Master/ Gap Year Internship – Service Plants & Root-Knot Nematodes (6 months)

Discovering Service Plants: Exploring Their Natural Potential Against Root-Knot Nematodes

Project Context:
The internship is part of the PARSADA-METASERV project (2026–2030), which aims to develop generic resources and tools for the identification, evaluation and deployment of service plants as sustainable alternatives or complements to conventional pest management.

The project seeks to improve our understanding of the traits and mechanisms underlying the effectiveness of service plants against agricultural pests, with the ultimate goal of supporting their integration into agroecological crop protection strategies.

The internship will contribute to Action 2: Demonstration and understanding of the mechanisms of action of service plants under controlled conditions, with a particular focus on the interactions between service plants and root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.).

Internship objectives:

The intern will evaluate a range of candidate service plants for their interactions with different Meloidogyne species under controlled conditions. The main activities will include:

● Assessing the host suitability of selected plant species to different Meloidogyne species.
● Evaluating nematode root penetration and infection.
● Conducting nematode inoculation experiments and assessing plant responses.
● Performing laboratory bioassays to investigate nematode behaviour and survival.
● Collecting, recording and organising experimental data.
● Performing statistical analysis and interpreting experimental results using R.
● Contributing to the analysis, synthesis and presentation of research findings.

The precise experimental programme, including the plant–nematode combinations to be tested, will be refined according to project progress and research priorities.

Candidate profile:
The position is open to a Master’s or an Engineering student in agronomy, biology, ecology, microbiology, plant science or a related field.
The candidate should have:
● A strong interest in sustainable crop protection, agroecology and biological control
● An interest in plant pathology and/or nematology
● A strong motivation to conduct laboratory and controlled-environment experiments
● Basic knowledge of experimental design and statistics, with experience using R
● Good written and oral communication skills
● Good organisational skills, scientific rigour, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a research team
● English and/or French language skills.

Duration: 6 months from October/November 2026 to March/April 2027 (Full-time)

Send cover letter + CV to cliven.njekete@inrae.fr and caroline.caporalino@inrae.fr