Nicolas Pade holds a PhD in molecular and spatial ecology from the University of Aberdeen (2009) with a focus on marine predators. His research focused on using molecular tools and satellite tracking to determine population genetic structure across ocean basins and local movement patterns. After his postdoctoral work, Nicolas moved into research management, being involved in the creation of the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC) and European project management, whilst acting as academic liaison officer for the Marine Biological Association of the UK (MBA). Beyond building international research collaborations, the role also involved engaging with regional policy makers and the private sector. In 2017, Nicolas became the executive officer for the French national research infrastructure EMBRC-France. Building on his experience of coordinating a national research infrastructure, Nicolas took on the role of executive director of EMBRC-ERIC to coordinate the full pan-European organisation in 2019.