Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Biogeochemistry and Emerging Urban Contaminants (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

The BISE (Isotopic and Experimental Biogeochemistry) research team at the Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg (ITES) is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher as part of the INTERREG VI ReactiveCity project, which aims to advance the understanding and mitigation of emerging urban contamination.

The project seeks to develop an integrated city-scale observatory of chemical contaminants and antimicrobial resistance across the Strasbourg metropolitan area, combining advanced chemical analyses, molecular biology approaches, and environmental monitoring data. Particular attention will be given to PFAS, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, urban biocides, and other emerging micropollutants, as well as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).

The overall objective is to improve our understanding of the sources, fluxes, transformation processes, and impacts of these contaminants within urban socio-hydrosystems, from stormwater networks and surface waters to wastewater treatment plants and receiving environments. The project relies on innovative high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based non-target screening approaches, environmental surveillance, and spatial data integration to identify major contamination and vulnerability hotspots.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a unique city-scale demonstrator linking chemical contamination, antimicrobial resistance, and aquatic environmental quality, in close collaboration with local authorities and water management stakeholders.

Activity

The position is embedded within an interdisciplinary research programme at the interface of environmental chemistry, microbiology, and urban sciences, and will involve:

- Designing and implementing a city-wide monitoring network for emerging contaminants across the Strasbourg metropolitan area;
- Conducting field campaigns across different compartments of the urban water cycle, including rivers, stormwater networks, wastewater treatment plants, urban discharges, and infiltration systems;
- Analysing organic contaminants using LC-MS/MS and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), including non-target screening and emerging contaminant discovery workflows;
- Characterising antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbial markers in collaboration with molecular biology specialists;
- Investigating links between chemical contamination, environmental exposure, and antimicrobial resistance;
- Integrating chemical, microbiological, hydrological, and spatial datasets to identify the main drivers of vulnerability in urban socio-hydrosystems;
- Developing city-scale maps of contamination, contaminant fluxes, and environmental risks;
- Disseminating results through high-impact international publications, conference presentations, and interactions with institutional and operational stakeholders.

Your Profil

Skills

Required technical skills
• PhD in environmental sciences, chemistry, biogeochemistry, hydrology, or a related field
• Experience in environmental contaminant analysis
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills
Preferred skills
• Experience with LC-MS/MS or HRMS
• Knowledge of stable isotope techniques (CSIA)
• Background in environmental microbiology or antibiotic resistance
• Experience with passive sampling techniques (e.g. DGT)
• Programming skills (R, Python)
Transversal skills
• High level of autonomy and organizational skills
• Scientific rigor and critical thinking
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international environment
• Excellent scientific English (C1 level)

Your Work Environment

The Institut Terre et Environnement de Strasbourg (ITES) is a joint research unit (UMR 7063) affiliated with CNRS, the University of Strasbourg, and ENGEES. The institute conducts interdisciplinary research on continental hydrosystems, environmental geochemistry, and Earth surface processes.
The postdoctoral researcher will join the BISE team, which has strong expertise in contaminant biogeochemistry and isotope-based approaches, and will benefit from access to state-of-the-art analytical platforms (LC-MS/MS, Orbitrap HRMS, IRMS).
The project is embedded in a dynamic research environment addressing key challenges in urban pollution, environmental health, and emerging contaminants, with strong links to national and European research initiatives.
ITES is located on the Strasbourg campus, easily accessible by public transportation. CNRS provides additional benefits, including partial reimbursement of transport costs and access to subsidized catering services.

Constraints and risks

• Fieldwork in urban environments (rivers, wastewater treatment plants)
• Laboratory experimental work
• Handling of contaminants at low concentrations
• Interdisciplinary work requiring coordination with multiple partners

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,071.50 and €4,258.37 gross monthly, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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