Missions

This position is linked to the ERC Advanced project SeaLi2Bio, which focuses on lithium and its isotopes in coastal zones and began in April 2024. Lithium (Li) is essential in the energy transition and is massively used for mobile devices and electric vehicles. However, its current consumption rate exceeds its riverine flux to the ocean, and it is poorly recycled, while excess Li can be toxic to aquatic life. Although Li concentrations and isotopes have been measured at river mouths to study continental chemical weathering and its climatic controls, Li monitoring has been only occasional. Moreover, the bias caused by anthropogenic inputs is not quantified.
By combining a new isotopic methodology with ecotoxicological and biological approaches, SeaLi2Bio aims to determine and understand the sources, fluxes, and controls of coastal Li contamination, and to quantify its current contribution to the Li cycle. Plankton, macroalgae, and bivalves will serve as long-term biological indicators at selected reference sites. By disentangling Li contamination factors from the natural background, SeaLi2Bio will establish a robust first reference for a global issue related to climate history and its future evolution. This multidisciplinary project involves scientists from various fields—non conventional isotope specialists, biologists, and modelers—with collaborators located in different laboratories in France and across various continents.

Activités

The postdoctoral researcher will focus on quantifying, interpreting, and modeling lithium concentrations and isotopes in coastal environments and ecosystems. The postdoctoral researcher will also participate in experimental work initiated at the cellular level and with model organisms, in collaboration with other laboratories. Presentations at international conferences will be encouraged, as well as supervising students and participating in outreach or citizen science activities.

Compétences

Candidates must have a sigbinficant experience with non-conventional isotopes. Additional expertise in environmental sciences, (paleo)oceanography, or biology will be highly valued. Data modeling skills are also an asset. The ability to get organized, work in a multidisciplinary team, write and communicate easily in English is essential.

Contexte de travail

The LOV is a joint research unit of the CNRS and Sorbonne University, and a highly active French marine station specializing in plankton ecology, ocean acidification, and marine biogeochemical cycles. At the LOV, the candidate will contribute to the dynamics of the Chemistry-Ocean-Climate (CHOC) team, which includes approximately 12 researchers, technicians, and several PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Within the project, he/she will be fully involved in the meetings, workshops, and publications of the ERC SeaLi2Bio team. A dedicated laboratory equipped with instruments such as ICP-OES (Perkin), TQ-ICP-MS (ICap MTX), and MC-ICP-MS (NEOMA, installed in 2024) will be available for the project, with the support of two technicians specialized in these approaches. Additionally, other equipment and technical platforms are available on-site, including GC-EA-IRMS, Orbitrap, optical sensors, quantitative imaging, boats, controlled-condition cultures, and cytometry.

Contraintes et risques

Please note that this position involves work in a clean chemistry lab to dissolve and extract elements of interest from various types of samples. This work is supported by comprehensive training provided by the project team and the Institute's Health and Safety group.

Informations complémentaires

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