Fixed-term Contract / Postdoctoral position - Exploring the stress resistance mechanisms in nematodes

31300

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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.

Work environment, missions and activities

THE INTHERES UNIT 

The UMR1436 INTHERES (INRAE / ENVT) is located on the campus of the National Veterinary
School of Toulouse (ENVT) and includes around 50 staff members.
The unit specializes in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies, with a strong commitment
to optimizing the use of antibiotics and antiparasitics in animal health.
The team includes INRAE researchers and ENVT academic staff with complementary expertise in
pharmacology, parasitology, physiology, and therapeutics.
It benefits from advanced analytical platforms and a dynamic local research environment (Axiom,
MétaToul, GenoToul).

POSTDOCTORAL PROJECT

The project is part of the "Resistance to Anthelmintics and Insecticides" research axis and aims to understand stress resistance mechanisms in nematodes, in relation to chemical stress (exposure to anthelmintics) and thermal stress (linked to climate change). The approach involves exposing worms to these stressors, individually or in combination, and exploring the associated metabolic, phenotypic, and genomic adaptations.You will work directly under the supervision of Pr Anne Lespine, head of the research axis. The team includes one INRAE scientist, a INRAE research engineer, 2 ENVT academic staff, 2 technical staff responsible for C. elegans model development.Two experimental models will be used : Caenorhabditis elegans (including natural and genetically modified drug-sensitive or resistant strains), and Haemonchus contortus (a parasitic nematode of small ruminants).The project is supported by two major collaborative funding sources: the European ICRAD project and the Carnot F2E program. The recruited researcher will be fully involved in their scientific implementation and follow-up.

MAIN ACTIVITIES

Advanced handling of C. elegans (crosses, transgenesis, phenotyping, etc.)• Exposure to individual or combined stressors• Biochemical, cellular, and molecular analyses• Collaboration with metabolomics, lipidomics, transcriptomics, and genomics platforms• Active participation in team activities (meetings, dissemination, possible student mentoring) .

 

SPECIFIC CONDITIONS• Work in sterile conditions• Handling of CMR (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, Reprotoxic) substances under current safetyprotocols 
 

Training and skills

PhD

PROFILE REQUIREDTraining : PhD in Biology, Molecular/Cell Biology, or Biochemistry ; ≥ 2 years of postdoctoral experience desired ; International experience is a plus

Skills : Proven expertise in C. elegans manipulation ; Strong knowledge of cellular stress responses and physiology ; Proficiency in molecular biology and data analysis tools (statistics / bioinformatics) ; Fluent in scientific English

Personal qualities : Team spirit, scientific rigor, autonomy ; Good communication and organizational 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: trainingcareer 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)

Offer reference

  • Contract: Postdoctoral position
  • Duration: 1 year (renewable)
  • Beginning: 01/01/2026
  • Remuneration: Gross Monthly Salary: €3136 (entry-level)
  • Reference: OT-27420
  • Deadline: 15/10/2025

Centre

Occitanie-Toulouse

INTHERES 1436

31300

Contact

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