Mots-Clés

Comparative genomics Gene family expansion Gene content Gene order Selection

Description

Postdoc (18 months): Comparative and evolutionary genomics of ticks.

Starting date: Autumn 2022-January 2023. Applications are possible until October, 30th, 2022, or until the position is filled.

Context: Ticks are blood-feeding arthropods that represent a significant health concern for humans and domestic animals due to the potential transmission of bacterial pathogens and parasites. Emerging knowledge on tick genomics (Gulia-Nuss et al. 2016, Nat. Comm., Jia et al. 2022, Cell) is beginning to help understand the specifics of tick genomes and the genetic basis for some of the unique history traits of ticks. In this context, our group (INRAE, Nantes, France), through a partnership with the Genoscope (CEA, Evry, France) has sequenced the genomes of four species of the genus Ixodes, including Ixodes ricinus, which is a widespread, wide host range, and potentially problematic species, being the vector of Lyme disease in Europe.

Missions: The post-doc will lead the comparative genomics studies of the four genomes produced by our collaboration with Genoscope (the four annotated genomes are already available), and also publicly available genomes produced by other research groups. Its main mission will be to study the evolutionary dynamics of tick genomes, with a focus on the genus Ixodes: identification of gene expansions/contractions and association with specific functions, patterns of gene order conservation, detection of events of horizontal gene transfers, evaluation of evolutionary rates and atypical patterns (positive selection).

In addition, depending on skills and time, a populational study of genetic variation, at the genome (or exome) level, can be considered.

Location: the position is available for 18 months, at the BIOEPAR lab in Nantes, in the TIBODI group, a team of 4 searchers and 2 technicians working on ticks and tick-borne diseases. Nantes is a vibrant city on the French west coast, known for its quality of life. The post-doctoral searcher will work closely with Claude Rispe (PI), while interactions will be pursued with the Genoscope and with bioinformaticians of BIPAA (a platform that manages arthropod genomes of agronomical importance, in Rennes).

Requirements:

- PhD or previous post-doc in the field of comparative/evolutionary genomics,

- Skills/experience in phylogenetic analyses, evolutionary rates, evolution of gene repertoires,

- Skills in bioinformatics tools and scripting (bash, R, python or perl),

- Excellent abilities in data analyses, writing of scientific papers, communication, teamwork.

Salary: Monthly net salary is between 1905€ and 2346€, depending on experience (duration of research time post-thesis). This includes health care coverage.

Application:  applications must be sent by email to Claude Rispe (claude.rispe@inrae.fr). Please include a CV, explain the motivations of your application and your adequacy with the description of the position. The names and email addresses of at least two referees are required. The documents must be in pdf format, fused in a single file, and can be written in French or English.

You may first send a simple e-mail if you want to ask details on the project, before submitting a full application.