Postdoctoral position OT-28911
Post-doctoral position in Population Ecology and Epidemiology of grapevine diseases (24 months)
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
We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral population biologist to investigate and elucidate the dynamics of inoculum reservoirs in grapevine diseases.
A major challenge in plant disease epidemiology lies in exploring the frontiers of pathogen habitats and, consequently, revising our understanding of their life cycles and life-history strategies. Some of the most devastating crop diseases are caused by fungal and oomycete pathogens with mixed reproductive systems. During the growing season, these pathogens reproduce asexually, enabling rapid and efficient spread. Under harsher conditions, pathogens shift to sexual reproduction, a poorly understood but critical phase that generates the primary inoculum driving epidemic dynamic.
The project focuses on cryptogamic diseases of grapevine, particularly downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) and black rot (Guignardia bidwellii). Building on recent advances in our understanding of these major pathogens, your mission will be to:
- Identify and quantify the contribution of primary inoculum reservoirs in epidemics, and characterize their multi-year dynamics;
- Determine the abiotic factors that trigger the sexual cycle of grapevine pathogens;
- Identify the biotic factors influencing the long-term viability of the primary inoculum.
To achieve these objectives, you will employ a range of innovative tools (digital PCR, spore traps, image analysis) to quantify inoculum in soil and crop residues. Your research will contribute to the development and evaluation of new prophylactic strategies to reduce primary inoculum levels.
The postdoctoral position is funded by the SAVOIR program of PARSADA (part of the Ecophyto 2030 strategy, French Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty), which aims to develop preventive management of grapevine diseases based on prophylaxis. The project will be conducted at the UMR Grapevine Health and Vineyard Agroecology at INRAE Bordeaux.
For questions about the position, please contact: François Delmotte (francois.delmotte@inrae.fr)
¡ References of the lab on this topic
Aubertot J-N, Calonnec A. 2023. Méthodes, leviers et stratégies de lutte. In Reignault P; Sache I; Choquer M; Corio-Costet M; Dellagi A; Suffert F. Phytopathologie, 2e édition, DeBoeck Supérieur, pp.245-319.
Dussert, Y., Legrand, L., Mazet, I. D., Couture, C., Piron, M. C., Serre, R. F., ... & Delmotte, F. (2020). Identification of the first oomycete mating-type locus sequence in the grapevine downy mildew pathogen, Plasmopara viticola. Current Biology, 30(20), 3897-3907.
Poeydebat, C., Courchinoux, E., Demeaux, I., Rodriguez, M., Chataigner, A., Lelievre, M., ... & Delmotte, F. (2024). Quantitative assessment and spatial distribution of Plasmopara viticola oospores in vineyard soil. bioRxiv, 2024-07.
Training and skills
- PhD in epidemiology, phytopathology, biology, population dynamics, or population ecology, particularly of plant parasites or pathogens.
- Desired knowledge and skills:
- In-depth knowledge of phytopathology and biostatistics;
- Proven ability to design and conduct experiments in both laboratory and field settings;
- Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of epidemiology and agronomy;
- Prior experience in experimental epidemiology of plant pathogens will be an asset.
- Skills: Motivation and enthusiasm for research are key. Proven skills in writing scientific publications.
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)