Job title: Post-doctoral fellow (M/F) : Biologist specialised in the molecular biology and evo-devo of plants
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Location: Villeurbanne, Rhône
Job Description: Offer DescriptionThis contract is offered in the context of the ANR project “INFER-ANTH” which aims to infer unknown steps in the origin of angiosperms by studying ancestralized regulatory molecules from this group. The angiosperms, commonly called “flowering plants” and numbering today over 300 000 species, derive from an unknown group of seed plants which must have lived before the start of the Cretaceous (145 million years ago). The early history of angiosperms, during which the characteristics of the first flowers appeared, remains very enigmatic. Though we have no living outgroup close to the flowering plants that could help us reconstruct their early evolution, we do know that their initial radiation was preceded by a whole genome duplication event called epsilon. Several gene lineages possibly originating at epsilon control aspects of flower development (etc) that have been conserved at least since the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of living angiosperms. This project proposes a novel approach in which the evolutionary history of several multigenic families will be used to determine the relative order of appearance of pleisiomorphic angiosperm characters including the carpel, outer integument of the ovule, bisexual axis, perianth, and high pollen-tube growth rate, and the relationship of these events with epsilon. This information can then be used to choose between alternative candidates for the ancestor of angiosperms, known from the fossil record, which possess different sub-sets of angiosperms-like characters.
The researcher to be recruited will work as part of a team of bioinformaticians at Université Lyon 1 in close collaboration with a team of biologists at ENS-Lyon to test hypotheses on the link between molecular evolutionary events, which have been or are being identified in the project, and the origin of angiosperm-specific characteristics. Firstly, he/she will test a hypothesis already constructed which proposes a role for the YABBY family of transcription factors in the origin and orientation of the outer ovule integument of angiosperms. These studies will principally involve the use of molecular biological methods (plasmid construction, genetic transformation of plants, RNA in-situ hybridisation etc). Later in the project, the researcher to be recruited may be asked to test other hypotheses currently under construction involving genes of several families, including MADS-box transcription factors (which control, among other processes, the patterning of the bisexual floral axis and the production of perianth organs) and pectin methylesterase inhibitors (which regulate pollen-tube growth rates). The researcher to be recruited will also help with the development of tools and resources useful to the project, including transcriptomic data and an efficient protocol for genetic transformation of the basal angiosperm Nymphaea thermarum.The researcher to be recruited will use a variety of methods of molecular biology, including in-vivo approaches (e.g. plant genetic transformation, followed by phenotypic analyses) and in-vitro approaches (e.g. DAP-seq and yeast-2-hybrid analysis). He/she will be required to handle DNA and protein sequence data by using standard computer programmes to, for example, identify and align sequences of interest, construct plasmid maps etc.The person recruited will join the Biometry and Evolutionary Biology Laboratory ( ) located on the Lyon Tech La Doua university campus in Villeurbanne, and will work in the Le Cocon team in close collaboration with the ‚Evolution and development of the flower‘ thematic team in the Plant Reproduction and Development Laboratory at the ENS.Where to apply WebsiteRequirementsResearch Field Biological sciences Education Level PhD or equivalentResearch Field Environmental science Education Level PhD or equivalentLanguages FRENCH Level BasicResearch Field Biological sciences Years of Research Experience 1 – 4Research Field Environmental science Years of Research Experience 1 – 4Additional InformationEligibility criteriaWe are looking for candidates with a solid experience in plant molecular biology, including plasmid construction, plant genetic transformation and RNA in-situ hybridisation. Capabilities in imaging techniques (e.g. light and electron microscopy) will be highly appreciated for the phenotypic characterisation of transgenic plants. Direct experience of DAP-seq and/or yeast-2-hybrid analysis could also be an advantage. Basic capabilities in the in-silico handling of DNA and protein sequence data will be necessary, while an ability to handle large datasets (e.g. from RNA-seq or DAP-seq experiments) might also be an advantage. We will particularly appreciate candidates who are used to thinking in terms of the evolution and development of plants.Additional commentsOur little extras :
– A stimulating working environment in contact with research staff
– Professional support with in-house laboratory training
– The possibility of teleworking
– A company restaurant where you can have lunch at a reasonable price.
– Partial reimbursement of travel expenses (75%)
+ sustainable mobility package of up to €300/year
– A site accessible by public transport (Tram T1 + T4 + bus)
– 44 days‘ holiday / RTT per year
– Financial contribution towards the cost of health insurance Website for additional job detailsWork Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive Country France City VILLEURBANNE GeofieldContact CityVILLEURBANNE WebsiteSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page
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