Saclay Plant Sciences network

The Saclay Plant Sciences (SPS) network gathers around 60 research teams specialized in plant sciences belonging to 6 institutes in the Paris area and represents more than 750 people. SPS is coordinated by the Université Paris-Saclay.

The current fundamental and applied research activities of the SPS teams concern the genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms that control plant physiology and development, as well as their interactions with fluctuating biotic or abiotic environments. These studies extend from molecules to the entire plant in the field, and use the concepts and tools of biochemistry, biophysics, imaging, molecular biology, genetics, evolution, cell biology, modelling, ecophysiology and bioinformatics. They are multidisciplinary by nature and aim to build a more integrative, quantitative and predictive biology, and develop applied research and innovations. SPS-GSR supports research activities through large collaborative and integrative “flagship” projects, as well as several grant programs.

SPS can rely on about 15 platforms with cutting-edge equipment offering medium to high throughput techniques for plant biology, covering genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, transcriptomics, interactomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, imaging and cell biology, together with a large range of facilities for plant culture and phenotyping.

Teaching and Training Programs

Master’s programs

SPS supports dedicated Master’s and Engineer programs in Plant Sciences. 10 to 12 SPS Scholarships are available yearly for students pursuing one of our Master’s or Engineer program. Several of our Master’s programs are fully taught in English and open to international students.

Our programs develop active teaching methods (e.g. flipped teaching), as well as diverse and original ways for knowledge assessment. Students are provided with a strong practical training through hands-on courses using cutting-edge equipment. Education and training for and through research is strengthened by research-based courses and interactions with research labs, in particular lab rotations, allowing the students to acquire academic knowledge as well as transferable skills. Moreover, specific courses, dedicated events and visits to companies promote interactions between students and the socio-economic world.

 

PhD program

The SPS laboratories host about 100 doctoral candidates (among whom about 40% are international students). PhD students have access to a doctoral program of education, allowing them to acquire both scientific and transferable skills. Moreover, each doctoral candidate is followed by an individual monitoring committee to ensure, through individual interviews, that the doctoral training program is proceeding smoothly.

In addition to other funding opportunities for PhD programs, SPS offers 2 three-year PhD contracts yearly, open to the students coming from our teaching programs and/or performing their Master’s internship in SPS teams.

 

Outreach

SPS has developed several outreach programs aiming to improve understanding of plant biology and related societal issues, and explain how SPS research activities contribute to the development of knowledge, innovation and plant improvement. These activities are particularly designed to help teenagers (14-18 years old, about 1000 per year) make decisions as future citizens, but SPS also welcomes the general public during specific events.