Missions

As part of the ERC ORION project, we are looking for an engineer (IE) with experience in molecular biology, entomology, museology and databases. The main objective of the project is to link microevolution and macroevolution by testing whether processes at the population level (isolation, ecological and phenotypic differentiation, persistence) determine speciation rates and the evolution of niches and phenotypes at the species level. The candidate will be responsible for breeding Papilio machaon to estimate genomic mutation rates, developing an innovative approach to large-scale targeted capture of nuclear coding genes, integrating distribution data from multiple sources, and participating in international missions (museums and fieldwork) to complete taxonomic and geographical coverage.

Activities

Under the responsibility of the project coordinator, the research engineer will be responsible for:
• Developing and implementing large-scale molecular biology protocols:
o Developing, testing and standardising a high-throughput DNA extraction protocol for mass sampling (9,000–10,000 individuals, 640 species of Papilionidae).
o Developing and applying a targeted capture strategy for nuclear coding genes (testing, optimisation, validation).
o Prepare and check genomic libraries before sequencing.
• Experimental breeding of Papilio machaon:
o Install and manage breeding cages, collect individuals in the wild, and monitor their complete development to adulthood.
o Perform DNA sampling and extraction to estimate mutation rates.
• Collection and processing of distribution data and specimens:
o Integrate distribution data from different sources: citizen platforms (e.g. iNaturalist), the coordinator's personal collection, museum collections.
o Harmonise, check and georeference the data.
o Document specimens (metadata, phenotypes, morphological measurements, photographs).
o Contribute to the collection of samples in museums and in the field:
 Missions to major international museums and private collections.
 Targeted field collections to complete missing reference genomes.
• Database management and structuring:
o Design and administer an integrated database combining genetic, phenotypic, ecological and biogeographical data.
• Technical supervision and promotion:
o Train staff (research technicians) in the protocols developed.
o Draft technical procedures and methodological reports.
o Contribute to the promotion of data sets (publications, repositories, portals).

Skills

• Knowledge of evolutionary biology, entomology and systematics (major asset).
• Proficiency in high-throughput molecular biology techniques (DNA extraction, libraries, gene capture, sequencing).
• Proven experience in developing and optimising large-scale experimental protocols.
• Skills in managing and integrating biodiversity data (museum collections, collaborative platforms).
• Experience in insect breeding and handling entomological specimens.
• Experience in museum and field work (naturalist collections, documentation, batch management).
• Proficiency in database management tools.
• Ability to formalise reproducible technical procedures.
• Scientific rigour, autonomy and organisational skills.
• Strong motivation for an ambitious multidisciplinary project.
• Team spirit, international collaboration and adaptability.
• Good command of scientific English (written and spoken).

Work Context

The ERC ORION project is led by Fabien Condamine (https://fabiencondamine.org/) from the Phylogeny and Molecular Evolution team at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences in Montpellier (ISEM) UMR 5554 CNRS-UM-IRD-EPHE (http://www.isem.univ-montp2.fr/), located at the University of Montpellier. This integrative project is the subject of regular meetings with other people involved in the laboratory, in which the candidate will be required to participate.

Constraints and risks

- Routine work
- Handling chemicals
- Prolonged computer work