Junior research scientist on the trafficking of macromolecules of plant viruses

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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 Plant Health Institute of Montpellier (PHIM) conducts research on plant health, focusing particularly on plant-microorganism and bioaggressor interactions (viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects). You will join the MULTI team, whose thematic is the study of the biology of multi-component viral systems. The host team recently demonstrated the existence of a multicellular lifestyle in multipartite viruses (Nanovirus model), where the viral genome operates with its different genomic segments located in distinct host cells. This phenomenon is made possible by the exchange of gene expression products between cells, allowing functional complementation at supracellular level. The impact of this discovery is considerable: it introduces a new perspective in the study of viruses, now possibly considered as biological entities also capable of unsuspected intercellular interactions. To go further, you will need to identify and characterize the gene expression products (mRNAs and/or proteins) that traffic between cells and over long distances, the underlying molecular mechanisms, and their regulation. Your main mission will be to elucidate these questions and thus contribute to advancing the understanding of this newly discovered multicellularity in viruses. In the longer term, the project may extend to viruses other than those studied by the team to establish a functional map of the trafficking of viral gene expression products. The challenge will be to understand the heterogeneity that exists in the expressed viral functions depending on the cells/tissues/organs colonized with different combinations of these gene expression products. For example, specific trafficking of the expression products of different viral genes could differentially functionalize the cells/tissues/organs of the infected host, inducing local specialization/differentiation whose orchestration would allow host infection. This concept has been barely explored, if at all, in virology. It should represent a new research theme at PHIM, offering you a particularly interesting perspective for autonomy and career development.

The research scientist position will require working in a restricted access zone (ZRR), which necessitates an access authorization request.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). Desired training and skills include plant physiology, virology, cell biology, molecular biology. Extensive experience in cellular imaging, including in vivo approaches, is highly recommended. Originality and creativity in previous work are key criteria for the host team. 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).

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-SPE-6
3. I apply GO