Call for applications for a 17 months Postdoctoral Fellowship on “Evolution
of genomes in the genus Rosa” at the Research Institute in Horticulture and
Seeds (Angers, France)



A 17-months postdoctoral researcher position is available at the University
of Angers (France). The project is a collaboration between the "Research
Institute of Horticulture and Seeds" in Angers, astride two teams “Genetics
and Diversity of Ornamentals” (GDO,
http://www6.angers-nantes.inra.fr/irhs_eng/Research/GDO) and
“Bioinformatics” (BioInfo,
http://www6.angers-nantes.inra.fr/irhs_eng/Research/BioInfo), and the group
of Pr Thomas Debener from the “Institute for Plant Genetics” at the
Leibniz University of Hannover (Germany;
http://www.genetik.uni-hannover.de/index.html?&L=1). The project will be a
bio-informatic analysis of the evolution of genomes in the genus Rosa, at two
levels: (i) the research of structural variants (SVs), and (ii) the study of
the evolution of resistance gene families (see details below). Applications
are open for candidates who did not have spent more than 12 months in France
within the last 3 years immediately prior to the expected date of
recruitment. The net salary (after taxes) is 2409.58 €/month. The
opportunity to apply for AgreenSkills programmes
(https://www.agreenskills.eu/) may allow to increase this salary. The
beginning of the contract is expected for February or March 2017. The
postdoctoral researcher will be based in Angers, regularly cited as the most
pleasant city to live in France, and at proximity to the Loire Valley.
Travels are planned between Angers and Hanover.



Summary of the project: The rose bush is the most economically important
ornamental plant and the model plant for many studies about ornamental traits
(flowering, fragrance, disease resistance). The rose bush, constituting the
genus Rosa, has a complex evolutionary history with interspecific
hybridization events and polyploidizations. Little information about these
events is presently available, mainly hypotheses drawn from sparse molecular
markers. Recently, as part of an international consortium, co-coordinated by
the GDO team, the first version of the genome sequence of a variety of rose
(Rosa chinensis cv. ‘Old Blush’) has been obtained. In this genomic
context, we propose to study the evolutionary history of the genus Rosa by
resequencing different species of the genus Rosa. The objective is to
understand the evolution of genomes in the genus Rosa, and especially to
focus on the processes that led to the creation of wild species, including
polyploid ones, which are at the base of cultivated modern roses. From short
reads (paired-end) obtained from different representative Rosa species
involved in cultivated rose breeding, (i) the research of structural variants
(SVs as insertions, deletions, duplications, inversion, translocations …),
and (ii) the study of the evolution of resistance gene families will be
conducted.



Mission of the postdoctoral fellow: The production of raw reads will be done
before the postdoc arrival. The hired postdoc with a strong background in
bioinformatics or genome analysis will make a survey of the best methods to
analyze structural variations in rose genomes. He/she will then be in charge
of the computer bio-analyses to research the structural variants and to study
gene family evolution.



Expected skills: The desired applicant is expected to be a bioinformatician
or a bioanalyst with an expertise in genome assembly and genetics. Expertise
in the detection of genomic rearrangements, identification of homologous
relations within gene family and/or gene family evolution study would be
appreciated. Programming skills for one or several languages are needed.
Social skills are also important for the success of interactions.



Applications should be sent by email to jeremy.clotault@univ-angers.fr,
fabrice.foucher@inra.fr, debener@genetik.uni-hannover.de and include a letter
of motivation, a CV, and names and contact information of three referees. The
dead line for application is January 3rd, 2017.