Postdoc position (Rennes, France)

Behavioral epidemiology studies the interaction between human behavior and the spread of disease. A number of modeling studies helped understand how human behavior (in particular decision-making regarding disease control) can be influenced by epidemiological dynamics and, in turn, how behavior itself affects the spread of diseases. While plant diseases are among the main threats to global food security, there are few models linking crop grower behavior and plant disease epidemics.

In that context, the BEEP project (ANR 2024-2028 - Behavioral Epidemiology and Evolution of Plant Pathogens) aims to develop a theory of behavioral epidemiology specific to plant health, with an evolutionary perspective. The project explores the key mechanisms allowing the adoption, rejection and diffusion of control methods to maintain disease incidence under an acceptable level and maximize plant health in the long-run.

This postdoctoral position will contribute to developing a spatiotemporal theory for perennial crops, such as citrus trees. Specifically, we will use citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), as a case study. Growers' behaviors include disease surveillance and removing infected trees. These control methods may put evolutionary pressure on pathogens to become less detectable, potentially at the expense of becoming less transmissible. One key question is whether partial initial control by growers could enable pathogens to evolve and undermine a more widely adopted control policy in the event of an outbreak.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will develop and analyze a model accounting for spatial heterogeneity among growers, including both small and large orchards, in the landscape. Depending on your skills and preferences, you can formulate the model as an ordinary differential equation (ODE)-based metapopulation system or a more detailed spatial stochastic model. In either case, the model must be based on sound mathematical principles, be interpretable in biological terms, and offer general insights into the control of evolving plant pathogens.

Keywords

Plant pathogens, epidemiological modeling, spatial-temporal model, metapopulations, behavioral dynamics, socio-ecological dynamics, game theory, adaptive dynamics, evolutionary invasion analysis, trade-offs.

Activities

    • Design of spatial-temporal models applied to plant disease epidemics x behavior x pathogen evolution
    • Mathematical and theoretical analysis of simplified model dynamics
    • Numerical analysis of model dynamics, including code development (e.g., Python, Julia, R)
    • Writing scientific articles; participating in international conferences
    • Collaborative working with project partners (Rennes, Sophia Antipolis, Montpellier, UK, Germany)

Skills

    • PhD in theoretical evolutionary biology or mathematical ecology and familiar with evolutionary questions
    • Experience in dynamical systems analysis applied to population dynamics or epidemiology is required; knowledge on game theory is a plus; interest but not necessarily experience with spatial-temporal models is required; interest or experience with challenging models with data is a plus 
    • Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Julia, R)
    • Strong written and oral communication abilities, proficiency in English
    • Strong autonomy, taste for theory, and collaborative mindset

Conditions

    • Starting date: Fall 2025 (flexible)
    • Duration: 24 months
    • Location: Institut Agro, Rennes, France
    • Qualification: PhD in theoretical evolutionary biology or mathematical biology 
    • Salary: 3100 euros/month (gross)
    • The position will be supervised by Frédéric Hamelin (Rennes, France), Virginie Ravigné (Montpellier, France) and Nik Cunniffe (Cambridge, UK). Close collaborations are expected locally with members of Hamelin’s lab, and with other participants of the BEEP project.

To apply

    • please submit your CV and a motivation letter, detailing your previous research experience and professional goals, and contact information for 2 referees, to frederic.hamelin@institut-agro.fr before November 15th.

Supervisors' Google Scholar pages

    • Frédéric Hamelin: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=qdYPYeoAAAAJ&hl=fr&oi=ao
    • Virginie Ravigné: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=36NLzVYAAAAJ&hl=fr&oi=ao 
    • Nik Cunniffe: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=RKunIbsAAAAJ&hl=fr&oi=ao