Post doc position in experimental modeling of the root system architecture as an efficient tran[...]

Universite de Montpellier; France; Sur place; EUR 80 000 - 100 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research university in France is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join the ROOTRANSNET project, focusing on root architecture and transport networks. Ideal candidates will have a PhD in bioinformatics or related fields and experience in data analysis. The role offers an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment, utilizing state-of-the-art modeling tools. The net monthly salary ranges from €2,200 to €2,380, with a contract duration of 18 months. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via email.

Qualifications

• PhD in bioinformatics, mathematics, modeling, data science, or physics of complex systems.
• Experience in data analysis and/or modeling of biological systems.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.

Responsabilités

• Develop and apply modeling and transport network analysis approaches.
• Contribute to the scientific implementation of the ROOTRANSNET project.
• Perform interspecific and developmental comparisons of root architecture tradeoffs.

Connaissances

Scientific programming (Python)

Data analysis

Network modeling

Statistics

3D modeling

Formation

PhD in bioinformatics or related field

Outils

CRootBox

OpenSimRoot

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Universite de Montpellier Department Human Resources Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Computer science » 3 D modelling Computer science » Systems design Mathematics » Applied mathematics Physics » Applied physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 14 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe Reference Number 2026-R0140 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

- work environment: The position is part of the ROOTRANSNET project, funded by the Montpellier I-SITE Excellence Program, and will be hosted at IPSiM (Institute of Plant Sciences of Montpellier – INRAE / University of Montpellier), within the SIRENE team, in an international, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative research environment.

The postdoctoral researcher will work at the interface of root developmental biology, 3D modeling, network and graph theory, and data analysis, in close interaction with biologists, modelers, and computer scientists (INRAE, CIRAD, University of Montpellier, and international collaborators).

They will have access to state-of-the-art phenotyping platforms (HIRROS), open-source modeling tools (CRootBox, OpenSimRoot, OpenAlea), and computational pipelines developed in the laboratory (Ariadne).

- main mission: The main mission of the postdoctoral researcher is to develop and apply modeling and transport network analysis approaches to root system architecture, in order to identify the tradeoffs governing root plasticity in response to development and environmental conditions.

- activities: The ppostdoc will contribute to the scientific implementation of the ROOTRANSNET project, whose objective is to characterize and model the tradeoffs governing root system architecture as a transport network. The assigned tasks include:

• Develop and apply multi-objective analyses based on Pareto optimality to 2D and 3D root system architectures.
• Extend the Ariadne pipeline to integrate new tradeoffs (robustness, redundancy, transport capacity).
• Analyze datasets derived from 2D phenotyping and in silico 3D reconstructions (CRootBox, OpenSimRoot).
• Perform interspecific and developmental comparisons of root architecture tradeoffs.
• Contribute to in silico identification of candidate developmental pathways explaining tradeoff variation.
• Contribute to advanced statistical analyses and interpretable machine learning approaches (in collaboration with specialized partners).
• Disseminate results through scientific publications, the development of open-source tools, and the release of datasets.

The net monthly salary is between €2,200 and €2,380

The contract duration is 18 months

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Physics » Mathematical physics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Mathematics » Applied mathematics Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Computer science » Systems design Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Education and experience:

• PhD in bioinformatics, mathematics, modeling, data science, physics of complex systems, or a related discipline.
• Experience in data analysis and/or modeling of biological systems.

Technical skills:

• Proficiency in a scientific programming language (Python required; R, C++ appreciated).
• Strong interest in network modeling, multi-criteria optimization, or graph theory.
• Skills in statistics and data analysis.
• Experience in 3D modeling, phenotyping, or machine learning is an advantage but not required.
• Strong scientific curiosity and an interest in conceptual approaches.
• Ability to work independently while integrating into a collaborative project.
• Comfortable in an interdisciplinary environment.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.