Postdoctoral position OT-28865
Postdoctoral position on the mechanisms involved in the variability of mycorrhizal responses in wheat.
31320 - CASTANET TOLOSAN
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
An 18-month postdoctoral position is available on a collaborative project between the research units "Laboratory of Plant-Microbe-Environment Interactions (LIPME)" and "Genetics, Diversity, and Ecophysiology of Cereals (GDEC)". The objective is to study 1) the impact of wheat genetics and plant nutritional status on the tripartite interaction between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), common wheat, and Zymoseptoria tritici, the pathogenic fungus responsible for septoria leaf blotch; 2) the potential trade-offs between resistance stimulation and growth stimulation by mycorrhiza; and 3) the underlying molecular mechanisms. Preliminary data showed that there is genetic variability in wheat for the stimulation by mycorrhiza of resistance to septoria leaf blotch and for mycorrhizal nutrition. The specificity of these responses will be tested using different strains of AMF and Z. tritici. The various factors (strains, plant genotype, and nutritional status) will be analysed under controlled conditions through a series of experiments, each combining some of these factors. The underlying molecular mechanisms will be studied using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches on the most contrasting genotypes and conditions. You will be based at LIPME on the INRAE Toulouse campus in Auzeville-Tolosane. You will interact with the on-site genomics, metabolomics, and microscopy platforms. You will benefit from the expertise of the EFIS team (LIPME) on wheat mycorrhiza and you will be trained in phenotyping septoria leaf blotch under controlled conditions, by the IPM team (GDEC) at the INRAE Clermont-Ferrand campus.
One or more short-term stays in Clermont-Ferrand
Training and skills
Expertise in plant-microbe interactions and skills in microbiology, plant biology, and molecular biology are expected. Skills in 'omics' analysis and international experience would be an advantage.
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
Please send your cover letter and CV in a single PDF file to benoit.lefebvre@inrae.fr and cyrille.saintenac@inrae.fr with the subject "MYCORESIST postdoctoral application". Applications will be reviewed from 20 April, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in early May.
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)