Postdoctoral Researcher in Theoretical Population Genetics (M/F)

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research; France; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

CNRS - National Center for Scientific Research in France seeks a First Stage Researcher (R1) to join the Evolution and Demography team at ISEM, Montpellier. You will develop theoretical models and perform numerical simulations in population genetics and evolutionary biology, focusing on genetic clines, local adaptation, and genomic offset approaches.

Applicants should have a PhD in population genetics or related fields, strong programming skills (Python, R, C++), and a track record in

Qualifications

• PhD in population genetics, evolutionary biology, or quantitative genetics.
• Strong background in theoretical modeling and/or numerical simulations.
• Programming skills in Python, R or C++ and English writing ability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and analyze theoretical models of genetic clines across landscapes.
• Perform numerical simulations coupling selection, dispersal and demography.
• Investigate local adaptation and genetic incompatibilities in multilocus systems.
• Collaborate with national and international researchers and literature reviews.

Skills

Population genetics

Evolutionary biology

Quantitative genetics

Theoretical modeling

Numerical simulations

Literature reviews

Scientific writing in English

Education

PhD in population genetics

Tools

Python

R

C++

Job description

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Institut des Sciences de l'Évolution de Montpellier Research Field Biological sciences Environmental science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 11 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The successful candidate will join a research team specializing in population genetics and evolutionary biology at the Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM).
The LandCline project (Multigenic Cline Theory Across Heterogeneous Landscapes and Its Implications for Genomic Offset Approaches) aims to develop a theoretical framework to better understand how natural selection, dispersal, local demography, and the genetic architecture of traits shape patterns of genomic variation across heterogeneous landscapes.
The primary objective is to investigate the conditions under which genetic clines emerge and are maintained under multilocus selection, considering both local adaptation (extrinsic selection) and genetic incompatibilities (intrinsic selection), as well as their interactions.
The project will also assess the implications of these processes for the interpretation of genotype–environment associations (GEA) and the reliability of Genomic Offset approaches, particularly those used to predict population responses to environmental change.

The research will focus on the development and analysis of theoretical models and numerical simulations of genetic clines across spatially heterogeneous landscapes.
The main activities will include:

• Modeling local adaptation: Investigating the emergence and maintenance of genetic clines as a function of genetic architecture and dispersal.
• Investigating interactions between intrinsic and extrinsic selection: Analyzing the mechanisms underlying the formation and coupling of genetic clines.
• Developing numerical simulations: Modeling interactions among selection, dispersal, and demography in heterogeneous environments.
• Applications to Genomic Offset approaches: Assessing the implications of these processes for genotype–environment associations and predictions of maladaptation.
• Scientific literature review: Critically evaluating studies that use Genomic Offset approaches, particularly in the context of environmental change.

The project will involve national and international collaborations in theoretical population genetics and evolutionary biology.

The Institute of Evolutionary Sciences of Montpellier (ISEM – UMR 5554) is primarily located on the Triolet Campus of the University of Montpellier, France.
The institute brings together more than 250 staff members, including permanent researchers, academic faculty, engineers, technicians, and non-permanent personnel such as fixed-term researchers, postdoctoral fellows, PhD students, and interns.
For more than 40 years, ISEM has conducted research on the origin and dynamics of biodiversity and the mechanisms and processes underlying evolution.
Its fundamental research in evolutionary biology addresses both present-day and past biodiversity, encompasses a wide range of organisms and environments, and combines field-based, experimental, and theoretical approaches.
This fundamental research is closely connected to applied and predictive research addressing one of the major scientific and societal challenges of the 21st century, in collaboration with the humanities, medicine, and society: "How can biodiversity respond to global environmental change?"

The successful candidate will work within the "Evolution and Demography" research team, led by Guillaume MARTIN.

Applicants must hold a PhD in population genetics, evolutionary biology, or quantitative genetics, with experience in theoretical modeling and/or numerical simulations.

Required Skills and Expertise

• Strong knowledge of theoretical population genetics, particularly models of natural selection, migration–selection balance, local adaptation, genetic clines, and multilocus selection.
• Familiarity with quantitative genetic models and Fisher's Geometric Model would be an advantage.
• Ability to develop, analyze, and interpret theoretical models in population genetics and evolutionary biology.
• Experience with spatially explicit models and analytical approaches would be an asset.
• Ability to use, adapt, or develop simulation tools in population genetics.
• Proficiency in at least one scientific programming language (Python, R, C++, or equivalent).
• Experience analyzing data generated from numerical simulations.
• Knowledge of the mechanisms underlying genetic divergence and methods for analyzing genotype–environment associations.
• Familiarity with Genomic Offset approaches would be an advantage.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive literature reviews and critically evaluate theoretical and empirical research.
• Capacity to place research findings within the broader context of existing scientific knowledge.

Professional and Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to conduct theoretical and computational research rigorously.
• Strong organizational skills to plan and coordinate the different stages of the research project.
• Commitment to ensuring the reproducibility of analyses.
• Ability to develop original approaches, solve complex scientific problems, and propose new research directions.
• Ability to collaborate with researchers from complementary scientific backgrounds in an international and interdisciplinary research environment.
• Ability to write scientific articles in English.
• Ability to present and discuss research findings during scientific meetings and at national and international conferences.
• Ability to compare theoretical predictions with simulation results and empirical observations.
• Capacity to identify the implications and limitations of the models developed.