Graduate programmes in Europe Vincent Ducrocq Mogens Lund Jouy-en-Josas, France
Outline French higher education in the field of Agriculture and role of INRA French/ European Master of Animal Breeding and Genetics European PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics Post-docs
French higher education: an elitist system Preparatory classes + Engineering schools University Doctorat (3 Years) Doctorat (3 years) Ingénieur degree «Ecoles d ingénieurs» Master Licence «Classes Préparatoires» High school = Lycée Baccalauréat
The French higher education institutions in the field of agricultural and veterinary studies Rennes Nancy Nantes Lyon Toulouse Montpellier Agricultural studies Veterinary studies
INRA and Universities Agricultural Universities do little research on their own University groups are encouraged to sign contracts to be INRA associated labs ( Mixed Research Units or UMR ) INRA scientists are encouraged to do some teaching at Master or PhD level Master students spend at least 6 months at INRA PhD students are trained at INRA
Erasmus Mundus - Animal Breeding and Genetics (EM-ABG) Master of Science Wageningen University (NL) AgroParisTech, Paris (FR), SLU, Uppsala (Sweden) BOKU, Vienna (Austria) Olso (Norway)
French master of Science and EM-ABG master AgroParisTech ENV Alfort INRA Jouy Wageningen University Univ. Vienna, Uppsala, Kiel, ÅS AgroParisTech Master of Science in Animal Genetics, Genome and Diversity Erasmus Mundus Animal Breeding and Genetics FR AT NL DE SE NO 2 nd year: 4 5 3 3 0 5 4
2 nd Master year (M2): general frame Courses: 20 credits Thesis research: 30 credits Personal work: 10 cr. Sep. Dec. Jan. June Courses are methods-oriented Illustrations are given in a wide range of species There is no species oriented course All lectures are given in English (possibly with a strong French accent)
2 nd Master year (M2): courses content A / Advanced courses in Genetics A.1 Quantitative genetics and mathematical tools: 45 h, 5 cr. Concepts, covariance between relatives; estimating genet. param. (principles) Genetic evaluation, BLUP methodologies, introduction to var. comp. estimation Matrix algebra, numerical optimization, introduction to Monte Carlo methods A.2 Multi-scale investigations of genetic variation: 48 h, 5 cr. Markers and mapping ; from QTL detection to gene identification Genome structure and expression; phenotypes building A.3 Genetic diversity and populations management: 48 h, 5 cr. Polymorphisms analysis; characterization and conservation of genetic resources Breeding goals, selection methods, breeding plans Advanced concepts and methods in population genetics; selection footprints
2 nd Master year (M2): courses content B / Other courses, praticals, testimonies B.1 Ethical, juridical, social aspects in animal science: 25h, 2.5 cr. Introduction to philosophy, social perceptions of issues dealing with animals European regulation, role of ethical committees Testimony of scientists, visit of experimental facilities, group assignments B.2 Practice of molecular biology: 1 week, 2.5 cr. Basic practices and methods in molecular biology Collective tools and equipments in molecular biology B.3 Stakeholders testimonies: 15 h Entrepreneurship and animal breeding International dimension of animal breeding Animal breeding in developing countries
EGS-ABG, a European joint PhD program Both quantitative/population genetics and genomics at home Substantial number of PhD students awarded each year Experience of collaboration (e.g. European Master EM-ABG)
Common rules EGS-ABG will work as a unique European Graduate School: a doctoral candidate will first depend on EGS-ABG Each PhD project is jointly supervised by two host institutions. One institution is the employer (= 1st institution) Mobility between both institutions For any activity, the requirement by EGS-ABG is the most demanding among the requirements by the 4 partners Within ABG, 3 main fields of interest: 1. Sustainable animal breeding and population management 2. Understanding phenotype-genotype relationships 3. Statistical genetics, statistics, and bio-informatics
International: 4 Partners and 6 Associate Partners + joint supervision + mobility 4-year PhD program 2 host institutions (among the 4 Partners) Joint supervision Compulsory mobility: 2 + 2 yrs or 3 + 1 yrs Possibility of internship (6 months) in one Associated Partner
International 26 candidates, 19 countries + common activities + networking Year of enrolment 2011 2012 2013
Innovation A majority of topics are in the front of science Distribution of topics of PhD projects in 3 categories N = 35 26 projects started, in 2011, 2012 or 2013 9 projects scheduled to start on Sept.2014 Methods for using high density genomics data in animal breeding and selection Genetic variability of some traits: fertility, robustness, health, feed efficiency, Population management, biodiversity, life cycle assessment
A 4-year thesis with emphasis put on training activities Activity Independent research work under supervision (PhD project) Introductory course with all candidates enrolled a given year Two Summer Research Schools bringing together the candidates Advanced scientific courses Courses in transferable skills Total ECTS credits - 2 4 18 6 30 Years 3.5 0.5 4 + experiencing scientific exposure
Employability of the future PhDs Enrolment is a highly competitive process: each year, about 9 fellowships for 100 to 150 applicants. Stringent criteria for awarding. Links between science and industry. Scientific exposure, exchanges with breeders. Emphasis put on training: 30 ECTS must be credited during the program (about half a year for training). Scientific courses + courses in transferable skills. Research schools «ABG and the society»
Post-docs: Agreenskills http://www.agreenskills.eu/ AgreenSkills and AgreenSkills+ are postdoctoral fellowship programmes co-funded by the European Union and based at INRA, in collaboration with a research and higher education consortium Agreenium (Consortium including INRA, CIRAD + Agricultural Higher education institutes) These programmes promote international mobility for experienced young and independent researchers to develop challenging basic or targeted research projects in the fields of agriculture, environment, food and nutrition, and animal health.
Post-docs: Agreenskills Financed: 7,5 M, 5 M from European FP7 Works in both ways (From and to Agreenium) No nationality requirements Main egilibity conditions: excellence of both the candidate and the project AgreenSkills and AgreenSkills+ boast high flexibility Attractive conditions A transparent selection process Joint responsibility for labs and fellows to assure high-quality research projects Careful attention to the ethical principles in research.
Post-docs: Agreenskills Key figures of AgreenSkills and AgreenSkills+ AgreenSkills offers 142 fellow-years over 4 years (2012 to 2016), while AgreenSkills+ offers 212 fellow years over a five year period (2014-2019) Access to more than 300 research units for incoming mobility Attractive salaries that are significantly higher than French state salaries for young and independent researchers.
Basic information Economically very attractive: employed scientists can apply and receive + 60 % of base income Eligibility : Young scientists or professors (at most 10 years after Master degree, with PhD +publications) Length: Period of 6 to 24 months Selection through international experts (rate: 1 out of 3 or 4) based on candidate quality (publications), scientific quality of the project, scientific environment applications on agreenskills website (http://www.agreenskills.eu/) at any time but 2 selection phases a year
Graduate programmes in Europe Vincent Ducrocq Mogens Lund Jouy-en-Josas, France