Junior research scientist in integrative biology of xylogenesis

Back to campaign's jobs listing

INRAE presentation

INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, is a public research organization bringing together 12,000 employees across 272 units in 18 centers across France. As the world’s leading institute specializing in agriculture, food, and the environment, INRAE plays a key role in supporting the necessary transitions to address global challenges.

Faced with population growth, food security challenges, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, INRAE is committed to developing scientific solutions and supporting the evolution of agricultural, food, and environmental practices.

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

Work environment, missions and activities

The BioForA joint research unit (Integrated Biology for the Development of Tree and Forest Diversity) is involved in a scientific project aimed at developing forest genetic resources for the sustainable production of wood in a changing climate. BioForA brings together expertise in physiology, genetics, and genomics to understand the genetic architecture of complex traits specific to trees and to use this knowledge to better predict how forests will adapt to changing environments. Wood is an essential tissue for trees, providing various physiological functions (mechanical, hydraulic, reserves) that are essential for their development and long-term survival. The properties of wood are established during xylogenesis, controlled by genetic and environmental factors.
You will develop an integrative biology project to produce knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involved in xylogenesis under multiple environmental constraints mimicking the effects of climate change. You will analyse how the cambium, the secondary meristem at the origin of wood cells, perceives and responds to environmental conditions. You will identify the molecular mechanisms involved, more specifically in the adaptive plasticity of cambial function, as well as the trade-offs between the different physiological functions of wood. This project will be developed primarily on poplar, a species of economic interest and a model forest tree widely used at BioForA and internationally. In the medium term, similar approaches could be envisaged for larch as a comparative study of a conifer species with different wood structure and properties.
To answer these research questions, you will develop experimental tools to monitor xylogenesis under different environmental conditions. Your research project will be based on cellular scale transcriptome analysis (single-cell sequencing) and medium throughput phenotyping of the anatomical, chemical, and mechanical properties of wood. These properties can be assessed using a variety of innovative microscopy and image analysis techniques (including hyperspectral infrared imaging to analyse cell wall components in situ). You will integrate these data to construct gene networks that explain how the cambium functions depending on the different constraints applied. You will use genome editing methods to design edited poplar lines that can disrupt these gene networks. You will seek to establish direct causal relationships between genetic polymorphism created by editing, variations in expression in the networks, and variations in phenotype. To initiate your project, you will benefit from multi-omics data already generated by BioForA, which can guide the selection of candidate genes to be prioritised in your project, as well as innovative genome editing and microphenotyping methods. You can rely on a team of colleagues with expertise in wood formation physiology, genome editing, quantitative and population genetics, statistics and bioinformatics, an established partnership of national and European collaborators, and multidisciplinary networks (GDR Sciences du Bois, Réseau Français des Parois). You will have on-site access to the Tree Cell Engineering Laboratory (LICA) for all experiments in a confined environment, and to the Phénobois platform for phenotyping wood properties.

Experiments on transgenic or edited poplars will take place at LICA, in the combined L2S2 laboratory/greenhouse building, in compliance with biosafety regulations. For further information: https://www6.inrae.fr/lica/

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). 
Specialisation in functional genomics and developmental and/or integrative biology is desirable. Skills in molecular biology, cell biology and physiology would be appreciated.
Candidates should have a good command of English (both written and spoken), and long-term international experience would also be desirable. Successful candidates who have not yet acquired this experience abroad will be required to do so after their probationary period (1st year).

Let’s talk about your future job in a video!

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. 

How to apply

1. I download the applicant guide Application guidelines CRCN 2025 pdf - 3.93 MB
2. I write down the profile number CR-2025-ECODIV-2
3. I apply GO