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Ocean Career: MOI Marine Ecosystem Modeler

Mercator Ocean International (MOI) has been developing operational oceanography activities for nearly 30 years, as part of its public interest mission to preserve the ocean. Many scientific and societal challenges must be met to ensure a sustainable ocean, whether they concern the environment, biodiversity, climate change, the blue economy or education. To meet these challenges, Mercator Ocean designs, develops, operates and maintains state-of-the-art digital systems capable of describing, analyzing and forecasting the state of the ocean in 3D, continuously and in real time. The scientific information is then translated to be accessible to all, whether it is public or commercial service, political decision makers, industrialists, associations, NGOs, teachers or citizens. Mercator Ocean International thus combines scientific excellence and social commitment on a daily basis.

As a non-profit company under multinational governance (ES, FR, GB, IT, NO), we work in a climate of trust with our ten shareholder partners, all key players in the development of European oceanography.

About the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist sharing Mercator Ocean International’s ambition and objectives. Our research and development department is offering a post-doctoral contract until 31/08/2028 to a candidate with the following profile: Marine ecosystem modeler specialized in biogeochemical data assimilation (M/W). You will develop tools for modeling and assimilating biogeochemical data in the global NEMO-PISCES model. More specifically, you will:

  • Implement a bio-optical module in NEMO-PISCES, describing the spectral and directional features of underwater light and the properties of the main optical constituents,
  • Implement and validate novel model parameterization of plankton dynamics and nutrient cycling,
  • Define and assess novel biogeochemical indicators linked to ocean acidification, deoxygenation, biological carbon pump, and green-house-gas fluxes,
  • Expand MOI’s biogeochemical data assimilation system based on a Singular Evolutive Interpolated Kalman filter to the assimilation of in-situ biogeochemical data (e.g. e.g., from biogeochemical-ARGO and other platforms) and remote sensing data (e.g. remote sensing reflectance and ocean color phytoplankton types), and physical datasets (e.g., SST, SLA, SSH, T and S profiles) in the global NEMO-PISCES,
  • Perform and validate a multiannual global reanalysis using the novel assimilation system with the global coupled NEMO-PISCES configuration at ¼ degree resolution,
  • Develop and apply metrics to quantify the model skill, evaluate the biogeochemical reanalysis products, and detect trends and extreme events of the biogeochemical variables and indicators,
  • Contribute to Mercator’s tasks in the Horizon Europe BioGeoSea project.

Assets for success

  • You have a Ph.D. in physics or mathematics or biogeochemical modeling.
  • You have at least two years of experience in the use of biogeochemical ocean models, data assimilation methods, and the analysis of ocean observations. Experience in marine physical modeling would be a plus.
  • You have advanced skills in scientific computing, programming languages (in particular Fortran and Python), version control software (git) and in the use of supercomputers.
  • You are a good listener, rigorous, dynamic, reactive and a strong team player, autonomous, capable of managing your time and deadlines, and you are eager to bring your technical and scientific ideas to ambitious projects.
  • You are fluent in written and spoken English.


Deadline for applications: September 30, 2025

Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.

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