CIRAD is seeking a mycology-specialised microbiologist to join the PVBMT joint research unit, predominantly located at the Plant Protection Centre (3P) in Saint-Pierre de la Réunion. Employing entomopathogenic micro-organisms within biocontrol strategies represents a key component of the agro-ecological transition towards crop pest management. Research on entomopathogens in tropical environments needs to be further developed, particularly in relation to the microbial diversity of these "biodiversity hotspots", which characterization remains incomplete. The main obstacles to the use of microorganisms in biocontrol are linked to the low scarce knowledge of their capacity to be used or enhanced in different agro/ecosystems, the sustainability of their efficacy, as well as their unintended effects on non-target organisms. Consequently, better knowledge of the host specificity of these pathogens and their ecological determinants is fundamental to improving the effectiveness of these biocontrol methods to guarantee ecosystems’ biosecurity.

In this context, by utilizing an ecological approach, you will apply your skills in mycology and your knowledge of interactions between micro-organisms and arthropods (and to a lesser extent between micro-organisms and plants) to monitor the effect of biocontrol agents on communities. You will evaluate new biocontrol agents in tropical communities, working in the field and in the laboratory (e.g. metabarcoding).  

Your research will be carried out within PVBMT, which has a broad network of scientific partners and significant expertise in biological control across numerous agronomic study models. This includes the establishment and evaluation of methods utilizing entomopathogenic fungi, and the characterization of their genetic variability and pathogenicity.

You will be based at 3P in Saint Pierre de La Réunion. You will also be required to travel to Madagascar, Antananarivo, Madagascar, where PVBMT is involved in several projects under a "Biocontrol" partnership program. Initially, you will focus on two biological models that have been the subject of preliminary research carried out in partnership with FOFIFA and the University of Antananarivo: i) on Spodoptera frugiperda, which damages maize, sorghum and millet in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, and ii) on beetle larvae that attack the roots of rice in Madagascar and sugarcane in Réunion Island.

Very attractive remuneration package:

Salary in mainland France: 27-37 K€

While based outisde of mainland France you'll obtrain the benefits of an interesting package including a salary mark-up, accomadation & home leave expenses.

Contact: Laurent Costet and Helene Delatte                         

  Deadline 19/08/2024

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