Assistant Engineer in Genetic Transformation and Genome Editing of Rice

The IRD is a multidisciplinary French public research organization that has been engaged in equitable partnerships with countries in the Global South and French overseas territories for nearly 80 years.

As a key player in the international development agenda, its priorities are aligned with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Together, the Institute’s scientists and partners propose concrete solutions to the global challenges facing societies and the planet. This win-win relationship makes science and innovation major levers for development.

The Institute is under the dual supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The IRD in 230 seconds

The DIADE research unit (DIversité, Adaptation et DEveloppement des plantes tropicales; IRD-Univ. Montpellier-CIRAD) studies plant biodiversity, plant adaptation mechanisms and their interactions with the environment, and explores plant development mechanisms to develop new phenotypes that are necessary in the context of climate change. To this end, the unit’s teams are developing a range of approaches, tools, and methods: genome analysis, biochemistry, physiology, microscopy, modeling, and data integration.

An attractive assignment

Under the supervision of an IRD researcher, your assignment will be to create edited rice lines using established laboratory methodologies and implementing new approaches to plant genome editing and genotyping of transgenic and mutant lines.

Your activities will include:

Designing and cloning the constructs needed to edit target genes in rice.
Genetic transformation and genome editing of rice.
In vitro culture and regeneration of the material generated.
Characterization of the lines generated by genotyping and sequencing.
Multiplication of the edited lines.
Participation in the training of students and partners from the Global South. Introducing users (students, partners) to techniques in the field and laboratory equipment.

Your future team

You will join the DIADE unit, which comprises around 80 permanent staff divided into seven research teams. This position involves experimental activities developed within the EDITROP platform, at the interface of three units working on different aspects of developmental biology and phytopathology in rice.

The profile we are looking for

You have developed the following skills:

• Knowledge and mastery of the implementation of a range of genetic transformation and in vitro culture techniques in plants, associated molecular biology techniques (PCR, genotyping, sequencing, molecular cloning).
• Ability to record, format, and present results.
• Know how to use IT tools for data processing.
• Know how to communicate and interact with your professional environment.
• Know and be able to implement regulations in the field of health and safety and hazardous products.

You demonstrate the following personal qualities:

• Sense of responsibility and ability to work in a team.
• Rigorous approach.
• Ability to interact with different scientific structures and teams to organize and carry out activities.

You hold a level 5-6 degree (BTS, DUT, Bachelor’s) in plant biotechnology.

Throughout your career, IRD will support you in developing your skills.

The institute provides you with a range of tools such as a digital integration program and access to continuing education.

By joining IRD, you will benefit from:

• 32 days of vacation + 13 days of RTT (for full-time employees working 38.5 hours per week).
• Meal vouchers OR access to a company cafeteria (depending on the site).
• Annual subscription (optional) to the Association des Œuvres Sociales: vacation, leisure, sports, and cultural benefits.
• Contribution to social security.
• A pleasant working environment close to nature, served by Tram line 5, accessible by bike, and benefiting from a carpooling system (mobility agreement signed with the city).