Junior research scientist in biomineralization in birds

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) is a public research establishment under the dual authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Research.

INRAE is recruiting researchers by open competition and offering permanent position.

It is a major player in research and innovation created on 1^st of January 2020. INRAE is a research institute resulting from the merger of INRA and IRSTEA. It is a community of 12,000 people with more than 200 research units and 42 experimental units located throughout France.

The institute is among the world leaders in agricultural and food sciences, in plant and animal sciences, and is 11^th in the world in ecology and environment. INRAE’s main goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. In the face of the increase in population, climate change, scarcity of resources and decline in biodiversity, the institute develops solutions for multiperformance agriculture, high quality food and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems.

Work environment, missions and activities

The Joint Research Unit “Bird Biology and Poultry” located in Nouzilly, near Tours, conducts integrated research on the biology of birds, from the molecular level to that of the animal in its environment, in order to develop sustainable breeding systems that respect animal welfare and meet the expectations of the public and the industry. Within this unit, you will join the DOVE team (soon to be BOPP for Biology of the Egg and Physiology of the Hen), which is composed of 12 permanent staff, including 7 researchers and teacher-researchers, and whose main theme is to elucidate the mechanisms involved in egg formation and to explore the functions of egg molecules in the hen.
Your project will consist of identifying the molecular, vesicular and cellular mechanisms involved in the exchange of calcium between the calcite of the shell and the hydroxyapatite of the bone, two interdependent calcified structures.
You will characterise all the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the mineralisation of the shell and bone, by adopting a comparative biology approach by looking at other bio-mineralised structures or organisms (corals, bivalves, etc.), but also by comparing different rearing parameters (level of feeding, nature of the components of the feed, physiological stage of the animal). For this, you will rely on the results of experimental protocols shared within the unit. In the longer term, while conducting your own project, you will be able to contribute your expertise on vesicular trafficking to the unit's themes on the processes of endocytosis and exocytosis. Your work will contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between the two mineralised structures in birds, which is necessary to improve egg quality and ensure the well-being and health of hens.

Training and skills

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent.
Skills required in cell and molecular biology, if possible in mineral biochemistry. Basic training in animal physiology or animal production would be an advantage. Expertise in high-throughput data integration will be appreciated.
Fluency in English is desirable, as well as long-term international experience: successful candidates who have not yet had such experience will be required to undertake a period of study abroad at the end of the internship year.

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from:

- 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.

For international scientists: please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.