Zoonoses and Migration: Epidemiological Studies of This Factor of Natural Spread M/F

Job Description

Summary of the scientific project

The need to inform society about the emergence of zoonotic diseases carried by birds requires increasing our ability to model the co-evolution of avian migrations and infectious risks. Our ability to anticipate these co-evolutions remains limited because epidemiological models poorly integrate the spatio-temporal dynamics of hosts. It is therefore necessary to refine our understanding of migrations by developing models that integrate data from complementary methodologies (counts, multi-decade individual tracking via capture-recapture, fine-scale telemetry of movements, genetic architecture). These integrated models will provide a detailed and robust vision of the evolution of migrations (routes, destinations, determinants, and plasticity) and improve zoonotic epidemiological risk models by incorporating advanced host dynamics.

Summary of the teaching project

Teaching will be integrated into the master's programs in ecophysiology, ecology, or environmental health at the associated universities or the MNHN. The selected candidate will provide 48 hours of teaching per year, covering:
The mechanisms of physiological adaptation to environmental stresses.
Innovative methods in ecophysiology (omics, biologging, modeling).
Public health and conservation issues.
Lectures may also be proposed in training programs for health professionals or public decision-makers.

Your Profil

Profile Required

Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Your Work Environment

Host Lab Strategy

The PIMIT and CESCO units develop integrated research on migratory movements at different scales, in behavioral biology and infectious risks, combining spatial ecology, ecophysiology, evolutionary ecology, and host-pathogen co-evolution. The CRBPO (Centre de Recherche sur la Biologie des Oiseaux), a citizen science platform managed by CESCO, has been in high demand since 2022 for its expertise on bird movements. However, it lacks the necessary skills to develop research in eco-epidemiology and the joint evolution of migrations and infectious risks.
PIMIT is recognized for its expertise in emerging diseases in the Indian Ocean region and works on host-pathogen co-evolution mechanisms and response strategies. Due to its location between the Middle East, Africa, and sub-Antarctic lands, PIMIT is a privileged site for studying bird migratory movements, which have proven to be of capital importance in the recent avian flu pandemic.

Institution Strategy

The need to inform society about the emergence of zoonotic diseases carried by birds requires increasing our capacity to model the co-evolution of avian migrations and infectious risks. The CESCO (UMR 7204) and PIMIT (UMR 9192) are leading laboratories in behavioral ecology and eco-epidemiology, specializing in the study of emerging infectious risks. They are equipped with platforms dedicated to omics approaches, biologging, spatial genetics, and more. Through this CPJ, research institutions aim to strengthen collaborations between avian ecologists, immunity physiologists, and modelers, in connection with national and international programs on infectious risks.
The strategy is either (i) to strengthen CESCO on an emerging ecological theme of societal interest by enhancing its research potential in modeling the co-evolution of avian migrations and associated infectious risks. It also aims to increase citizen involvement in epidemic surveillance through the CRBPO (Centre de Recherche sur la Biologie des Oiseaux), a citizen science platform managed by CESCO; or (ii) to strengthen PIMIT in approaches concerning avian viral infections by recruiting a specialist in behavioral ecology and analysis of migratory movements, to better explore the scientific frontiers between spatial mobility, viral evolution, and the emergence of infectious risks.

International Strategy

The selected candidate will develop innovative approaches that combine the use of epidemiological data on populations/individuals of different bird species with spatial ecology data as part of an integrated eco-epidemiology program focusing on avian infectious risks and their spatial and temporal dynamics. They will implement international partnerships and may rely on networks, including citizen science or local conservation. The project may integrate aspects of molecular biology (e.g., viral genomic evolution), human, animal (e.g., poultry), and environmental health to achieve an integrated One Health vision. They will be expected to submit a European project (ERC, Horizon Europe) during the 5-year contract. They will benefit from the CNRS and partner networks to organize symposia, summer schools, and collaborations with conservation stakeholders.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Annual salary from 54 600 Euros to 57 800 Euros depending on professionnal experience.

Total funding

200k€

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

Research Policy

Open Science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

Science and society

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions