INRA-UPMC - UMR 1272 Physiology of Insects: Signalling and Communication
The PISC Lab offers 18 months of PostDoc/Research Engineer position to a behavioural biologist. The position is funded by the 2012-14 FP7 EU Palm Protect project, which aims at improving the detection and control of two palm borers invasive in the EU : the moth Paysandisia archon (PA) and the Red Palm Weevil (RPW). Olfaction plays a key role in the biology of both species. Putative pheromones have recently been identified in PA and may provide a new monitoring system. Aggregation pheromone is used in routine to monitor and control RPW mixed with plant odours, but with the need of using natural plant bait and costly management. Our research project aims at pursuing the behavioural study on sex attraction with the chemical identified as sex pheromones and the plant volatile compounds to improve semiochemical-based management of both species.
The contract fellow will investigate the chemical and behavioural properties of selected natural molecules using mainly olfactometer, wind tunnel and behavioural analysis techniques on both species. Due to seasonal availability of PA the project comprises two sub-programs, one of 5-6 months in spring-summer devoted to PA and the second devoted to RPW.
PA : the research includes evaluation of the behavioural activity of the chemicals identified as sex pheromone under semi-field and laboratory conditions in collaboration with CIRAD Montpellier. The aims are decipher the attraction to mates and to develop an efficient attractant in an efficient trap.
RPW : the work will focus on 1- screening natural / artificial palm odours for their capacity to synergize / antagonize the response to pheromone using a walking device and analysing 2D virtual tracks and 2- evaluating odour combinations for ability to lure flying insects till the sources under semi-field conditions using video recording.
Requested skills: The candidate should have solid experience in insect chemical ecology and behaviour recording and analysis. Know-how in isolation and GC analysis of pheromone or plant VOCs will be appreciated.
Position information : Position available from 2012, 1st March.
Net salary: 1800-2000 EUR/month depending on experience.
Environment: The PISC Lab is situated in the INRA Campus in Versailles, 20 km West from Paris. Research thematic of the group is insect chemical communication:
Contact for RWP : Dr Didier Rochat, didier.rochat@versailles.inra.fr
Contact for PA : Dr Brigitte Frérot, brigitte.frerot@versailles.inra.fr
http://www-physiologie-insecte.versailles.inra.fr/
http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/agriculture/projects/palm_protect_en.htm