Dear Forpathers,
We are looking for a highly motivated junior research scientist to develop a population genomics project on forest fungal pathogens.
Candidates
should have a strong background in evolutionary ecology and
above all
population genetics. Skills in next-generation sequencing
analysis are
required. Knowledge on host-parasite interactions would be a
plus.
Details on how to apply
and the guide for applicants
can be found at
http://www.inra.fr/drh/cr2011/index.php?langue=EN
Deadline for application is February 24th.
Below is an abstract of proposal context.
The field of population genomics has recently emerged at the cross between traditional population genetics and the development of high-throughput techniques, with the aim to decipher the strength of selection events on genome evolution. Although not yet widely applied to plant pathology studies, these approaches seem particularly well suited to reveal the genetic bases of the adaptive potential of fungal plant pathogens. While the rapid pace of pathogen evolution (which result from intensive selection pressure through the massive deployment of resistance genes) presents a major impediment to sustainable agriculture, it also provides interesting opportunities to better understand the evolutionary biology of host–parasite interactions.
The project stands
at the core of the joint unit Tree-Microorganism
interactions (located near
Nancy, North-eastern France) and lies at the interface of
its two major teams
“ecology and population biology of tree fungal pathogens”
(directed by Benoit
Marcais) and “eco-genomics of interactions” (directed by
Francis Martin). The
hired junior scientist will thus benefit from the
complementary skills and
resources of these two teams, i.e. advanced population
genetics knowledge,
large and historical population samplings, great genomic
tools and molecular
resources, genome sequences and transcriptomic analyses
performed on model
pathogen species, including the poplar rust fungus
(Melampsora larici-populina).