postdoc position in bioinformatics - plant -pathogen interactions

Our team focuses his research on the epidemiology of bacterial diseases, ecology and phylogeny of bacterial pathogens. More precisely, we aimed at elucidating bacterial determinants responsible for host specificity and seed transmission. The seed borne plantpathogenic bacteria (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli  and X. axonopodis pv. phaseolivar.  fuscans) causing common bacterial blight of bean are our main model for microbial ecology and epidemiological studies. This group of pathogens illustrates the concept of pathological convergence. Indeed, strains responsible for this disease are phylogenetically diverse but share a common host (Phaseolus vulgaris) on which they  induce the same symptoms. Understanding the genetic basis of host specificity is crucial to dissect molecular determinants involved in adaptation to host and disease development, and such knowledge should impact our capacity for prediction of the emergence of new diseases. Host specificity reflects a tight adaptation of bacteria to their host plant, and is the result of successive phases

during the interaction: bacteria should 1) perceive and stay in close contact with their host in order to be able to enter its tissues, 2) multiply  in planta, possibly as a result of their pathogenicity, and 3) disperse and colonize new host plants. To further dissect bacterial adaptation to their hosts, we propose to study by comparative genomics genomes of several bacterial models exemplifying pathological convergence and focus on mechanisms involved in early steps of bacterial hosts interactions: attraction and adhesion.

We are looking for a PhD candidate with extended skills in bioinformatics, microbiology and molecular biology. Experience in transcriptomics would be appreciated. The candidate should also have excellent communication skills in English and good capacities to work with other people. The candidate will work in a collaborative project with three French teams working on xanthomonads and one in bioinformatics. The position is open for two years. The selected candidate will be invited to start his work before the end of this year.
 

The position is open at UMR 077 PaVé, centre INRA, Angers, France. For more details on the position please contact Marie-Agnès Jacques by tel: (33)2.41.22.57.07 or e-mail: Marie-Agnes.Jacques@angers.inra.fr. Applicants are invited to send a detailed CV, a covering letter and 2 references to Marie-Agnès Jacques. Net salary around 2000 € / month including health insurance, retirement contribution and other social security contributions, but not income tax.