Postdoctoral position in INRA of Avignon, France



Structural and functional plant modelling





Plant breeding appears to be a major component in the way to solve the new challenges that agriculture in Mediterranean areas is facing. New techniques allowing to access specific traits of cultivars have to be developed based on non destructive and rapid measurements such as offered by close range remote sensing known as 'proxidetection'.

The objective of this post doctorate proposal is to combine a 4D plant model with a functioning model as a support to improve field high throughput phenotyping with remote sensors. This is a critical need to enhance interpretation of large amount of genotypic data made available by sequencing methods in constant improvement.

This work will be based on two existing models, the SIRIUS crop functioning model (Jamieson et al., 1998, Lawless et al. 2005) and the ADEL-Wheat architectural model (Fournier et al, 2003, Evers et al 2005). Implementation will use the modelling platform OpenAlea (Pradal et al 2008), dedicated to functional structural modelling of plants (http://openalea.gforge.inria.fr/dokuwiki/doku.php). The coupled model will then be used to simulate reflectance and gap fraction with a radiative transfer model (Baret et al., 2007).



We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with skills in data analysis and crop modelling. A PhD in one or several of the following fields is expected: agronomy, biostatistics, bioinformatics. A good knowledge of programming (Matlab if possible) and a good ability to communicate in English are required.



The position is available immediately for 21 months. Annual net salary will be around 21,600 euros. The fellow will be hosted in INRA of Avignon, with some stays in other research centres in France.



To be eligible, the candidate should:

- not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to May 2009.

- have obtained his/her PhD for no more than 3 years upon the date of application.



To apply, please send to Benoît de Solan (email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>): a letter describing your research motivation and experience, a CV including publication list, full contact details of two scientific referees.