Postdoctoral position OT-28124
Post-doctoral level position (36 months) in myogenesis: Stem cell molecular imprint and niche, muscle growth
35042 RENNES
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
Project overview
Most of fish exhibit continuous post-larval muscle growth, characterized by persistent formation of new muscle fibers from muscle stem cells (satellite cells) after hatching. However, after the hyperplastic growth phase, the number of stem cells and the functionality of their niche are greatly reduced even if growth continues.
Two partner research laboratories recognized for their work on myogenesis and stem cells, namely UR LPGP and UMR PAnTher, recently obtained a French national funding (ANR portal) for the implementation of a project entitled “AMuFish”, which aims to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the decline in the functionality of the muscle stem cell niche in trout. To achieve this goal, we will study (i) the evolution of the transcriptome of muscle fiber nuclei, (ii) the respective role of trout weight and age, and (iii) how the decline of the niche functionality modulates the behavior of muscle stem cells.
Key responsibilities of the post-doctoral researcher
- She/He will be in charge of designing and conducting in vivo and in vitro experiments that will lead to a better understand of muscle stem cell niche.
- She/He will produce the bioinformatic analysis of the set of RNAseq data.
- She/He will work under the double supervision of Jean-Charles Gabillard (project and team leader) and Karl Rouger (team leader). She/He will interact with other members of the both research units.
Main activities
- Define the study and data collection plan to be implemented to provide information on the snRNAseq and the main features of the stem cell niche to answer the biological questions.
- Provide feedback to partners on the potential and limitations of the approaches and organize a technical progress review.
- Process data by analyzing, interpreting and validating the results.
- Disseminate and promote results and technological achievements.
- Apply health and safety rules in the field.
Location
Fish Physiology and Genomics Laboratory, Rennes, FRANCE (main).
Animal Pathophysiology and Biotherapy of muscle and nervous system diseases, Nantes, FRANCE (secondary).
Training and skills
Candidate profile
- A Ph.D. in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
- Highly motivated, curious and enthusiastic applicant holding a PhD in myogenesis, with a strong interest in cell biology and muscle growth.
- A former experience in muscle tissue investigation will be appreciated.
Scientific and Methodological skills
- Expertise in muscle biology.
- Experience with single cell and/or nuclei RNAseq analyses.
Operational skills
- Guarantee the quality and relevance of analysis tools and results.
- Use informatics tools and software specific to the activity.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing to different audiences.
Behavioral skills
- Autonomy, initiative, and organizational skills.
- Scientific rigor, and critical sense.
- Analytical reasoning, and task planning.
- Ability to work as part of a team (interpersonal 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)