post doctoral position

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Please distribute this information to potential students.

 [Wheat adaptation] post-doctoral position
at UMR EGC Grignon, FRANCE

The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) is seeking an innovative, self-motivate, scientifically oustanding candidate for a post-doctoral position to investigate mechanisms involved in nitrogen deficiency tolerance of bread wheat using a simplified model of C/N relations and root architecture. This work will provide knowledge and new QTL to aid in the development of wheat varieties adapted to low input production systems, which are favoured in Europe due to low market prices and increasing environmental concerns. The position will be based at UMR EGC INRA/INA-PG,  laboratory specialised in C and N interactions at plant and crop level, at Grignon, located 40 km West of Paris. The appointee will spend short periods in INRA Genetics and Breeding units in Rennes and Clermont-Ferrand.

Description: A population of di-haploid (DH) lines was produced from the cross between 'Arche' and 'Récital', two varieties contrasted for their tolerance in N deficiency. QTL for N stress reaction were detected in the field. A sample of the DH lines was also grown at low N level under controlled conditions. To find pertinent parameters to explain N response, a simplified conceptual plant model was used to analyse N absorption in relation to C assimilation. It appeared that the most variable model parameter was N uptake rate computed as the ratio between total plant N and cumulated root length. A QTL detection was carried out on state variables and on model parameters to identify interesting chromosomic regions. We were however not able to take into account the relation between root biomass and architecture that is known to be a major mechanism of adaptation to mineral deficiency.
We propose to further investigate wheat N deficiency tolerance under controlled conditions. The appointee will adapt an Arabidopsis model on wheat to take into account the response of root architecture to the C and N environment of the plant. He/she will then test a population of DH lines in controlled conditions to perform a QTL detection on parameters of the model. He/she will validate the QTL and the model by predicting and testing the behaviour of allelic compositions.

Qualifications and experience:
Required: Ph. D. in plant or crop physiology Training in modelling, and in biometric analyses. Demonstrated ability to publish papers in refereed international journals.
Preferred: Experience with QTL analysis will be appreciated.

Terms: appointment for 12 months.
Starting date: between 1st Jan and 1st April 2007.
Salary: around 2100 ¤/month

Literature:
Laperche A, M Brancourt-Hulmel, E Heumez, O Gardet, J Le Gouis (2006) Estimation of genetic parameters of a DH wheat population grown at different N stress levels characterized with probe genotypes. Theor. Appl. Genet. 112:797-807.
Laperche A, M Brancourt-Hulmel, E Heumez, E Hanocq, F Devienne-Barret, J Le Gouis (2007) Using genotype x nitrogen interaction variables to evaluate the QTL involved in wheat tolerance to nitrogen constraints. Theor. Appl. Genet. (accepted)
Laperche A, F Devienne-Barret, O Maury, J Le Gouis, B Ney (2006) A simple conceptual framework of carbon and nitrogen relationship for QTL analysis of winter wheat adaptation to nitrogen deficiency. Theor. Appl. Genet. 113:131-1146
Le Gouis J, D Beghin, E Heumez, P Pluchard. (2000) Genetic differences for nitrogen uptake and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies in winter wheat. Eur. J. Agron. 12:163-173

To apply:
Send (e-mail is acceptable): 1) a letter of application discussing how the stated qualifications are met; 2) a detailed curriculum vitae; 3) a list of publications and 4) names and addresses (including phone and e-mail) of three current references, to:

Anne Laperche
Science du Végétal
Agrocampus Rennes
65, rue de Saint-brieuc - CS 84215
35042 Rennes cedex

tél : (00 33) [phone]
fax : (00 33) [phone]
e-mail : Anne.Laperche@...

--

Bertrand NEY
ney@...

Professeur à AGROPARISTECH               UMR INRA AgroParisTech Environnement et Grandes cultures

UMR EGC, 78850 Thiverval Grignon, France

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