Research Engineer in Neurobiology / olfactory-mediated behavior

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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.

 You will be welcomed in the unit Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviors (PRC) located in Nouzilly, north of Tours. The unit is composed of 8 multidisciplinary teams conducting fundamental and applied research in three major disciplinary fields: behavioral biology and neuroendocrinology, systems biology and modeling, and reproductive biology. The UMR PRC has the dual mission of advancing scientific knowledge at the most fundamental level and of answering scientific questions raised by societal issues in connection with various socio-economic players in the animal production and human health sectors. Our Research Institute offers high quality innovative research experience, and outstanding well- equipped research facilities in an inspiring research environment.

Our team investigates signal transduction mechanisms with the ultimate goal of elucidating the molecular and cellular events that modulate mammalian social behavior. Our main interest is to define the molecular, cellular and neural basis of basic olfactory-mediated social behaviors – from circuit characterization to behavioral relevance. In the recent years, we have pioneered the characterization of olfactory signaling mechanisms that have important implications in aggression, sexual behavior and predator recognition. Our multidisciplinary approach includes genetically modified mice, circuit tracing, high-resolution imaging, and behavior testing to manipulate and monitor the physiological properties of olfactory circuits and to address their functional role in the control of social behavior. The goal of this project is to investigate circuits underlying social behavior processing in mouse models of pathological conditions affecting social behaviors.

 You will be in charge of:

• Neuronal Activity Monitoring: Ex-vivo neuronal activity recording by calcium imaging using genetically-encoded indicators and/or calcium dyes
• Social behavior assessment: Investigate how olfaction affects the functional connectivity and neuronal networks controlling social behaviour and refine protocols for intranasal drug delivery.
• Data Analysis: Conduct detailed analyses of imaging and behavioral data to delineate network disruptions caused by different pathological conditions
• Collaborative Research: Engage with multidisciplinary teams across imaging, neuroanatomy, and computational modeling to synthesize and integrate findings.
• Scholarly Communication: Author scientific papers and present findings at international meetings.
• Funding for the positions is available, although application to independent funding will be encouraged.

 

Work environment, missions and activities

Special conditions of activity: This is a collaborative project carried out in partnership with three other teams, where interactions in form of meetings and discussions will take place regularly.

Training and skills

 Recommended training: Ph.D. degree in Biology or related discipline.

 Knowledge required: Advanced experience in modern techniques in neuroscience (neuroanatomy, viral vector use, molecular biology).

 Appreciated experience: A strong knowledge of genetic models, particularly mouse, and live-cell imaging, is an advantage.

 Skills sought: Excellent spoken and written English is indispensable, with strong written and oral communication skills required for scientific dissemination.

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