Temporary position OT-27048
Engineer F/M to study the genetic diversity of root anatomy in grapevine rootstocks
33140 VILLENAVE D'ORNON
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.
Work environment, missions and activities
You will be working in the INRAE laboratory Ecophysiologie et Génomique Fonctionnelle de la Vigne (UMR EGFV) located at the Institut des Sciences de la Vigne et du Vin (ISVV), near Bordeaux. The EGFV lab offers the necessary scientific and technical environment for the research project. https://www6.bordeaux-aquitaine.inrae.fr/egfv/. The project is part of the chair Olivier de Serres whose objective is to study the impacts of climate change and the adaptation of vineyards in close interaction with outstanding professionals of the viticultural sector.
In particular, the engineer will participate in a working package dealing with the characterization of root anatomical traits and modelling of trait combinations that allow grapevine rootstocks to cope with water stress. The final aim is to identify anatomical traits to build ideotypes to be targeted in the grapevine rootstock breeding program coordinated by EGFV. For this purpose, the genetic diversity of the root anatomical traits involved in drought tolerance will be evaluated in a panel of genetic resources interesting for the grapevine rootstock breeding program.
You will be in charge of:
- Experimental work to characterize/phenotype root anatomy by cross-sections of fine grapevine rootstock roots. Staining procedures will be applied to differentiate the different tissues and structures. The stained samples will be observed with a fluorescence microscope.
- Modelling of root hydraulic properties: the hydraulic properties (e.g. radial and axial conductance) of the roots will be simulated taking into account root anatomy through the use of different models (GRANAR and MECHA; Heymans et al., 2021). For this purpose, already acquired data at EGFV and from the scientific literature will be used.
- Microscopy image analysis obtained from different technics to estimate root anatomical traits from longitudinal sections, cross-sections and 3D reconstructions. Machine-learning approaches for image segmentation could be implemented.
Scientific dissemination of methodological results and knowledge: conference papers, scientific publications and technical reports deliverables
Special conditions of activity: laboratory and greenhouse/field work.
Training and skills
Recommended training: Master 2 Research or engineer in Plant Biology, Agricultural Engineering, Plant Physiology and Genetics or a related field.
Knowledge required: microscopy techniques, modeling tools, image analysis.
Appreciated experience: experience in experimental work with plant roots, including root sampling and preparation of anatomical sections. Experience with machine learning or AI-based image classification is a strong asset.
Skills sought: Ability to work independently in the lab and coordinate experimental protocols. Data analysis skills, preferably with R or Python. Scientific writing skills.
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
All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the Civil Service Code, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear. > Find out more: fonction publique.gouv.fr website (in French)