Missions

As part of the targeted project SHS Approach to Origins, funded by the PEPR Origins program, the interdisciplinary collaboration between the Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie (IMPMC) and the Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale (LAS) aims to question the notion of biosignature in research on the origins of life.
Ancient rocks may contain information about the origins of life on Earth. Geologists study these rocks in search of biosignatures. But what exactly is a biosignature? Is the concept of a biosignature useful, or is it ambiguous? The recruited researcher will apply analytical tools from the humanities and social sciences (anthropology, history, sociology) to better understand the sociotechnical context in which this concept is constructed.
In parallel, the research will focus on the example of stromatolites. Although iconic in the early history of life on Earth, it is still unclear whether and how life controls or contributes to the formation of these layered rock structures. One objective will be to assess whether it is feasible, relevant, or straightforward to define specific biosignatures for stromatolites, based on a study of natural samples and the experimental production of layered mineral structures in the absence of life.
The findings will be put into perspective with scientific practices, following a reflexive approach that combines building an interdisciplinary analytical bibliography with the description of experimental and theoretical activities, in order to grasp the diversity of empirical data and uses of the concept of biosignature.

Activities

• Reflection on the emergence, usefulness, validity, and ambivalence of the concept of biosignature.
• Study of ancient and modern natural samples, colonized or not by living organisms.
• Experimental production of laminated carbonate structures in the absence of life.
• Writing articles for journals in the humanities and in the natural sciences.

Skills

• Scientific background related to the study of stromatolites and microbialites.
• Strong interest in laboratory experimentation.
• Ability to apply concepts and methods from Science and Technology Studies (anthropology, history, sociology).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral), in both French and English.
• Autonomy, critical thinking, and creativity.

Work Context

The recruited researcher will join the IMPMC (Buffon Campus – Jardin des Plantes – Paris) as part of an original and strongly interdisciplinary project between the IMPMC and the LAS. This project falls within the framework of the targeted project SHS Approach to Origins (https://pepr-origins.fr/axes/une-approche-en-sciences-humaines-et-sociales/), funded by the CNRS through the PEPR Origins program.
The position will be directly supervised by Sylvain Bernard (IMPMC) and Perig Pitrou (Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Sociale). The position is subject to scientific and technical potential protection regulations (PPST) and therefore requires official authorization for recruitment in accordance with current legislation.

The position is located in a sector under the protection of scientific and technical potential (PPST), and therefore requires, in accordance with the regulations, that your arrival is authorized by the competent authority of the MESR.

Constraints and risks

The recruited researcher will carry out their activities at the IMPMC, on the Buffon campus of the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle. Travel within France and abroad is expected, both to use instruments not available at IMPMC and to share research progress with collaborators.