18-month POSTDOCTORAL POSITION
Modelling the demo-genetics of emergent fungal plant pathogen species. A postdoctoral position is available to work with Virginie Ravigné, Jean Carlier (UMR BGPI - CIRAD, Montpellier, France) and Marie-Laure Loustau (INRA Bordeaux, France) in the context of a project funded by the ANR (French national research agency) Biodiversity programme (Project EMERFUNDIS - Understanding the emergence of fungal
plant diseases: a step towards the assessment of global change risks).
Its overall aim is to identify the factors that contribute to the emergence of fungal plant diseases in crop and natural systems and to categorize known pathogens and agro-ecosystems according to their risk of disease emergence under the effects of human-induced global changes such as global warming, increase in pathogen introductions and agro-ecosystem management. So far, plant theoretical epidemiology has much improved our understanding of spatio-temporal population dynamics processes of disease spread, with much effort in linking theory and empirical data.
Theoretical tools for understanding the factors that drive plant disease emergence are far less developed. It is now obvious that the adaptive potential of pathogens is a major determinant in disease outbreaks and is influenced by factors such as
propagule introduction rate, inoculum size, and population genetics. The post-doctoral researcher will thus develop a simulation tool to model the population dynamics and genetics of fungal pathogens clearly integrating into the simplest framework, key-characteristics of diseases (e.g., mating system) and ecosystem properties (e.g., hosts distribution and variability) . He/She will then conduct a sensitivity analysis to look for matches between putative successful pathogen strategies and candidate vulnerable agro-ecosystems. He/She will also be able to participate in the building and analysis of a large database gathering relevant information about all pathogens known to cause emergent fungal plant diseases.
The theoretical approach developed by the postdoc is central to the ANR Biodiversity Project EMERFUNDIS that gathers 8 French teams working in the field of phytopathology. The post-doc will thus be part of a dynamic network of researchers with numerous opportunities to establish collaborations.
Requirements for the position include (1) a proven record of research; (2) a PhD in biology, mathematics, statistics, or related area; (3) excellent skills in scientific programming (C/C++, or Delphi).
The ideal candidate should be well acquainted with demo-genetics simulations. Applications are welcome from candidates in any country. Screening of applicants will begin March 6, 2008. Starting date: April, 2008. Highly motivated applicants are encouraged to email a statement of research interests, CV, and contact details for three references to Jean Carlier (Jean.Carlier@ cirad.fr). Virginie Ravigné Chercheuse CIRAD Département BIOS UMR Biologie et Génétique des Interactions Plantes-
Parasites TA A 54 / K - Campus International de Baillarguet - Bureau 114 34398 Montpellier Cedex 5 France Tel : + 33 4 99 62 48 10 Fax : + 33 4 99 62 48 48 Mail : Virginie.Ravigne@ cirad.fr Virginie Ravigné
[sursa moldova_doc]
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