Offer Description
Project accronyme: VIROPICO-DOC
Host Institution: Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Marseille, France
Partner Institutions
- Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO, CNRS / Aix-Marseille Université)
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology of Aix-Marseille (BIAM, CNRS / CEA)
- GIPREB (Étang de Berre environmental management authority)
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Colorado, USA
Duration: 36 months
International Mobility: 3-month secondment at NREL (USA)
Program: SCHADOC Doctoral Program (Aix-Marseille Université)
Project Overview
Mediterranean coastal lagoons are among the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, undergoing rapid fluctuations in temperature, salinity, irradiance, and nutrient availability. These dynamic systems increasingly experience harmful “green water events” caused by dense blooms of the resilient microalga Picochlorum, which can disrupt ecosystem functioning and threaten aquaculture.
The VIROPICO-DOC project aims to elucidate how environmental variability, algal physiology, and viral infections jointly regulate Picochlorum bloom dynamics in Mediterranean lagoons, with a particular focus on the Étang de Berre. By integrating laboratory experiments, viral ecology, long-term field monitoring, and environmental genomics, this project seeks to establish predictive frameworks for bloom initiation and collapse under future climate change scenarios.
You can find more information about the project here: https://schadoc.univ-amu.fr/en/projects/viropicodoc
Details regarding funding and fellowship conditions are available here: https://schadoc.univ-amu.fr/en/fellowship-conditions-offered
Research Objectives
The selected PhD candidate will investigate:
- Physiological responses of diverse Picochlorum strains across gradients of temperature, salinity, and irradiance
- Environmental control of giant virus (Picochlorovirus) infection dynamics
- Host–virus–environment interactions driving bloom development, persistence, and collapse
- Seasonal in situ population dynamics through monthly field campaigns
- Molecular monitoring using:
- Flow cytometry
- qPCR
- Metagenomics
- Bioinformatics
- Functional genomics approaches during international training at NREL
Candidate Profile
Mobility Rule (Mandatory)
In accordance with SCHADOC / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) mobility requirements, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date.
This international mobility rule is a strict eligibility criterion.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should hold (or be close to obtaining) a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in one of the following fields:
- Marine biology
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Environmental sciences
- Molecular biology
- Bioinformatics
- Microalgal biotechnology
Essential Qualities
- Strong interest in:
- Marine microbial ecology
- Virus–host interactions
- Climate change biology
- Experimental biology
- Excellent communication and scientific writing skills in English
Desired Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:
- Microalgal culture
- Molecular biology (DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR)
- Virology
- Flow cytometry
- Omics approaches
- Bioinformatics
- Field sampling
A strong motivation for interdisciplinary, international, and collaborative research is essential.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online via the SCHADOC portal before 10 of May:
https://civis.smapply.io/prog/schadoc_-_call_for_candidates_2526/
Required Documents
Applicants must provide:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
- Contact details for referees
- Draft career development plan
- Recommendation letters
Where to apply
Website: https://civis.smapply.io/prog/schadoc_-_call_for_candidates_2526/
