AGAP institute (AGAPi) is a joint research unit (UMR) dedicated to genetically improving the adaptation of cultivated plants to the constraints of environments in the context of the agro-ecological transition and climate change.

This position is for an ecophysiology researcher with a solid background in plant physiology and developmental biology, as well as basic knowledge of genetics. He/she will work in the “Phenotyping and Modelling of Plants in their Agro-Climatic Environment” (PhenoMEn) team of the AGAPi UMR. His/her role will be to mobilise knowledge of plant ecophysiology and innovative multi-scale phenotyping approaches to identify new adaptive traits involved in the resilience of cereals to stressful environmental conditions and participate in the design of ideotypes tailored to these constraints, within the framework of plant breeding.

The position has been created in the context of a need to increase rice production in systems that are diversified in terms of both the agro-biodiversity used (i.e. including intra- and/or inter-specific diversity) and water management practices (i.e. upland rice, lowland rice, etc.). These two sources of diversity represent key issues in the agro-ecological transition of rice growing in the context of climate change, particularly in Africa.

Expatriate to Senegal or Ivory Coast, he/she will coordinate, in collaboration with  international partners (AFRICARICE) and national partners(NARS: i) experimental activities aimed at understanding genotype X environment X management (GxExM) interactions by phenotyping populations for genetic and/or functional studies of adaptive traits; ii) the analysis of the data collected and the simulation of plant performances  under the effect of GxExM interactions.

They will interact with the ecophysiologists in the PhenoMEn team working on cereals (mainly rice and sorghum) in mainland France in order to mobilise the knowledge (plant physiology and development, source-sink relationships) and phenotyping methods developed, as well as with the AGAPi ecophysiology platform in order to jointly develop complementary trials (Abiophen greenhouse/field). They will also work with mathematical-computing colleagues in the PhenoMEn team, taking advantage of developments in computer tools for signal processing (NIR spectroscopy, image analysis) and crop and/or structure-function models to explore certain hypotheses about relationships between traits. They will play a key role at the interface with rice breeders, both within the AGAPi UMR and with partners. They will participate in the supervision and training of PhD and Master’s students as well as researchers in Africa.

• Master’s degree, engineering diploma or PhD in plant ecophysiology or agronomy (preferred)

• Experience in plant phenotyping (preferred)

• Experience using crop models for plant phenotyping (preferred)

• Basic knowledge of genetics

• Experience working in research and development teams

• A keen interest in experimentation (design and implementation) and fieldwork

• Fluency in French is preferred, with a very good command of written and spoken English

• Ability to write scientific texts in English

• A taste for working in collaboration with other disciplines (genetics, plant breeding, developmental biology, agro-ecology, agronomy) and in a multi-stakeholder context

• Ability to manage technical teams in the field

• Aptitude and taste for working in an intercultural context and in tropical areas

• Strong motivation to work abroad

After an integration period of at least 6 months in Montpellier, France, and depending on the team’s and unit’s project dynamics, you will be outposted with a partner institute in West Africa.

To apply, please include in your CV references from previous managers whom we may contact.

Benefits: You will receive a 13th month’s salary and will have comprehensive social insurance cover. You will be able to work from home.