Research Environment

CEREGE research strengths

CEREGE is a leading center in environmental Geosciences in France, with around 45 faculty members (Aix-Marseille University), 40 research scientists (CNRS, IRD, INRAE), 45 staff (engineers, technicians and administrative support), and 110 temporary personnel including 60 graduate students.

A very broad array of research themes is hosted at CEREGE, including paleoclimatology, geomorphology, active tectonics, hydrology, soil systems, environmental tracers and pollution, sedimentary systems and reservoirs, Earth and rock magnetism, planetology and meteorites.

CEREGE hosts a very dense network of analytical facilities, with a particular focus on environmental geochemistry and geochronology.

Institutional context of CEREGE

CEREGE is part of Aix-Marseille University (AMU), the largest francophone university (80,000+ students), located in the cities of Aix-en-Provence and Marseille in southeastern France.

Inside AMU, CEREGE is part of the larger Institute OSU Pythéas. Named after the famed Greek explorer Pytheas of Massalia, a native of Marseille, the Institute OSU Pythéas brings together a cluster of leading research centers dedicated to the observation and exploration of our broader environment, including:

  • MIO - oceanography
  • LAM - astrophysics
  • IMBE - ecology
  • LPED - demography and sociology

CEREGE researchers interact intensively with colleagues in these other labs. The integration of CEREGE within the Institute OSU Pythéas provides unparalleled opportunities to develop cross-disciplinary teaching and research projects.

Arbois Environment Technopole Campus

CEREGE is located on the Arbois Environment Technopole Campus outside Aix-en-Provence, in the forested landscape of the Arbois plateau, with a gorgeous view of the Sainte-Victoire mountain and kilometers of trails to enjoy during breaks.

The technopole is a science park focusing on environmental projects, and brings together a network of academic laboratories, start-ups and institutional organizations.

The plateau de l’Arbois is a 4,500-hectare Mediterranean forest southwest of Aix-en-Provence, which includes an 800-hectare departmental natural park and is designated a Natura 2000 site.

On-site facilities

CEREGE hosts a number of facilities which are essential in providing a unique experience to Master students, either during classes or research internships. These facilities include the following labs, which are particularly relevant for the IMG program:

Research projects

Most of the AMU faculty members and research scientists involved in teaching and supervising the IMG program are affiliated with the two largest research groups at CEREGE:

The combination of on-site teaching and the involvement of a diverse group of faculty allows for a mode of teaching which is highly integrated with the research activities of CEREGE and the numerous facilities available.

This integration also provides numerous opportunities to carry out research projects, on a wide range of topics, under the supervision of CEREGE faculty and researchers. Do not hesitate to visit the web pages of the Climate and Earth and Planets groups, and to contact researchers working on topics that match your interests.