Research Scientist F/M in grapevine ecophysiology and genomics.

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

• You will join the EGFV joint research unit (Ecophysiology and Functional Genomics of the Grapevine), located at the Institute of Vine and Wine Science (ISVV) in the INRAE Bordeaux-Aquitaine centre. The unit brings together staff with multidisciplinary expertise, whose scientific objective is to analyse the responses of grapevine genotypes (scion varieties and rootstocks) to environmental constraints and to decipher the underlying molecular, physiological and (epi)genetic mechanisms, using integrative biology approaches.

  The current context of climate change, characterised by rising temperatures and an increasing frequency of heatwaves and extreme events, is affecting grapevine development. This results notably in advanced phenology, a faster ripening phase occurring under warmer conditions, and the appearance of sunburn damage on leaves and bunches, which can affect both the quality and the quantity of the harvest.

  In this context, a new research project funded by the Olivier de Serres Chair (https://www.isvv.u-bordeaux.fr/fr/chaire-olivier-de-serres-adaptation-au-changement-climatique.html) aims to quantify the inter- and intra-varietal genetic sensitivity of grape bunches to sunburn induced by high temperatures. The mechanisms of thermotolerance and adaptation to high temperatures will also be studied through biochemical, transcriptomic, physiological and (epi)genomic approaches. This work will be complemented by experiments designed to assess the effectiveness of vineyard practices that promote berry acclimation and protection, such as early leaf removal or the application of surface products such as kaolin. The results will make it possible to identify the grape varieties and vineyard practices best suited to future climatic conditions, with a view to efficient transfer to wine industry stakeholders.

• More specifically, you will be responsible for:
  • Setting up experimental systems for heating grapes in the field and in the laboratory, and carrying out data acquisition, processing and dissemination of the results.
  • Analysing the mechanisms of berry tolerance and adaptation to high temperatures through biochemical, transcriptomic, physiological and epigenetic approaches.
  • Setting up experiments to assess the effectiveness of different vineyard practices in limiting sunburn damage. These experiments will be combined with monitoring of microclimatic conditions in order to characterise the effect of these practices on berry surface temperature.

• Specific working conditions: This research will be carried out in close collaboration with Drs Laure de Rességuier, Sabine Guillaumie and Jonathan Cahn, and Professor Philippe Gallusci of the EGFV joint research unit, Dr Julia Gouot of the Vitinnov research extension office, and Professor Laurence Gény-Denis of the ŒNOLOGIE joint research unit. International collaborations are being developed as part of this project, notably with Dr Matthias Friedel of Geisenheim University.

Training and skills

• Required qualification: PhD in plant ecophysiology and/or agronomy and/or molecular biology and/or biochemistry.
• Desired knowledge: grapevine ecophysiology and/or molecular biology and/or biochemistry; statistics, data management and analysis. Knowledge of bioinformatics would be an asset.
• Desired experience: previous experience in the above-mentioned fields. Field and laboratory experimentation (set-up and monitoring), image analysis, data analysis and processing, and dissemination of results.
• Skills and qualities sought:
  • A taste for field and laboratory experimentation
  • Strong adaptability, autonomy and initiative
  • Scientific rigour, analytical mind and ability to synthesise
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English
  • Ability to work effectively in a team and to collaborate with academic and industry partners
  • Ability to supervise interns
  • Ability to disseminate research results through publication in scientific journals

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