Missions

The researcher will coordinate field sampling in Brittany and develop population genetics approaches and eco-physiological analyses.

Climate change is a major factor in the erosion of biodiversity. Climate stress can interrupt gene flow between populations, leading to the formation of isolated populations. Identifying the capacity of threatened species to adapt and resilience to climate stress is an essential step in prioritising conservation actions. This is particularly important for 'endangered' species such as the adder in Brittany. The aims of the project will therefore be (1) to obtain data on the genetic diversity and level of genetic erosion of Vipera berus populations in Brittany and (2) to study the physiological impact of climate change. By integrating genetic and eco-physiological (Omics) studies, the project will provide essential new knowledge on the resilience and adaptation of the adder in Brittany. This postdoc project will be directly connected to the ANR DIVCLIM project (2024-2028) and the work will be carried out in close collaboration with the DIVCLIM partners.

The person recruited will be responsible for coordinating field sampling in Brittany, with the help of local partners and partners approved by the ANR DIVCLIM. The person will then have to conduct and develop genome sequencing approaches and Omics analyses with the support of local platforms (EcoGeno and Ecochim). The person recruited will be responsible for implementing the various stages of the genomics and transcriptomics component, from DNA/RNA extraction to bioinformatics processing of the sequences and statistical analysis of the data. Finally, the person recruited will be responsible for analysing the metabolomic data in order to identify the impact of climatic stress (heat) on viper physiology.

Activités

- Coordinate field sampling
- Conduct and develop genome sequencing approaches
- Carry out Omics analyses
- Metabolomics
- Transcriptomics: from RNA extraction to bioinformatics processing
- Population genetics by sequencing
- Molecular data management
- Statistical analysis of data
- Data exploitation (conferences, publications)

Compétences

- The candidate must hold a PhD in ecology/evolution.
- Essential expertise in bioinformatics processing of genomic data
- Very good skills in high-throughput molecular biology (nucleotide extraction, PCR, electrophoresis) and sequence analysis
- Very good knowledge of statistical analysis in ecology and population genetics
- Good knowledge of vertebrate biology, physiology and ecology, including Omics
- Knowledge of herpetology would be an asset
- Ability to carry out field sampling
- Knowledge of Breton naturalist networks would be an asset
- Very good data processing skills (including in English), with a view to publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Ability to work as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary and multi-skilled environment
- Autonomy, thoroughness and the ability to make proposals

Contexte de travail

The person recruited will be affiliated with UMR CNRS 6553 ECOBIO (https://ecobio.univ-rennes.fr/en/). The ECOBIO research unit covers all areas of ecology: evolutionary ecology, behavioural ecology, community ecology, functional ecology and landscape ecology. The person recruited will benefit from the support of the PEM and EcoGeno (for molecular analyses) and Ecochim (for metabolomic analyses) technical platforms.

Contraintes et risques

The funding is intended for a post-doctoral student who has had several months' post-doctoral experience outside France between 1 May 2021 and the start of the project.