Job Offer, Offre d'emploi

The University of Caen Normandy, through the MERSEA Laboratory, has acquired a significant expertise, recognised both nationally and internationally, in the dynamics of cephalopod stocks (cuttlefish and squid), with six doctoral theses successfully defended and around fifty scientific articles published. These species are becoming increasingly vital to the economy of the Normandy fisheries.

For the Normandy fishing fleet (source: IFREMER – SIH-2024 -), squid is the third most fished resource (in 2022) and cuttlefish the fifth. These are the species currently being monitored, but the arrival (or return) of the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and its spread in the English Channel must be monitored from now on if we are to be able to study its dynamics in the future. Interactions between octopuses and scallops are an example of the role of cephalopods in the ecosystem.
Recent research, including Anna MARCOUT’s thesis entitled ‘Spatialised models for the fishing of short-lived species: application to cephalopods’, enables the abundance of these cephalopods to be predicted. Consequently, it is possible to envisage moving to a ‘pilot’ phase of applying predictive models of recruitment or migration to provide better information for managers and professionals.
Cephalopod resources exploited in the English Channel extend into the North Sea and are shared by several countries that are preparing a similar initiative. This initiative follows the recommendations of the WGCEPH (Working Group on Cephalopod Fisheries and Life History), in which Jean-Paul ROBIN participates. Updating stock assessments in the English Channel and extending them to the North Sea encourages Belgian, Dutch and German colleagues to share their data and fosters international cooperation that is also useful for managing interactions between fleets in the English Channel.

Objectives of MOCEM project:
1. Update the assessments obtained using surplus production models for cuttlefish and squid, and refine the assessments for squid by analysing each of the two exploited species and their specific characteristics.
2. Predict the abundance and location of new squid cohorts using environmental data and organise the communication about these indicators at the start of the fishing season.
3. Analyse the extent of interactions between the fishing fleets exploiting these resources (France and the United Kingdom for cuttlefish; France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK for squid).
4. Contribute to the monitoring of landings from the Normandy fishery by participating in the fish market sampling carried out by the university.

Tasks assigned to the scientist:
The person recruited for this job will have to use the procedures employed in a research context (R scripts and corresponding packages) to update both the assessments and the forecasts. This involves a significant amount of data preparation work. They will also need to organise communication with stakeholders and managers so that assessments and forecasts are provided to them in a timely manner. Finally, they will need to compile information from fishermen in order to compare the uncertainty associated with the predictions (their confidence intervals) with the initial observations of professionals at the start of the fishing season. The work will be carried out mainly at the MERSEA laboratory (University of Caen campus) and will include trips related to sampling and communication activities.
We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in marine ecology or fisheries science (or a Master’s degree holder with experience in the field of fisheries science). The role requires proficiency in using R scripts (with RStudio and RMarkdown) as well as statistical and population models.

This advertisement is subject to confirmation of funding for the MOCEM project. This confirmation is expected by the end of June 2026.
This position will be covered by a 15-month fixed-term contract, starting, where possible, in early September 2026.
The net monthly salary paid by the University of Caen is approximately €2,250
(for a PhD holder with less than 3 years’ postdoctoral experience)
Applications should be sent to J. R. Robin (jean-paul.robin@unicaen.fr) by 7 July at midday.
(It is preferable that candidates are available for an interview in the days following 7 July).