Having joined the Arcachon Marine Station in November 2025, Alexis Bonnet ensures the smooth running of the technical facilities essential to the research carried out at EPOC. Between maintenance, adapting to new requirements and dealing with the unexpected, he tells us about a vital role at the heart of the field.

©EPOC : Alexis Bonnet

Could you introduce yourself?

My name is Alexis; I’m a mechanical engineering technician at the University of Bordeaux, based at the Arcachon Marine Station within the EPOC laboratory. I joined the team a few months ago and I must say it’s a truly unique working environment. Between the wide range of research topics covered by the laboratory and the exceptional setting of the Arcachon basin, this is far from an ordinary job.

What is your role at the EPOC laboratory?

My role is to ensure that everything runs smoothly so that the research teams can work in the best possible conditions. In practical terms, this involves maintaining the facilities, servicing the equipment, and sometimes designing technical solutions tailored to specific needs. It’s a role that requires versatility and a real ability to adapt—two qualities you develop quickly in this kind of environment.

Can you give us a concrete example of a prototype you’ve created or contributed to?

As I am still in the induction phase, I haven’t yet had the opportunity to contribute directly to a prototyping project. That said, this period is far from passive; it allows me to gain a clear understanding of the needs on the ground and to grasp the constraints specific to the station, which I believe is essential for me to be able to contribute effectively in the future. It’s a prospect that I’m really looking forward to over the coming months.

What are the main constraints or challenges you face on a daily basis?

The marine station is a technically demanding environment. Humidity, salinity and specialised equipment require constant vigilance and the ability to react quickly. We are regularly faced with unforeseen situations that call for effective solutions, sometimes under time pressure. It is precisely this unpredictability that makes day-to-day life stimulating and pushes us to excel.

If you had to encourage someone to join your field or the laboratory, what would you say to them?

I would tell them that working at EPOC means operating in an environment that is both demanding and deeply motivating. You work alongside passionate researchers and contribute — in your own way — to work that has a real impact on our understanding of marine and coastal environments. And then, it must be said, the setting of the Arcachon Marine Station is exceptional. For someone who enjoys hands-on technical work and seeks meaning in their career, it really is the ideal place.

EPOC informations – may 2026