Dear
colleagues:
Please
distribute this information to potential students.
[Wheat adaptation] post-doctoral
position
at UMR EGC Grignon, FRANCE
The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
(INRA) is seeking an innovative, self-motivate, scientifically
oustanding candidate for a post-doctoral position to investigate
mechanisms involved in nitrogen deficiency tolerance of bread wheat
using a simplified model of C/N relations and root architecture.
This work will provide knowledge and new QTL to aid in the development
of wheat varieties adapted to low input production systems, which are
favoured in Europe due to low market prices and increasing
environmental concerns. The position will be based at UMR EGC
INRA/INA-PG, laboratory specialised in C and N interactions at
plant and crop level, at Grignon, located 40 km West of
Paris. The appointee
will spend short periods in INRA Genetics and Breeding units in Rennes
and Clermont-Ferrand.
Description: A population of di-haploid (DH) lines was produced from the
cross between 'Arche' and 'Récital', two varieties contrasted for
their tolerance in N deficiency. QTL for N stress reaction were
detected in the field. A sample of the DH lines was also grown at low
N level under controlled conditions. To find pertinent parameters to
explain N response, a simplified conceptual plant model was used to
analyse N absorption in relation to C assimilation. It appeared that
the most variable model parameter was N uptake rate computed as the
ratio between total plant N and cumulated root length. A QTL detection
was carried out on state variables and on model parameters to identify
interesting chromosomic regions. We were however not able to take into
account the relation between root biomass and architecture that is
known to be a major mechanism of adaptation to mineral deficiency.
We propose to further investigate wheat N deficiency tolerance under
controlled conditions. The appointee will adapt an Arabidopsis model
on wheat to take into account the response of root architecture to the
C and N environment of the plant. He/she will then test a population
of DH lines in controlled conditions to perform a QTL detection on
parameters of the model. He/she will validate the QTL and the model by
predicting and testing the behaviour of allelic compositions.
Qualifications and experience:
Required: Ph. D. in plant or
crop physiology Training in modelling, and in biometric analyses.
Demonstrated ability to publish papers in refereed international
journals.
Preferred:
Experience with QTL analysis will be appreciated.
Terms:
appointment for 12 months.
Starting date: between 1st Jan and 1st April 2007.
Salary:
around 2100 ¤/month
Literature:
Laperche A, M Brancourt-Hulmel, E
Heumez, O Gardet, J Le Gouis (2006) Estimation of genetic parameters
of a DH wheat population grown at different N stress levels
characterized with probe genotypes. Theor. Appl. Genet.
112:797-807.
Laperche A, M Brancourt-Hulmel, E Heumez, E Hanocq, F Devienne-Barret,
J Le Gouis (2007) Using genotype x nitrogen interaction variables to
evaluate the QTL involved in wheat tolerance to nitrogen constraints.
Theor. Appl. Genet. (accepted)
Laperche A, F Devienne-Barret, O Maury, J Le Gouis, B Ney (2006) A
simple conceptual framework of carbon and nitrogen relationship for
QTL analysis of winter wheat adaptation to nitrogen deficiency. Theor.
Appl. Genet. 113:131-1146
Le Gouis J, D Beghin, E Heumez, P Pluchard. (2000) Genetic differences
for nitrogen uptake and nitrogen utilisation efficiencies in winter
wheat. Eur. J. Agron. 12:163-173
To apply:
Send (e-mail is acceptable): 1) a
letter of application discussing how the stated qualifications are
met; 2) a detailed curriculum vitae; 3) a list of publications and 4)
names and addresses (including phone and e-mail) of three current
references, to:
Anne Laperche
Science du Végétal
Agrocampus Rennes
65, rue de Saint-brieuc - CS 84215
35042 Rennes cedex
--
Bertrand NEY
n...@agroparistech.fr
Professeur à
AGROPARISTECH
UMR INRA AgroParisTech
Environnement et Grandes cultures
UMR EGC, 78850 Thiverval Grignon, France