Postdoctoral Researcher in New Breeding Technologies Development for Pear

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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

You will join the Institute for Research in Horticulture and Seeds, a leading research centre bringing together expertise in plant sciences, from genetics and genomics to physiology, plant pathology, microbiology and bioinformatics. Within this multidisciplinary environment, you will be part of the ResPom team, which focuses on understanding and improving the immunity of apple and pear trees against major pests and diseases through integrated approaches ranging from molecular biology to orchard-scale studies.

Your work will be carried out within the framework of the European SMARTER-FRUIT project. In a context of evolving European regulations and growing interest in New Breeding Technologies (NBTs), the project aims to develop innovative methods for producing NGT1 pear plants free from foreign DNA and to evaluate their potential for accelerating breeding and supporting the development of cropping systems better adapted to future environmental and climatic challenges.

This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the development of cutting-edge genome editing and breeding approaches for perennial fruit crops. Your research will support both methodological innovation and the generation of improved pear germplasm with enhanced resistance to fire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora.

Within this framework, you will be responsible for the following activities:

Development of NBT tools and plant material

• Design and clone genetic constructs required for the project.
• Develop and implement New Breeding Technologies for pear, including mobile CRISPR-RNA editing, trans-grafting approaches and intragenic strategies.
• Carry out in vitro procedures, including plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, regeneration of transformed shoots and micrografting.

Molecular and phenotypic characterisation

• Perform molecular analyses of regenerated lines, including verification of T-DNA integration or absence, recombination analyses, sequencing and gene expression studies.
• Assess genome editing efficiencies using appropriate molecular tools.
• Conduct phenotypic evaluations of selected lines under Erwinia amylovora infection conditions.

Scientific dissemination and project contribution

• Analyse, interpret and present research results to the team, project partners and the international scientific community.
• Conduct literature reviews and scientific monitoring to support research developments and technological innovation.
• Contribute to publications, reports and project deliverables.
• Supervise trainees involved in project activities.

The position involves compliance with regulatory requirements related to work on genetically modified organisms.

Regular interactions with international partners of the SMARTER-FRUIT project will require frequent communication in English.

Training and skills

You hold a PhD in plant biotechnology, plant biology, genetics, molecular biology or a closely related field.

Previous postdoctoral experience is appreciated, although applications from recently graduated PhD holders are also welcome. Eligibility is limited to candidates within six years of obtaining their PhD, in accordance with project requirements.

Know-how:

• Experience in plant biotechnology and molecular biology techniques.
• Ability to design and perform cloning, PCR, sequencing and gene expression analyses.
• Experience with plant tissue culture, genetic transformation and regeneration procedures.
• Knowledge of genome editing and New Breeding Technologies, including CRISPR-Cas9, cisgenesis and intragenesis.
• Skills in microbiology, including the culture of Escherichia coli and Agrobacterium.
• Ability to analyse, interpret and communicate scientific results.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Interpersonal skills:

• Scientific rigour and strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative projects.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Team spirit and capacity to interact with multidisciplinary and international partners.
• Ability to supervise students and share knowledge effectively.

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