27 Mar 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Université Savoie Mont Blanc- Research Field
Environmental science » Ecology- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Recognised Researcher (R2)- Positions
Postdoc Positions- Application Deadline
24 Apr 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)- Country
France- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Offer Starting Date
26 May 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Visitor numbers to natural areas are growing rapidly, driven in particular by digital technologies (apps, social media, geolocation). This trend raises questions about the carrying capacity of these environments, not only in ecological terms, but also socially and culturally: how can we reconcile biodiversity conservation, quality nature experiences and the regulation of human flows?
The nine National Nature Reserves (RNN) in Haute-Savoie are protected natural areas with a rich heritage (biodiversity, geodiversity, landscapes) that attract large numbers of visitors from all walks of life (city dwellers and mountain dwellers, French and foreign nationals, families and high-level athletes, etc.) for a variety of purposes. Located in a department that is very dynamic in terms of economy and tourism, the reserves also aim to provide spaces for relaxation and rejuvenation for local populations and discovery for tourists.
All the reserves in Haute-Savoie are therefore subject to very high visitor pressure in both summer and winter. In fact, in recent years, this pressure has become more and more constant throughout the seasons, offering no period of tranquility for wildlife and putting increased pressure on the environment.
Since the 1970s, visitor management has been approached in terms of tourist carrying capacity, with managers of protected natural areas seeking to identify limits to the development of tourism in certain areas. This concept was quickly criticized for its “unscientific” approach (Desprest, 1997), leading to the emergence of the concept of “acceptable carrying capacity” (Braodhurst, 2001). Ecological capacity is complex to measure, and data on the impacts of visitor numbers on biodiversity and ecosystems are often insufficient. The relationship between quantity of use (intensity of use or number of users) and degree of impact is not clearly established. The issues are often territorialized, leading to the definition of thresholds as a non-mechanical process that cannot be replicated from one place to another. Finally, the load capacity calculations often used are not based solely on scientific expertise but are part of a political approach (Hatt, 2026).
In this context, ASTERS (Conservatoire d'espaces naturels de Haute-Savoie), in partnership with the EDYTEM and LECA laboratories (Université Savoie Mont Blanc), members of the Scientific Committee of the Haute-Savoie Nature Reserves, is offering a one-year postdoctoral fellowship to clarify these concepts and discuss their application in Haute-Savoie.
- Conduct an interdisciplinary literature review (ecology, geography, social sciences, digital sciences) on the methodologies used to measure the impacts of visitor numbers in natural environments, particularly in protected areas.
- Analyze and compare the methodological approaches identified (indicators, models, feedback).
- Formalize and further develop the concept of digital carrying capacity as applied to natural areas, as well as that of social carrying capacity in natural environments. The aim will be to understand the scientific basis for this concept, illustrating it with case studies.
- Produce operational recommendations for managing visitor numbers in natural environments, in direct collaboration with the managers and researchers involved in the project.
Where to apply
job-ref-fwq74fnq9u@emploi.beetween.com
Requirements
- Research Field
- Environmental science » Ecology
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Knowledge
- Training in Ecology
- Skills in environmental sociology, humanities, and social sciences applied to nature appreciated.
- Skills in bibliographic analysis and critical synthesis.
Personal Skills
- Initiative
- Work in an interdisciplinary context
- Work independently and as part of a team
Specific Requirements
Expertise
-Strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches and natural space management.
- Expertise in quantitative data analysis software
- Ability to lead meetings with project partners
- Writing skills
- Research Field
- Environmental science » Ecology
Additional Information
- Website for additional job details
https://www.univ-smb.fr/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/offre-emploi-postdoc-2026-10…
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- USMB / EDYTEM
- Country
- France
- Geofield
Contact
- City
Chambéry- Website
https://www.univ-smb.fr- Street
Rue Marcoz, 27- Postal Code
73000
Recrutement-Postdoctorant.Rh@univ-savoie.fr
STATUS: EXPIRED
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