Offer Description
- Key words: socio-ecosystems, global change, critical zone, interface, Africa, Mediterranean, observations
- Planned tenured position as IRD Research Director after a 3 to 6 years contract
- Chair attached to the joint research unit CEREGE Centre de recherche et d’enseignement
des géosciences de l’environnement (CNRS, Aix Marseille Université, IRD, INRAe, Collège de France).
Context and stakes for the Global South
Studying the critical zone enables us to understand the processes governing major continental energy and biogeochemical cycles, ecosystem dynamics and the evolution of natural resources. An integrated scientific understanding of the earth system and social systems – and their interfaces – is needed to find solutions to the social, health and environmental challenges facing developing countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The successful candidate will be expected to develop new research projects at the interface between the earth sciences and the humanities, in co-construction with partners in the South, on targeted sites, with technical and methodological developments and a significant training activity.
Scientific objectives
As part of an interdisciplinary approach, CEREGE aims to study the evolution of the critical zone in the African intertropical and Mediterranean regions. Changes in climate, biodiversity and growing anthropogenic pressures are key factors in the evolution of the critical zone. At the same time, the medium- and long-term evolution of the critical zone has an impact on climate, biodiversity and the way societies function.
The profile sought is that of a geoscientist specializing in bio-geochemical processes and/or mineral-living interactions in the critical zone at the soil-plant-atmosphere and surface water-atmosphere interfaces. The PJ will study the evolution of fluxes (water, carbon, metals, nutrients, pollutants) at the soil-plant-atmosphere or atmosphere-surface water interface, and/or contribute to a better characterization of the mineral-living interface. His work should involve the use of innovative markers and/or modeling. He/she will seek to study different spatial scales (landscapes, watersheds, regions versus micro- and nanoscales) and temporal scales (from the Quaternary to abrupt and/or extreme events). He/she will be involved in the geomorphological, geological, climatic and/or socio-environmental observation and acquisition activities that are part of CEREGE’s core business. The following areas may be developed:
– Characterization of flows (water, carbon, metals, nutrients, pollutants) and processes at the soil-plant-atmosphere or atmosphere-surface water interface.
– Characterization of chemical weathering processes and kinetics, bio-tic-abiotic precipitation and organo-mineral co-precipitation.
– Field and experimental geochemical or geological measurements linked to global models of earth system and atmosphere evolution.
– Production of records of continuous evolution and/or rapid events (e.g. erosive events, floods, pollution).
The JP will be committed to operationalizing his/her research in partnership with actors in the field in the South, on the societal implications of his/her research. The impacts of the evolution of the critical zone on socio-ecosystems, and solutions for remediation or adaptation, will be an integral part of his/her activity. The scientific project will have to demonstrate a solid foundation and experience in interdisciplinary approaches and in the societal translation of the work carried out.
Teaching objectives
The person recruited will be responsible for developing a teaching unit within the OSU’s training programs. The Master STPE (Geosciences course), the Master Sciences de l’Eau (HydroGEAU course) and the Master GEE (Gestions des Sols et Déchets Pollués course) are particularly well-suited to interdisciplinary training in soil sciences, georesources and the Anthropocene. The person recruited will also contribute to undergraduate geoscience courses and offer internships at Master’s level. The link between training and research must be clearly specified in the application. The teaching project proposed should reflect the ambition of the environmental geosciences scientific project and take account of the associated societal issues. The person recruited will be encouraged to initiate teaching and/or field schools with partner universities in the South, which will be particularly encouraged and supported by CEREGE.
Funding available
The CPJ will receive (1) 200 k€ funding from the ANR (including a minimum of 120 k€ for salaries – PhD students, post-docs, IT contract staff – with the balance earmarked for project operations), (2) funding from the IRD for a three-year PhD contract and 30 k€ for a long-term mission (around 6 months), (3) 50 k€ from Aix Marseille Université via Amidex university foundation
Where to apply
Website: https://demarches.adullact.org/commencer/ird-chaires-de-professeur-junior-2025-…
Requirements
Research FieldOtherEducation LevelPhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Excellence of the candidate, motivation, scientific and pedagogical supervision capacity.
- Quality, originality, interdisciplinary of the research and teaching projects and their Global South component.
- Relevance of the proposed methods with regard to the identified problems.
- Relevance and structuring effect of the project within the laboratory and at the level of partnerships.
- Coherence with the IRD – University Clermont Auvergne partnership priorities.
- Adequacy of the means to the proposed project and capacity to mobilise complementary means.
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
Candidates must fulfil one of the following criteria:
- hold a doctorate as provided in article L.612-7 of the French Education Code;
- hold a PhD or doctoral level of education;
- hold a doctorate in engineering;
- hold a study and research diploma in computer science, GIS;
- hold a study and research diploma in remote sensing;
- hold an overseas university degree considered equivalent to the above-mentioned diplomas; in this case, applicants should submit an equivalence request.
- show proof of qualifications or scientific work considered equivalent to the above-mentioned diplomas; in this case, applicants should submit an equivalence request.
For the equivalence request – (refer to the file available on the platform « Démarches Addulact »).
Selection process
Applications must be submitted online at: https://demarches.adullact.org/commencer/ird-chaires-de-professeur-junior-2025-f-h by July 02, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.(metropolitan France time). Applications will be assessed by a committee comprising IRD members and external experts. Candidates pre-selected by the committee will be invited for interview. Interviews will last for one hour, and will be conducted remotely by video-conference.
The recruitment date for the chair is set for December 1, 2025.
