Research Assistant/ Collaborator at 's Transnational Red Sea Center

The Transnational Red Sea Center (TRSC), based at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), leads innovative programs in coral reef research, monitoring, capacity strengthening, and education in the Red Sea region and beyond. At the core of its mission lie the values of local leadership, data ownership, open science, and autonomy.

In close collaboration with Red Sea partners, the TRSC team is generating large volumes of multimodal data—including benthic reef composition, whole-genome and metabarcoding data (corals, sponges, environmental DNA), environmental parameters, and reef chemical signatures. 

We are looking for a motivated individual with a strong passion for the marine environment, its conservation, sharing knowledge with like-minded colleagues, and experience in coral reef fieldwork to assist in various research activities (including scientific SCUBA diving), alongside the management of collected and produced data and metadata. This position therefore has a dual focus: fieldwork assistance and data management/ analysis.

Data Management

• Develop a functional overview of all data and metadata generated by the TRSC
• Create a general-purpose, standardized nomenclature for all data and metadata in line with FAIR principles
• Produce clear data-management guidelines (in French and English) to ensure standardized recording of data and metadata
• Develop and implement a comprehensive data management strategy from collection to curation, processing, storage on hard drives, and online backup
• Train Red Sea partners to implement the TRSC's data management guidelines

Data Analysis

• Participate in data analyses (bioinformatics, basic genomics/ecology statistics, etc.); experience in bioinformatics and ecology is a plus
• Produce data-visualization outputs (graphs, summaries)
• Conduct spatial analyses
• Contribute to writing reports and sections of research articles

Fieldwork

• Support logistical preparations for field missions
• Participate in fieldwork activities, on land and underwater
• Assist with training Red Sea partners involved in TRSC projects

Add

• Master or PhD degree in environmental sciences or computer sciences with experience in data management for real-world applications.
• Fluent in English (French and Arabic are assets)
• Experience in data analysis and management; familiarity with FAIR and ORD principles
• Comfortable using R, Python, Excel, QGIS, and similar tools
• Experience in scuba diving (minimum PADI Rescue Diver with 50 logged dives; scientific diving is an asset)
• Experience in marine sciences is a plus
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Strong team spirit
• Meticulous and detail-oriented
• Proactive with ability to take initiative
• Strong problem-solving mindset
• Excellent organizational skills, especially in tracking project progress
• Strong oral and written communication skills in diverse contexts (from laboratory settings to high-level diplomatic environments)
• Passion for the marine environment, its conservation, and sharing knowledge with like-minded colleagues
• Interest in the Red Sea region, local leadership, technology transfer, local ownership, open science and interdisciplinary and multicultural environments

• A dynamic and multicultural work environment in a multidisciplinary world-class institution
• The opportunity to participate in field work activities and conduct applied science to support science-based conservation of coral reefs
• Competitive salary and excellent working conditions
• The opportunity to contribute to high-impact scientific publications
• The opportunity to train professionals in order to promote local leadership and autonomy in the Red Sea region and beyond
• The opportunity of continuous training and development within the mandate of the function

Contract Start Date : As soon as possible

Activity Rate : 80.00

Contract Type: CDD

Duration: 1 year, renewable 

Reference: 1954 

Only complete applications will be considered (motivation letter, CV, diploma copies, three reference contacts)