Postdoctoral position in functional genomics : analysis of premature ovarian insufficiency using fish models

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

As part of a collaboration between Julien Bobe (INRAE Rennes) and Sylvie Jaillard (Rennes University Hospital), partners in the ANR-funded OVOPATH project (2027–2030), the recruited postdoctoral researcher will aim to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating female fertility. The main scientific challenge of the project is to identify and functionally validate genetic determinants of fertility in vertebrates and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Based on data from patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), a condition that is a major cause of female infertility, the hospital partner has identified strong candidate genes carrying mutations that may explain the condition. These genes are currently classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS). The role of these genes in fertility will be functionally validated in vivo using the medaka fish model, which enables a semi-high-throughput approach through genome editing to disrupt gene function. Confirmation of a reduced-fertility phenotype in medaka in vivo will pave the way for investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms, which is the main objective of the PhD project. The broader relevance of these findings will be considerable, owing to the integrated use of human clinical data and experimental studies in a model fish species.

Training and skills

Demonstrated expertise in reproductive or developmental biology using animal models. 

Previous experience in genome editiing and comparative genomics, would be an advantage.

INRAE's life quality

By joining INRAE, you can benefit from, depending on the type and duration of your contract:

- up to 30 days of annual leave + up to 15 additional days off (for full-time employees);
- access to the French public healthcare system;
- 50% of the cost of your supplementary health insurance covered by INRAE;
- childcare and parenting support;
- training and career guidance;
- social assistance and financial support;
- holiday vouchers and accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- subsidised staff restaurants.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter