POSTDOCTORAL POSITION: USING DEMO-GENETIC MODELS TO STUDY THE SPREAD AND EVOLUTION OF FUNGAL PATHOGENS IN AGRO-ECOSYSTEMS
The Research Unit of Evolutionary Ecology of Fungal Pathosystems (EEPF) at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA-Angers, UMR PaVe) invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral position in the area of applied mathematics. This position may be renewed for an additional year based upon the availability of funds. Funded by the French administrative area, the position is available from January, 2009 (with a flexible start date). The net salary will be approximately of 21,600 Euros per year.
The successful candidate is expected to develop effective methods, algorithms and software for parameter estimation and validation of a demo-genetic model characterizing the effects of genetic and spatial host heterogeneity on the evolution and spread of air-born fungal diseases. The candidate will collaborate with experimentalists working on plant pathology towards designing well-suited strategies of geographical deployment of resistant cultivars that could prevent
rapid pathogen evolution and spread. S/he is also expected to
collaborate with the members of Genetics and Horticulture team
breeding disease resistant cultivars.
A desirable candidate with a strong (Ph.D.) mathematical background will have good computer programming skills as well as a real interest in evolutionary ecology. Applicants with additional background and experience with data handling, statistics, fitting ODE/PDE models are especially encouraged to apply. The candidate should also have good interaction capability with experimentalists and a proven record of
independent research.
INRA is European’s leading agricultural research institute and has an international reputation in the research for the sustainable
agriculture. Successful applicants will join an active research team that spans many areas of plant pathology, genetics, and mathematical biology. EEPF studies the evolutionary processes of pathogen adaptation to resistant cultivars carrying quantitative (QTLs) and qualitative (major resistance genes) resistance, with the aim to improve the resistance durability.
Applicants should forward, no later than December 15, 2008, a cover letter detailing motivation, training, work experience and future plans, a curriculum vitae, a publications list, and three references or recommendation letters to Dr. Natalia Sapoukhina
natalia.sapoukhina@angers.inra.fr and Dr. Valérie Caffier, valerie.caffier@angers.inra.fr.
