Kelp life history evolution and selection for aquaculture.*
A two year postdoctoral research position is available immediately at
the Roscoff Marine Laboratory, UMI "Evolutionary Biology and Ecology of
Algae" in France (http://www.sb-roscoff.fr/umi-3614.html). The aim of
the project is to use a combination of crossing experiments and genetic
analyses in order to improve our basic knowledge of life history traits
evolution in brown algae and to implement kelp selection for
aquaculture. This position is funded in the context of the IDEALG
project (http://www.idealg.ueb.eu/).
Artificial selection is crucial to algal aquaculture development, and
contrarily to many terrestrial plant species, selection process in
seaweed is in infancy, particularly in Europe. The aim of the project
IDEALG is to develop basic research for selection process in seaweed
aquaculture incorporating rigorous evolutionary thinking into it.
Generally, seaweed populations are characterized by large level of
genetic differentiation suggesting that populations are adapted to their
local environment. In this context, parents that are too similar
genetically may suffer from reduced crossing compatibility due to
inbreeding depression, whereas crosses between parents that are too
different genetically may lead to an outbreeding depression by
disrupting adaptive complexes. An intermediate optimal outcrossing
distance is therefore expected as a compromise between inbreeding
depression and outbreeding depression. In addition, seaweeds display
complex life cycles, involving an alternation of haploid and diploid
individuals. The consequences of such cycles for the reproductive system
have been little studied experimentally. In particular, inbreeding
depression is expected to be reduced as deleterious mutations are
removed from the genome during the haploid phase.
The objective of this project is to address these questions combining
crossing experiments with genetic analyses in different kelps (in
particular Saccharina latissima). The effects of crosses on reproductive
success will be investigated by examining the evolution of crossing
compatibility with increasing geographic distance. Number of
fertilizations and abortion rate will be measured in single-male crosses
in laboratory conditions, as estimates of prezygotic and early
postzygotic compatibility between mates.
Applicants must have a PhD in evolutionary ecology, in plant breeding or
genetics. They must have a good background in population genetics and
demonstrable experience in breeding experiments. Specific experience on
seaweed ecology and culturing is preferable.
Salary will be 2000 EUR to 2500EUR per month (net) depending on experience.
Applications are accepted until 15 February, 2015 and should include CV
together with a description of research experience, relevant
publications and 2 letters of references. Interview of the selected
candidates will be made from the 15 to the 28 February 2015.
Applications should be sent to Christophe Destombe
(
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) and Myriam Valero (
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prefer applications in electronic form. For more information please
contact Christophe Destombe and/or Myriam Valero. |