Evo-Eco-Paléo
Assistant engineer in plant molecular biology
We offer an assistant engineer position in plant molecular biology funded by an ERC Consolidator
Grant « NOVEL : Emergence of novel phenotypes in co-evolving biological systems: allelic
diversification and dominance at the Self-incompatibility locus in Arabidopsis.». The project is taking
place in the team « Evolutionary genomics of plant mating systems » of the lab Evolution, Ecology,
Paleontology (EEP) in Lille (France). The aim of the project is to study the emergence of evolutionary
innovations, either functional or regulatory, in a two-components genetic system controlling selfincompatibility in the flowering plants.
MISSIONS :
Identification of the modalities by which functional novelties emerge in a highly diversified molecular
lock-and-key system (receptor-ligand) and its complex regulatory system (based on a set of
interactions between small non-coding RNAs and their targets).
MAIN ACTIVITIES :
- Maintenance and multiplication of a collection of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana lines.
- Selection of transformants by in vitro culture.
- Molecular biology analysis (PCR, bacterial transformation, electrophoresis…).
- Controlled crosses in Arabidopsis.
- Coloration of pistils and microscope observations.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Our lab (EEP, UMR8198 CNRS-Université de Lille) displays a wide variety of research activities in
evolutionary biology, ecology and et paleontology. Technical aspects are organized into platforms,
including one for molecular biology, one for bioinformatics and one for phenotyping in controlled
environnements. The project will take place in the group « Evolutionary genomics of plant mating
systems», which is a particularly dynamic scientific environnement made of 10 permanent researchers
working on diverse topics including the evolution and genetic bases of sexual polymorphisms, the
evolution of sex chromosoms and the causes and genomic consequences of mating system
transitions.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
The successful candidate should have a strong background in molecular biology and/or biotechnology.
The person hired will interact with students and post-docs in the team as well as with staff from the
different technical platforms. Interpersonal skills are thus required, as well as the ability to speak and
understand English. Experience with plant material is a plus.
CONDITIONS
Funding : ERC (European commission)
Duration : initial 2 years contract, eventually up to 4 years. The call will be open until the position is
filled.
Salary : Commensurate with experience of the candidate, according to salary rules of CNRS for an
assistant engineer.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a CV and cover letter outlining your motivations, as well as the contact information of two
people who can provide references, to Vincent CASTRIC ([email protected]).
More details can be found at http://vincentcastric.weebly.com