Junior Research Scientist in translational systems genetics

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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

You will be working in the Genetics, Physiology and Breeding Systems research unit (GenPhySE, 136 permanent staff), which aims to develop animal production systems through genetic, nutritional and breeding management innovations, with a view to sustainable production. You will be working in the Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics team, which aims to identify the sources of molecular information transmitted across generations in order to better understand the molecular architecture of complex traits in domestic animals.

Genome-wide association studies have identified thousands of genomic regions contributing to the variability of complex traits in livestock. Nowadays, a major challenge remains to gain a more detailed understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms. This is the objective of systems genetics approaches, which aim to establish the link between genome and phenome by exploiting intermediate molecular phenotypes using different methods such as linkage and/or association mapping, co-expression networks, even the use of deep-learning models. This strategy takes advantage of the large amount of -omics data produced via the advent of high-throughput sequencing technologies and open science, which makes these data accessible for various species.

You will develop a cross-species systems genetics approach, by analysing and transferring knowledge obtained in different species, in order to accurately decipher genome-phenome relationships in livestock species studied by the host team. Firstly, you will implement a systems genetics strategy in pigs, using genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic datasets, to improve the knowledge of the molecular architecture of an agronomic trait of interest. You will then develop a cross-species approach to take advantage of the knowledge from other species by making optimal use of public datasets. In the longer term, you will extend this approach to explore the determinism of novel and less known traits, such as behaviours that may contribute to animals' adaptive capacities and welfare. In this case, the acquisition of phenotypes and de facto molecular-omics data is a limiting factor, and a plus-value is expected from cross-species systems genetics strategy.

You will work with the scientists of the host team working in the fields of transgenerational epigenetics, genome regulation and the analysis of complex genetic determinisms. You will also collaborate with members of other teams in the unit working on similar scientific questions and with skills in population genetics and quantitative genetics. In addition, you will benefit from cutting-edge technological infrastructures within the GIS GENOTOUL. You will benefit from networks already established by the host team and you will develop it locally, nationally and internationally.

Training and skills

With a PhD degree (or equivalent) in genetics and genomics, you have a strong interest in computational biology and issues related to the renewal of breeding conditions.

Mastery of multi-omics datasets and systems biology approaches is a plus. Knowledge of databases useful for your future activity is desirable.

Fluent English speaking and writing is recommended, as well as a long-term international experience.
Successful candidates who have not already such experience will be required to spend a period abroad at the end of the first 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.