Post doctorat : Responses of maritime pine to biotic (fomes, nematodes) and abiotic (water stress) stresses and application in genetic improvement

Back to jobs listing

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

CONTEXT

The forestry and timber industry employs more than 50,000 people in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and the turnover generated by companies in the sector is close to €10 billion, ranking it first among French regions. In this region, maritime pine plantations cover around 800,000 hectares, which is a major challenge for the forestry and timber industry at both regional and national level, accounting for 24% of French timber harvests. Thanks to the research and development work carried out by the “Groupe Pin Maritime du Futur” scientific interest group, new varieties improved for wood production and adaptation are regularly distributed (28 million seedlings/year in a “normal” year, up to 44 million following reforestation after Storm Klaus). This forest is now facing biotic and abiotic stresses and disturbances that are intensifying with global change. Most climate change scenarios predict an increase in average temperatures and the severity of droughts. Many pathogens are therefore likely to cause greater damage in response to these changes, particularly as trees become more susceptible.

PROJECT

The objective of this project is to study the responses of maritime pine to water stress and two biotic stresses (fomes and nematodes) in order to identify overall defense mechanisms, whether they are inherent (always present) or induced by these stresses. Several avenues will be explored to identify these defense mechanisms, in relation to metabolomics and hydraulic functioning. Particular focus will be placed on the response to biotic risks in a context of severe water stress. Indeed, a decrease in water supply is likely to mobilize certain carbohydrate reserves and alter the physiological balance of the host as well as the activity of certain pests and pathogens. A better understanding of trees' response to stress will enable selection criteria to be defined as part of the maritime pine improvement program.

The project will focus on maritime pine populations in Landes and Corsica, as these are the sources used for deployment in the southwest. They are also well characterized for many phenotypes (growth, adaptation, wood quality) by the GIS Pin Maritime du Futur (Maritime Pine of the Future GIS and preliminary results indicate differences in nematode resistance and the chemical composition of wood and needles..

The impact of stress will be assessed using various approaches: metabolomics, anatomy (wood), hydraulic functioning of plants, and molecular analysis.

The project will benefit from numerous existing facilities and confined equipment (Emergreen plateform).

You will join the BIOGECO laboratory, a joint research unit comprising staff from INRAE and the University of Bordeaux. Your work will be part of the PSGAR (Highly ambitious regional scientific projects) « multiple risk management in the forests of New Aquitaine » under the supervision of Marc Kleinhentz and Laurent Bouffier (BIOGECO) 

Training and skills

-Recommended training: PhD

-Required skills and abilities:

• Proficiency in statistical analysis. Knowledge of machine learning would be a plus.
• Knowledge of nematology and/or metabolomics and/or ecophysiology and/or plant anatomy is desirable.
• Methodological rigor. Ability to integrate and work in a multidisciplinary team and to understand the concepts and methods of these complementary disciplines.
• Analytical and synthesis skills.
• Writing skills (French, English).

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