General information
Offer title : M/F Fixed-Term Research Position in Stable Isotope Geochemistry (H/F)
Reference : UMR7330-CELPIN-004
Number of position : 1
Workplace : AIX EN PROVENCE
Date of publication : 17 June 2025
Type of Contract : Researcher in FTC
Contract Period : 12 months
Expected date of employment : 1 September 2025
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : Between 3081,33 and 4291,70 euros gross/month depending on experience
Desired level of education : Doctorate
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : 30 - Continental surface and interfaces
Missions
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join a project funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), titled PAST-17, or “Past Dynamics of Continental Atmospheric Humidity and Vegetation: New Insights from Triple Oxygen Isotope Composition”. The objective is to reconstruct past hydrological changes and relative humidity using a combined model-data approach, in collaboration with the PAST-17 research group.
Activities
The selected candidate will work on a sediment core collected in 2024 from Lake Fitri, located in the Sahelian zone (Chad), to reconstruct Holocene hydroclimatic variations using diatoms. The researcher will analyze diatom assemblages using microscopic techniques and determine their triple oxygen isotope composition using laser fluorination coupled with laser-IRMS spectrometry. Currently, there is a lack of quantitative paleo-hydroclimatic data for the Sahel region.
Skills
We are looking for a motivated and creative candidate holding a PhD in Earth Sciences, paleo-hydrology, or paleoclimatology, with proven expertise in stable oxygen isotope geochemistry. Prior experience with triple oxygen isotope analysis (mass-dependent fractionation) is highly desirable. Fluency in English and strong collaborative skills are essential. The position will also require active participation in sample preparation and laser spectrometry measurements.
Work Context
The researcher will be based at CEREGE, a recognized interdisciplinary Earth Sciences research center, and will join the Climate Research Group (Group Link). Close collaboration is expected with the PANISS laboratory group . A PhD student will work in parallel on the sedimentological and mineralogical analysis of the same core.
This project is part of the VIABELEAUX International Joint Laboratory ("Viability of Sahelian Lake Ecosystems under Global Change"), a French-Chadian collaboration funded by IRD, focused on studying the evolution of Lake Fitri in the context of climate change.