Phd Contamination Of Shellfish With Sapovirus Virus Diversity And Persistence M - W

Karlstad University; Nantes; Hybride; EUR 25 000 - 35 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Rejoignez une équipe innovante pour un doctorat sur la contamination des coquillages par les virus. Ce projet de recherche passionnant se concentre sur la diversité et la persistance du sapovirus dans les environnements côtiers, en utilisant des techniques avancées de biologie moléculaire. Vous serez formé pour concevoir et analyser des expériences, participer à des conférences et collaborer avec une équipe internationale. Si vous êtes passionné par la microbiologie et la santé publique, cette opportunité est faite pour vous. Développez vos compétences tout en contribuant à la protection de l'océan et à la sécurité alimentaire.

Prestations

Formation professionnelle spécifique

Travail à distance occasionnel

Participation à des conférences

Qualifications

• Expérience en laboratoire de recherche en microbiologie et virologie.
• Connaissance des techniques de biologie moléculaire et de culture cellulaire.

Responsabilités

• Concevoir et réaliser des expériences sur la contamination des coquillages.
• Analyser des échantillons et rédiger des manuscrits scientifiques.

Connaissances

Virologie

Microbiologie

Culture cellulaire

Biologie moléculaire

Bioinformatique

Statistiques

Rédaction scientifique

Formation

Master 2 en microbiologie

Master 2 en virologie

Outils

PCR

Séquençage

Analyse biostatistique

Description du poste

Phd Contamination Of Shellfish With Sapovirus Virus Diversity And Persistence M - W

Closure date for receipt of applications : 19/05/2025

Who are we?

Within the MASAE unit (Microbiology, Food, Health, Environment), the Laboratory of Health, Environment, and Microbiology (LSEM) develops research activities related to pathogenic microorganisms for humans (mainly viruses and bacteria) in the land-sea continuum and shellfish, to understand the mechanisms of transfer, persistence, or emergence within the coastal environment. Our research, at the interface of human health and the microbiological quality of the coastal environment, is based on our activities as the National Reference Laboratory for the microbiology of shellfish and the monitoring of the sanitary quality of shellfish production areas (LSEM coordinates REMI, the network for microbiological monitoring of shellfish production areas). The virology team is notably involved in the Obepine+ wastewater epidemiology platform and coordinates the European project PREVIR, aimed at developing a tool to predict viral contamination of coastal watersheds.

What is the subject of the thesis?

Shellfish contamination with human pathogens poses significant public health and economic challenges, especially due to foodborne outbreaks linked to consumption. Shellfish, particularly oysters, become contaminated through filter-feeding in coastal waters affected by human sewage, retaining viral particles like norovirus (NoV) and potentially sapovirus (SAV). While NoV is a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis, SAV has been less frequently studied in shellfish, leaving open questions about its prevalence and impact.

This project aims to investigate prevalence, diversity, and persistence of SAV in coastal environments and oysters. Sampling will include oysters, estuarine water, and wastewater, with quantification of SAV genomes by digital RT-PCR. Targeted metagenomics will be used to identify viral genotypes in positive samples. Additionally, live oysters will be artificially contaminated with these viruses to study their accumulation and localization in oyster tissues. The project will also assess the persistence of infectious SAV in seawater and oysters through controlled experiments using human cell cultures, providing crucial insights into its role in shellfish contamination and public health implications.

What will your mission be?

A PhD is a training program through research. Under the supervision of the thesis director and co-supervisor, your role will be to design, implement, and critically analyze experiments to answer the research questions. You will be trained in experimental research, literature review, data analysis and presentation, and scientific writing. You will be integrated into the team and participate in laboratory activities and the MASAE unit. Externally, you will participate in remote meetings with project collaborators (Japanese team).

What will your activities be?

• Bibliography
• Setting up molecular biology techniques for detection and sequencing of SAV
• Conducting experiments in molecular biology, human cell culture, virology, etc.
• Analyzing samples from previous projects
• Sampling in coastal areas
• Data analysis (biostatistics, bioinformatics)
• Writing thesis manuscript (in French or English)
• Writing scientific papers (in English)
• Participating in conferences or congresses (French and/or English)
• Specific professional training by the École Doctorale or Ifremer

How are your activities organized?

• 100% activity rate
• Occasional remote working possible
• Position based in Nantes, France
• Occasional travel for sampling and conferences

Key words: Sapovirus, Norovirus, Shellfish quality, Food safety

Who are you?

Master 2 (or equivalent) in virology, microbiology, host-pathogens interactions, clinical microbiology, or food microbiology. You should have:

• Strong microbiology, especially virology knowledge
• Research laboratory experience
• Know-how in mammalian cell culture and virology
• Know-how in molecular biology (nucleic acids extraction, PCR, sequencing)
• Some bioinformatics or statistics skills appreciated
• Good writing and bibliography skills
• Proficiency in English (written and oral)

You should also possess:

• Curiosity, enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge
• Scientific rigor
• Organized mindset
• Teamwork and autonomy, initiative

Join Ifremer, an organization committed to planetary well-being, to better understand and protect the ocean.