical tracers (proxies) in the water column, fluids, sediments, and rocks.

General areas of responsibility

This postdoctoral contract is part of the “LIFEDEEPER” Priority Research Program (Living Together in the Future: vulnerability of deep-sea ecosystems to the potential exploitation of mineral resources) funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of the “Ocean of Solutions” call for projects. This position is also part of the REMIMA project on potential deep-sea mineral resources and will benefit from data acquired during HERMINE's cruises carried out under the Exploration Contract signed between Ifremer and the International Seabed Authority.

The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Ewan Pelleter and Dr. Olivier Rouxel. Although short stays in partner institutions are possible, the main place of assignment will be the Ifremer Bretagne Center (Plouzané, Finistère).

Placed under the responsibility of the head of the CYBER team, you will work on low-temperature mineralization samples collected during the HERMINE, HERMINE2, and BICOSE3 oceanographic expeditions. The majority of the work will be focused on the TAG hydrothermal field, although several samples of interest located on extinct or weakly-active hydrothermal fields will also be considered. You will draw on data already acquired on “whole-rock” (XRF, XRD, ICPMS) to carry out mineralogical studies at the micrometric scale (SEM-EDS, Electron Probe, µ-XRD, RAMAN) coupled with isotopic studies (Cu, Ni). You will thus contribute to a better understanding of the mobilization/remobilization/trapping/export of metals during the maturation and aging processes of seafloor massive deposits (SMS). You will work in close collaboration with CYBER researchers and the LIFEDEEPER scientific consortium, in particular with microbiologists from UMR BEEP studying microbial activity associated with inactive and weakly-active SMS in the TAG hydrothermal field.

You should have skills in mineralogy and geochemistry, including solid experience of the analytical techniques used. Expertise in hydrothermal systems and formation of Fe-Mn-Si mineralization is also desirable. You will be responsible for:

• Detailed mineralogical study of Fe-Mn-Si mineralization associated with SMS deposits (optical microscopy, RAMAN, µ-XRD)
• Elemental geochemical analysis of these mineralization using SEM-EDS and electron probes to characterize metal-bearing phases (i.e. Cu, Ni)
• Cu, Ni isotopic analysis after microdrilling.
• Publication of the results in peer-reviewed journals.

Required education and experience

• Ph.D. in geosciences (obtained 3 years ago maximum)

Required knowledge, skills and characteristics

• Experience in mineralogy and/or metallogeny
• Expertise in isotopic geochemistry
• Knowledge in the field of geology of hydrothermal systems
• Research experience demonstrating an ability to publish research in international journals.
• Enthusiasm and personal drive
• Open-mindedness, interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team and at sea
• Scientific and technical curiosity, ability to evolve and train oneself and others
• Ability to synthesize and valorize results / write publications.

Specific working conditions

• Full time
• Possibility of embarquements

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Job details

Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate in mineralogy and marine geochemistry (M/F)

Published: 2025-03-24

Application Deadline: 2025-04-17 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

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