Missions

MISSION AND ACTIVITIES
Development of experimental protocols

Design and standardize a detailed protocol for coral colony micro-fragmentation (cutting techniques, fixation, supports, densities, photoperiod, flow).

Determine optimal culture conditions (temperature, salinity, pH, etc.) for laboratory growth and health of fragments, including QA/QC criteria.

Management and maintenance of technical infrastructure

Manage and maintain aquarist systems (closed loops, filtration, water-quality control).

Ensure reliability of coral culture facilities: preventive maintenance, diagnosis, troubleshooting.

Guarantee safety and continuity of service.

Scientific monitoring and data collection

Document growth, survival, and health of fragments (performance and stress indicators).

Contribute to establishing and monitoring a plan for coral reintroduction at natural sites.

Manage and analyze data (R/Python desirable) and develop dashboards (water quality ↔ performance).

Deliverables and scientific dissemination

Write the technical report and operational protocol for safeguarding and reintroducing corals (including protected species).

Formulate recommendations for replicating the method at other sites or with other species.

Contribute to scientific publications and communicate results to partners and the scientific community.

Activities

see above (missions)

Skills

SKILLS
Education

PhD in marine biology, ecophysiology, reef ecology, or a related field.

Technical skills

Operation of coral/marine invertebrate aquaculture systems (≥ 1–2 years): instrumentation, fault diagnosis, maintenance and repair.

Advanced water-quality monitoring: pH/alkalinity, Ca/Mg/K, NH₃/NH₄⁺/NO₂⁻/NO₃⁻; nitrification management.

Planning: preventive maintenance plans, critical spares, emergency procedures, on-call duties.

Confirmed experience in culturing/fragmenting coral species and handling marine organisms.

Practice with micro-fragmentation techniques, transplantation, and in-situ monitoring.

Scientific competencies

In-depth knowledge of tropical coral biology (reproduction, physiology, thermal stress, photobiology, symbiosis).

Ability to develop experimental protocols and analyze complex datasets.

Personal qualities

Autonomy and rigor; strong safety and prevention mindset.

Operational responsiveness.

Strong ability to work within multidisciplinary teams and with protected-area managers.

Fluent in French.

Work Context

Context

As part of the creation of the experimental platform for conserving reef functions “Labo-Corail” in Martinique, CNRS is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher to develop approaches for coral micro-fragmentation, controlled culture, and reintroduction (including protected species), while ensuring the day-to-day technical operation and performance of closed-loop aquaculture facilities dedicated to tropical corals.

The postdoc will directly contribute to drafting the Technical Report and Operational Protocol for safeguarding and reintroducing corals (including protected species) by conducting experimental work, scientific monitoring, and producing recommendations.

Operational mastery of aquaculture systems (management, preventive and corrective maintenance, fault diagnosis, repairs, energy optimization, and water-quality optimization) is essential. This competency will be assessed as a priority (case study and/or practical test).

Location: Martinique – Experimental platform for conserving reef functions “Corail” (CNRS/Université des Antilles, UMR).
Duration: 12 months, renewable (up to 36 months depending on program progress).
Compensation: According to CNRS pay scale for postdocs.
Supervision: By a CNRS researcher (50% FTE) and in coordination with the scientific program team.

Additional Information

Applications should include:
A detailed CV.
A cover letter stating your interest in the project and relevant skills (please specify maintenance/troubleshooting achievements).
A list of scientific publications.
Two references (including at least one able to attest to your technical competencies).

Constraints and risks

Constraints and risks: humid/saline environment; handling/moderate loads; rotating 24/7 on-call duty (alarms); off-hours interventions in case of alerts; diving/fieldwork (subject to certifications).