Junior research scientist in molecular and cellular biology relating to the transmission of grapevine viruses by nematodes
27 Jan 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE)- Department
1131 SVQV- Research Field
Chemistry » Biochemistry- Researcher Profile
Recognised Researcher (R2)- Application Deadline
5 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)- Country
France- Type of Contract
Permanent- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
35- Offer Starting Date
1 Sep 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
You will conduct your research in the Vine Health and Wine Quality unit (joint research unit SVQV), within the Virology and Vector team, which studies tripartite interactions between viruses, plants, and vectors. The team focuses particularly on plant defence responses, biocontrol strategies using pre-emptive measures and service plants, and viral transmission mechanisms. You will join a dynamic scientific and technical environment comprising 3 research directors, 2 research scientists, one lecturer, 5 engineers, and 4 technicians. The unit hosts unique biological resources and modern facilities (collections of viruses and vectors, containment laboratories and greenhouses, imaging and metabolomics platforms) suitable for the study of vine-pathogen interactions.
You will work within a strong collaborative network, notably the French Institute of Vines and Wine (IFV) in the framework of an INRAE/IFV Associated Partnership Laboratory specialising in grapevine viral metagenomics, as well as with national (CNRS Institute of Plant Molecular Biology, Strasbourg, INRAE Sophia Antipolis, INRAE Bordeaux) and international partners (Cornell University, USA; Agroscope Changins, Switzerland). Your project will focus on the transmission of the grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) by its nematode vector Xiphinema index. This unique model, owing to its exclusive transmission by a single nematode species, offers an exceptional opportunity to investigate three-way plant-vector-virus molecular and cellular interactions. Upon contact with roots, the nematode injects the virus via its stylet during feeding, through a mechanism that remains unidentified. In this context, you will study the early events of GFLV transmission in grapevine roots. You will address questions such as: How does GFLV initiate a viral cycle in cells that have been emptied of their content ? Which cells are infected first ? What molecular and cellular modifications promote viral spread ? How is the cell-to-cell and systemics movement of the virus established when inoculation is mediated by nematodes? In which infectious form is the virus transmitted by the nematode during feeding?
You will propose and develop an original research project combining virology, molecular and cellular biology, advanced imaging, transcriptomics, and even metabolomics approaches. This project will require the development of innovative in vitro experimental systems to monitor feeding of nematodes of the genus Xiphinema on roots (model hosts and grapevines), as well as the implementation of advanced analytical methods (single-cell RNA sequencing, correlative light-electron microscopy (CLEM), for example). Your scientific expertise will contribute to the collective projects of the team and the unit aimed at developing innovative strategies for grapevine protection against GFLV and its transmission by nematodes (cross protection, recessive and dominant genetic resistance, “nematicidal” fallow land, etc). You will collaborate with the partner teams working on plant-nematode interactions, in particular the Institute Sophia Agrobiotech in Sophia Antipolis, within the framework of the study of the sensory capacities of X. index, and exploring topics of chemotaxis and viral manipulation.
Where to apply
- Website
- https://jobs.inrae.fr/en/open-competitions/open-competions-research-scientists-…
Requirements
- Research Field
- Chemistry
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Additional Information
- Website for additional job details
https://jobs.inrae.fr/en/open-competitions/open-competions-research-scientists-…
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE)
- Country
- France
- City
- COLMAR
- Postal Code
- 68000
- Geofield
Contact
- City
COLMAR- Website
https://jobs.inrae.fr/en/open-competitions/open-competions-research-scientists-crcn- Postal Code
68000
olivier.lemaire@inrae.fr
STATUS: EXPIRED
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