post-doc position on fruit modeling at INRA Avignon, France
15 views
Skip to first unread message
valentina baldazzi
Feb 1, 2018, 8:00:22 AM2/1/18
to DS...@listserv.uga.edu
Modeling fruit
quality build-up according to fruit growth,
storage conditions and post-storage processing
Key words : plant physiology, apple, modeling, optimisation, post-harvest, fruit quality, fruit processing
The proposal is part of a research project (Interfaces) which deals with the interface between raw material production and processing. The post-doctorate will have to improve the understanding of fruit quality build-up from the raw material to the processed product (i.e., from the pre-harvest stage in the field to fruit storage and processing stages).
He/she will focus on two specific points: macronutrients (sugars and acids) and structural material (as relevant for texture), and consider their control by climatic conditions and agronomical and processing factors. The impact of practices, maturity and storage (temperature and/or duration effect), and process, on the availability of carbon and water and on the mechanical and chemical properties of cells and cell wall, will be looked upon.
The approach will be based on modelling. The post-doctorate will first contribute to deliver an agro-ecophysiological model of fresh apple fruit based on an existing virtual fruit model (Fishman and Génard, 1998; Génard et al., 2010). The model will predict growth and the accumulation of macronutrients and structural material.
The post-doctorate will parameterize and test the model during the pre-harvest phase. With such a model it will become possible to simulate the allocation of assimilates and water to the fruit and to predict the effect of environment and management on fruit quality at harvest. The model will also be adapted and tested for its ability to predict the evolution of apple fruit quality during the post-harvest storage period. A focus will be on the impact of storage conditions (mostly storage duration) on the evolution of maturity and quality traits after harvest and prior to processing. The post-harvest model for fruit storage will focus on changes in water balance, turgor pressure, cell adhesion, starch degradation and acids metabolism.
This agro-ecophysiological model of fresh apple fruit will be then connected to a product processing model relying the characteristics of processed apples to those of fresh apple. This product processing model will be done by another team involved in the interface project.
Finaly, the modeling framework will be used to find in silico the orchard management practices and the fruit storage - ripening conditions that optimise quality criteria of interest for processed apple fruits.
The postdoctoral scientist will benefit from a strong scientific background of the host institution in plant sciences, in particular crop ecophysiology. He/ she will have access to a computing cluster for intensive calculation used for modelling.
He/she will have access to continuing training, scientific and technical information, editorial online resources, as well as all scientific computing tools of INRA. He/she will benefit from the social policies of the Institute in the enjoyable campus of Avignon. Scientists at Avignon campus have access to a broader science environment, conducive to cross disciplinary research.
Required Skills
We are looking for a self-motivated individual with strong communication and organization skills, who will have completed a Ph.D. thesis in Plant Sciences, Information Sciences, Agronomy or Horticulture, with an experience in modeling and a publication record. Knowledge of programming languages (Java, Python, C+
+,…) and experience in statistical tools (R) will be an asset. Ability
+to
communicate in English both orally and in writing is essential.
Location
Growth, Architecture and Quality (CRAQ)) team, Research Unit 1115 « Horticultural Plants and culture Systems », INRA, Domaine Saint Paul, Site Agroparc, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
Remuneration
Between 2200€ and 2900€ gross, depending on prior experience.
Duration
12 months (initially 6 months, extension of contract after revision of goals).
The position will start in mid-2018. Open until filled.
Contact
For further information regarding this position, please contact:
Dr. Michel Génard: michel...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 24 58 or Dr. Gilles Vercambre: gilles.v...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 24 76 or Dr. Catherine Coutand: catherin...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 21 49 or Dr. Alexandre Leca: alexand...@inra.fr , (+33) – (0) 432 72 25 43
Your application should include a cover letter, with a brief description of your research interests, a detailed CV (including a list of publications) and the names and addresses of at least two references. The deadline to send your application is April 15th, 2018.
References
Fishman S., Génard M. 1998. Model of fruit growth based on biophysical description of main contributing processes. Simulation of seasonal and diurnal dynamics of weight. Plant, Cell and Environment, 21, 739-752.
Génard M., Bertin N., Gautier H., Lescourret F., Quilot B. 2010. Virtual
profiling: a new way to analyse phenotypes. The plant Journal, 62, 344–355.
Key words : plant physiology, apple, modeling, optimisation, post-harvest, fruit quality, fruit processing
The proposal is part of a research project (Interfaces) which deals with the interface between raw material production and processing. The post-doctorate will have to improve the understanding of fruit quality build-up from the raw material to the processed product (i.e., from the pre-harvest stage in the field to fruit storage and processing stages).
He/she will focus on two specific points: macronutrients (sugars and acids) and structural material (as relevant for texture), and consider their control by climatic conditions and agronomical and processing factors. The impact of practices, maturity and storage (temperature and/or duration effect), and process, on the availability of carbon and water and on the mechanical and chemical properties of cells and cell wall, will be looked upon.
The approach will be based on modelling. The post-doctorate will first contribute to deliver an agro-ecophysiological model of fresh apple fruit based on an existing virtual fruit model (Fishman and Génard, 1998; Génard et al., 2010). The model will predict growth and the accumulation of macronutrients and structural material.
The post-doctorate will parameterize and test the model during the pre-harvest phase. With such a model it will become possible to simulate the allocation of assimilates and water to the fruit and to predict the effect of environment and management on fruit quality at harvest. The model will also be adapted and tested for its ability to predict the evolution of apple fruit quality during the post-harvest storage period. A focus will be on the impact of storage conditions (mostly storage duration) on the evolution of maturity and quality traits after harvest and prior to processing. The post-harvest model for fruit storage will focus on changes in water balance, turgor pressure, cell adhesion, starch degradation and acids metabolism.
This agro-ecophysiological model of fresh apple fruit will be then connected to a product processing model relying the characteristics of processed apples to those of fresh apple. This product processing model will be done by another team involved in the interface project.
Finaly, the modeling framework will be used to find in silico the orchard management practices and the fruit storage - ripening conditions that optimise quality criteria of interest for processed apple fruits.
The postdoctoral scientist will benefit from a strong scientific background of the host institution in plant sciences, in particular crop ecophysiology. He/ she will have access to a computing cluster for intensive calculation used for modelling.
He/she will have access to continuing training, scientific and technical information, editorial online resources, as well as all scientific computing tools of INRA. He/she will benefit from the social policies of the Institute in the enjoyable campus of Avignon. Scientists at Avignon campus have access to a broader science environment, conducive to cross disciplinary research.
Required Skills
We are looking for a self-motivated individual with strong communication and organization skills, who will have completed a Ph.D. thesis in Plant Sciences, Information Sciences, Agronomy or Horticulture, with an experience in modeling and a publication record. Knowledge of programming languages (Java, Python, C+
+,…) and experience in statistical tools (R) will be an asset. Ability
+to
communicate in English both orally and in writing is essential.
Location
Growth, Architecture and Quality (CRAQ)) team, Research Unit 1115 « Horticultural Plants and culture Systems », INRA, Domaine Saint Paul, Site Agroparc, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon Cedex 9, France
Remuneration
Between 2200€ and 2900€ gross, depending on prior experience.
Duration
12 months (initially 6 months, extension of contract after revision of goals).
The position will start in mid-2018. Open until filled.
Contact
For further information regarding this position, please contact:
Dr. Michel Génard: michel...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 24 58 or Dr. Gilles Vercambre: gilles.v...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 24 76 or Dr. Catherine Coutand: catherin...@inra.fr, (+33) – (0) 432 72 21 49 or Dr. Alexandre Leca: alexand...@inra.fr , (+33) – (0) 432 72 25 43
Your application should include a cover letter, with a brief description of your research interests, a detailed CV (including a list of publications) and the names and addresses of at least two references. The deadline to send your application is April 15th, 2018.
References
Fishman S., Génard M. 1998. Model of fruit growth based on biophysical description of main contributing processes. Simulation of seasonal and diurnal dynamics of weight. Plant, Cell and Environment, 21, 739-752.
Génard M., Bertin N., Gautier H., Lescourret F., Quilot B. 2010. Virtual
profiling: a new way to analyse phenotypes. The plant Journal, 62, 344–355.
-- Valentina Baldazzi INRA, UMR ISA, Sophia-Antipolis, France Unité Plantes et Systèmes de culture Horticoles, Avignon, France. Tel: +33 (0)4 92 38 64 22 also with: Biocore, INRIA Sophia Antipolis Tel. +33 (0)4 97 15 53 15
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages