The Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Rennes (OSUR, https://osur.univ-rennes.fr/, Université de Rennes) is recruiting a qualified research engineer in the field of micrometeorology, environmental measurements in the field and chemical analysis of samples in the laboratory. The successful candidate will join the EcoChim environmental analysis platform team and form part of the network of researchers working for the National Peatland Observation Service (SNO Tourbières, https://www.sno-tourbieres.cnrs.fr/). The person recruited will work at the Fedrun (Parc Natural Régional de Brière) and La Sangsurière peatland sites and occasionally at the Sèves peatland (Parc Naturel régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin, MCB). She/he will have operational responsibility for research activities at these sites in collaboration with local staff: helping to install and maintain equipment, managing sampling and processing and exploiting data.
Ultimately, the aim is to include the Fedrun and La Sangsurière sites in the next National Peatland Observation Service certification by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifque (CNRS, 2026). The National Peatland Observation Service aims to understand the exchange of energy, mass and greenhouse gases between ecosystems and the atmosphere, as well as the ecology, biogeochemistry and management of temperate peatlands. These sites are part of peat complexes containing the largest carbon stocks in France. Their response to anthropogenic disturbances (climate, pollution) is still poorly understood and only long-term observations will fill this gap. Furthermore, peatlands have been shaped by diverse and sometimes contradictory agricultural and cultural practices. Producing scientific data on whether these systems act as sinks or sources of greenhouse gases, and on their trophic status, will help to clarify the debates with quantified measurements and thus develop research-action approach.
Main activities
The main tasks of the job include, for the two study stations at Fedrun (PNR Brière) and La Sangsurière (PNR MCB):
1) management of the stations measuring greenhouse gas fluxes and meteorological variables,
2) management of biogeochemical analyses (peat, water).
Daily tasks include:
- field work related to sensor and data logger maintenance, troubleshooting and calibration
- office work relating to programming, data processing (transfer, quality control, calculation of fluxes, analysis of the determinants of flux variability, establishment of an annual carbon balance, data processing and integration in database) and interpretation of results.
- organising and participating in sampling campaigns
- analysing peat and water samples
- promoting the results in the form of articles and scientific communication to a wide audience.
The person recruited will work with the PNR des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin teams to draw up a sampling protocol for the Sèves peatland and analyse the data.
Skills required (knowledge, know-how and interpersonal skills)
- PhD in functional ecology, ecophysiology, micrometeorology, biogeochemistry.
- Knowledge of environmental measurement sensors, meteorological sensors, gas analysers, data loggers and associated programming languages.
- Experience of maintaining and repairing scientific instruments in the laboratory or in the field.
- A strong taste and aptitude for field work.
- Experience and proficiency in one or more software languages such as R or Python.
Special working conditions (supervision/travel/time pressure, etc.)
The person recruited will be required to travel from Rennes to the sites on a regular basis (1 to 2 assignments per month), including the need to move around and carry equipment in wet and marshy environments.
A valid driving licence is essential.
The position is for 2 years. The person recruited will be based at OSUR on the Beaulieu campus in Rennes.
Recruitment procedures
- Send an application including a CV and covering letter describing how this position fits in with the applicant's career plans to sebastien.gogo@univ-rennes.fr and christophe.flechard@inrae.fr.
- Applications received by 31 January 2025, orals from 10 to 14 February 2025 (online interview possible), final decision on 17 February 2025, recruitment at the beginning of March 2025.