The French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER – Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer) announces prestigious Postdoctoral and Doctoral Research Fellowships for 2026/27 across its coastal and marine research laboratories in Brittany, Normandy, and the Mediterranean.
About IFREMER
IFREMER is a world-renowned pioneer in ocean science, marine biological exploration, and sustainable marine aquaculture. Through its advanced ocean research fleet, deep-sea submersibles, and cutting-edge marine genomics platforms, IFREMER conducts comprehensive research on marine ecosystems, shellfish health, and sustainable ocean resource governance.
Key Research Themes & Priority Disciplines
- Shellfish Genetics & Disease Resistance: Investigating host-pathogen interactions, functional genomics, and immune response mechanisms of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) against Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) and pathogenic Vibrio species.
- Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Ecosystems: Investigating biodiversity, microbial chemosynthesis, and benthic food-web structures at deep-sea hydrothermal vents and cold seeps along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Mediterranean trenches.
- Marine Biogeochemistry & Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): High-resolution spatial modeling of phytoplankton community shifts, toxic microalgae dynamics (Dinophysis, Alexandrium), and ocean acidification indices along coastal shelf waters.
- Quantitative Fisheries & Selective Gear Technology: Acoustic biomass estimation, hydrodynamic trawl modeling to minimize sea-bottom impact, and reducing cetacean and elasmobranch bycatch in commercial pelagic fisheries.
- Ocean Observation & In-Situ Instrumentation: Deployment of Argo profiling floats, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and deep-sea benthic landers for long-term ocean monitoring.
Fellowship Financial Support & Benefits
| Fellowship Level | Duration | Financial Remuneration Package |
|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Research Fellowships | 18 to 24 Months | Competitive French national research salary (€35,000 – €46,000 gross/year depending on experience) + French social security, public healthcare coverage, pension, and research travel funds. |
| PhD Doctoral Contracts | 36 Months (3 Years) | Full doctoral research contract with monthly gross stipend of approx. €2,100 – €2,300/month + university registration fee coverage and expedition access aboard French oceanographic research vessels. |
Eligibility Criteria
- For Postdoctoral Positions: A PhD degree in Marine Biology, Shellfish Pathology, Biological Oceanography, Marine Ecology, Quantitative Fisheries, or Bioinformatics, awarded by an accredited university. High-impact peer-reviewed publications in marine science are essential.
- For Doctoral Positions: A Master of Science (M.Sc.) or equivalent degree in Marine Science, Aquaculture, Oceanography, Environmental Biology, or Applied Statistics.
- Nationality: Open to European and international researchers of all nationalities. Proficiency in scientific English is mandatory; knowledge of French is advantageous but not required.
How to Apply
Interested researchers must submit an academic curriculum vitae, a letter of research intent aligned with host laboratory projects, certified copies of university diplomas and transcripts, and reference letters from two academic mentors via the official IFREMER recruitment system.
For complete scientific topic descriptions, host laboratory contacts, and application portals, visit the IFREMER official portal at wwz.ifremer.fr.