Job offer

Organisation/Company Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) Department DIADE Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 16 Apr 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Aug 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

DIADE is a research laboratory specializing in biodiversity, adaptation, and development of tropical plants. It is located at the main center of the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) in the beautiful city of Montpellier, in the south of France (Occitanie region), near the Mediterranean Sea. It is a joint unit between IRD, CIRAD, and the University of Montpellier, with seven teams*.

You will join the REPROD team , which, alongside other scientific questions related to plant reproduction, studies the genetic and molecular basis of interspecific hybrid sterility in rice (Oryza spp.) and seeks solutions to overcome the reproductive barrier through conventional and genome editing approaches. The work will be carried in close collaboration with the CERES team .

This research forms part of a broader effort to understand reproductive barriers and their impact on genetic diversity, speciation, and crop improvement for sustainable agriculture. The project is well funded and supported by the DIVEDIT flagship project (Promoting AgrobioDIVersity through genome EDITing, ) in the frame of the Advanced Plant Breeding National programme (PEPR) .

A word from the manager: “If you feel attracted by plant reproduction, cutting-edge science, genetics, and a pleasant and welcoming working and living environment, you should apply to this job offer! ”

• An attractive mission

Under the responsibility of Dr. Mathias Lorieux, research director at IRD, with the support of several researchers involved in the DIVEDIT project, your mission will be to investigate the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms underlying hybrid sterility between African (O.glaberrima) and Asian rice (O. sativa) cultivated species, and to develop genome editing-based approaches to obtain fertile interspecific hybrids.

The project integrates multiple complementary approaches: molecular genetics and genomics; functional genomics, including genome editing; phenotypic and cytological characterization of sterility-related traits. The ultimate goal is to take on activities to decipher whether altering key sterility-related loci, allowing to better understand and overcome the mechanisms of reproductive isolation between the two rice species.

Your activities will be as follows:

• Design and conduct genetic crosses and molecular marker experiments.
• Analyze genomic datasets using bioinformatics tools.
• Conceive genome-editing approaches to hamper the gamete killer effect of sterility genes.
• Perform gametophyte cell imaging using optical microscopy tools.
• Prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and present findings in scientific meetings.
• Your future team

You will join the REPROD team , composed of eleven members. The team gathers extensive skills in genetics, genomics, functional genomics and microscopy. You will work in close collaboration with the CERES team that has expertise in genome editing in rice, and phenotyping.

Both teams work within a collaborative network of national and international partners, providing:

• A stimulating research environment at IRD Montpellier, within a collaborative network of national and international partners.
  • Access to state-of-the-art genomics, microscopy and phenotyping platforms.

You have developed the following skills:

• Expertise in plant genetics and/or genomics.
• Curiosity for plant reproduction development and related observation tools.
• Training in molecular techniques (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9, RNA-seq, qPCR) and statistical genetics.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

You know how to :

• Conceive and analyze genetic experiments involving Mendelian segregation analysis.
• Prepare and observe samples for microscopy

Specific Requirements

You have a PhD (level 8) in genetics, molecular plant sciences, plant biotechnology, or a related field, with a maximum of 2 years of working experience after PhD.