The BVpam Laboratory (CNRS UMR 5079) at Université Jean Monnet in Saint-Étienne, France, is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position focusing on plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their ecological roles. This research project investigates how temperature affects VOC emissions in roses and how these changes influence pollinator attraction.
The BVpam laboratory specializes in plant biotechnology applied to aromatic and medicinal plants. Their research focuses on the biosynthesis, transport, and ecological functions of plant volatile organic compounds, which are essential for plant communication and interactions with pollinators.
Overview
- Host Institution: Université Jean Monnet, Saint-Étienne, France
- Research Laboratory: BVpam Laboratory (CNRS UMR 5079) – Plant Biotechnology Applied to Aromatic and Medicinal Plants
- Program: Fully Funded PhD Position
- Duration: 3 Years
- Research Topic: Effect of Temperature on VOC Emission in Rose and Impact on Pollinators
- Research Areas: Plant Biology, Chemical Ecology, Plant–Pollinator Interactions, Molecular Biology, Metabolomics
- Supervisor: Dr. Benoît Boachon
- Co-Supervisor: Prof. Patrick Grof-Tisza
- Collaboration: University of Marburg, Germany
- Funding: Fully Funded PhD Position
- Application Deadline: 27 March 2026
PhD Pollinator Research Project
The main objective of this PhD project is to understand how temperature influences the biosynthesis and emission of volatile organic compounds in rose flowers and how these changes affect pollinator behavior, particularly bees and bumblebees.
Floral VOCs play an essential role in chemical communication between plants and pollinators and are crucial for successful plant reproduction.
Preliminary research on the hybrid rose Rosa chinensis ‘Old Blush’ shows that moderate temperature increases can significantly alter both the quality and quantity of floral VOC emissions. These changes may affect the floral scent signature and disrupt pollinator attraction.
The project will:
- Investigate whether temperature effects are conserved in wild rose species such as Rosa canina and Rosa gallica.
- Study the ecological impact of these changes through behavioral assays with bees and bumblebees.
- Combine molecular biology, metabolomics, and ecological experiments to understand plant-pollinator interactions under climate change.
The research will be conducted in collaboration with Professor Robert Junker from the University of Marburg, a specialist in plant-pollinator interactions.
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What the Pollinator PhD Position Offers
- Fully funded PhD position for 3 years
- Work in an international research environment
- Access to state-of-the-art technologies
- Opportunity to collaborate with international researchers
- Research experience in plant fragrance biochemistry and ecology
Supervision
- PhD Supervisor: Dr. Benoît Boachon
- Co-Supervisor: Prof. Patrick Grof-Tisza
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Candidate Requirements for PhD Pollinator
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Master’s degree in:
- Plant Biology
- Organismal Biology
- Chemical Ecology
- Or a related field
- Strong interest in plant–insect interactions or plant chemistry
- Background in:
- Plant physiology
- Molecular biology
- Ecology
- Laboratory experience such as:
- Plant cultivation
- Experimental setups
- Interest in VOC analysis, metabolomics, and insect behavioral assays
- Good scientific English proficiency
- Ability to work in international research collaborations
Application Process
Applicants should submit the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter
Applications should be sent by email to:
benoit.boachon@univ-st-etienne.fr
Application Deadline: March 27, 2026
After a pre-selection process, shortlisted candidates will be invited to apply for the doctoral school competitive selection.
Example Publications from the Research Group
Some recent publications from the research group include studies on monoterpene scent biosynthesis, volatile transport in plants, and plant volatile communication pathways.
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