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.