Post-doctoral researcher on plant plastic responses to competition for access to mates through sex-ratio and pollinator sounds perception (M/F)

26 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier

Research Field

Biological sciences
Environmental science

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

15 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

H2020 / ERC

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

This position is part of the ERC SEXIPLANTS project which proposes to test the theory of sexual selection in plants. Sexual selection theory is based on the observation that males produce smaller and more numerous gametes than the female sex, which should result in increased selection pressure on male individuals to access sexual partners and their eggs. This dimorphism in the size and number of gametes produced between sexes, classically called anisogamy, is widespread in plants. The SEXIPLANTS project therefore proposes to test the classic predictions of the theory of sexual selection, while taking into account plant specificities. In this context, the recruited person will have the mission of setting up experiments and/or analyzing data concerning three topics of research program:
(1) determine whether plants of the species Brassica rapa change their floral bouquet when subjected to pollinator sounds and whether this plastic response is modulated by the abundance of the pollinator sound;
(2) quantify the variation in the intensity of sexual selection with variation in sex ratios in the dioecious species Silene latifolia;
(3) determine whether plants of the dioecious species S. latifolia exhibit a plastic response to a variation in the intensity of sexual selection elicited by sex ratio variation.

The recruited person will be in charge of collecting data, analyzing them and writing manuscripts presenting the associated results: (1) collection and analysis of a dataset of odors produced by B. rapa plants subjected to pollinator sounds, more or less abundant, or to silence; (2) setting up an experiment varying the sex ratios in S. latifolia, measuring phenotypic traits of male and female plants, collecting plant tissues and genetic analyzes of parents and descendants in order to carry out a paternity analysis; (3) analysis of the plastic response of plant traits measured as part of the experiment varying sex ratios.
The recruited person will also be in charge, jointly with Jeanne Tonnabel, of supervising the activities of the technicians and students who will participate in these projects.

The post-doctoral researcher will work within the framework of the ERC SEXIPLANTS project led by Jeanne Tonnabel, member of the Evolution and Demography team within the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM) UMR 5554 CNRS-UM-IRD - EPHE (http://www.isem.univ-montp2.fr/ ). The host unit is located on the campus of the University of Montpellier and the project experiments will be located on the CEFE Experimental Grounds platform (Center for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology) located on the CNRS campus and on the town of Baillarguet. The SEXIPLANTS project involves regular meetings with other people collaborating on the project within ISEM and CEFE in which the candidate must participate.

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Biological sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Environmental science

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

- Hold a doctorate in evolutionary biology
- Be experienced in setting up plant experiments, data analysis and statistics
- Have theoretical knowledge of sexual selection and the evolution of plant reproduction
- Capacity for analysis, organization, rigor, autonomy and communication
- Relational and teamwork skills

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR5554-JEATON-004/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier

Country

France

City

MONTPELLIER

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR5554-JEATON-004/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

MONTPELLIER

Website

http://www.isem.univ-montp2.fr

STATUS: EXPIRED