Engineer in molecular biology / genomics

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

• You will join the “Fruit Development, Flowering and Environmental contraints” team, part of the “Fruit Bioloy & Pathology” lab. The lab is located on the INRAE campus of Villenave d’Ornon, in the south suburb of Bordeaux.

You will be involved in the TomENCODE ANR project which aims to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression during endoreduplication in the tomato fruit.

To achieve this goal, we use various techniques based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) in order to understand how changes in chromatin organisation (ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN, CUT&TAG) affect RNA expression (mRNA-seq, smallRNA-seq, single nuclei RNA-seq).

You will be involved mainly in the production of omics datasets and their first-level analysis.

• More specifically, your role will be to actively participate in:

- Taking care of plant cultures in the green house and collecting biological samples for omics analyses.

- Analysing ploidy by flow cyometry and performing nuclei sorting using a cell sorter

- Preparing and performing experiments aimed at analysing chromatin (ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN, CUT&TAG, …)

- Performing purifications (RNA, DNA, proteins) from the biological samples and performing transcriptomic analyses

- Collecting, saving and archiving NGS sequencing datasets

- Performing quality controls and first-level bioinformatic analysis of NGS datasets

- You may also be involved in the following activities: cloning, protein purification, transgenic plants transformation, molecular analysis and phenotyping of plants.

• Environment : You will benefit from a stimulating environment on the INRAE campus that hosts several excellent laboratories focused on plant biology, plant pathology and environmental sciences. Greenhouses and facilities for metabolomics and imaging are present on campus. Flow cytometry and genomic facilities are located within 15min from the lab. You will benefit from the scientific expertise of your direct supervisors, Nathalie Gonzalez and Pascal Martin, and from the expertise of the members of the FDFE teams in plant growth and phenotyping, endoreduplication, cellular biology, functional genomics, cellular imaging and bioinformatics. Located at the heart of the world-renowned wine region, Bordeaux has a lot to offer with its rich history, international level university campus and a thriving cultural scene!

Special working condition : Frequent trips to local scientific facilities (located at ~15min from the lab) are required. A valid driver’s licence is necessary.

Training and skills

• Recommended training : Master’s degree in molecular biology / biochemistry / plant science or equivalent
• Knowledge required : Strong background in molecular biology and genomics, preferably with a solid experience in omics approaches. Basic skills in bioinformatics and understanding of statistical analysis.
• Appreciated experience : Previous experience in bioinformatic analysis of omics datasets using command line tools, string interest for developmental biology, experience in microscopy
• Skills sought : Strong organisational skills and ability to work independently. Ability to communicate research results. Willingnes to collaborate with colleagues from different scientific backgrounds (biologists, bioinformaticians).

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter