FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions

To answer your questions about TULIP and the TULIP Graduate School

 

-Q: What is TULIP ? TULIP is a French scientific community performing high-quality international researches at the interface between plant and microbial biology, as well as in ecology, evolution and biodiversity. We study the biological mechanisms of interactions at all scales of living organization, from the molecular scale to the scale of interactions of organisms within populations and ecological communities, as well as the time scales of evolution.

Our ambition today is to train and attract the best candidates to amplify our interdisciplinary approach to help design new knowledge-based decision-making tools that allow our companies to make informed decisions that respect the environment while taking into account their economic and societal viability.   

-Q: Who makes up TULIP laboratories ? TULIP laboratories are made up of university assistant professors and professors, researchers, engineers and technicians, administrative staff, post-doctoral researchers, PhD, Masters and License students. In total, it's about 700 people

-Q: What are the research themes of the laboratories that will be able to host me for an internship ? To find out about the research themes of the TULIP laboratories, we invite you to consult the following website of TULIP and the lab websites (below)

 

Laboratoire des Interactions Plantes-Microbes-Environnement
UMR CNRS / INRA 2594/441
130 people / Director: Laurent Noël
Chemin de Borde Rouge - BP 52627 - 31326 Castanet-Tolosan
Tel.: 05 61 28 50 55

 

Centre de Recherche sur la Biodiversité et l'Environnement
(merge of EDB and LEFE, 01/01/2024)
UMR CNRS / UT3 / IRD / INP 5300 (160 personnes)
Directeur : Régis Céréginho
Bâtiment 4R1 Université Paul Sabatier
118, route de Narbonne - 31062 Toulouse cedex 9
Tel.: 05.61.55.73.84

 

Laboratoire de Recherche en Sciences Végétales
UMR UPS / CNRS 5546
90 people/ Director: Bernard Dumas
Pôle de Biotechnologies Végétales
24, chemin de Borde Rouge
B.P. 42617 Auzeville - 31326 Castanet-Tolosan
Tel.: 05 34 32 38 01

 

Station d'Ecologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis
UPR 2001 CNRS
60 people / Director: Camille Parmesan
Station d’Écologie Théorique et Expérimentale de Moulis
2 route du CNRS - 09200 Moulis
Tel.: 05 61 04 03 60

 

Laboratoire Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements
UMR CNRS / UPVD / Ifremer / UM 5244
60 people / Director: Christoph Grunau
58, Avenue P. Alduy - 66860 Perpignan
Tel.: 04 68 66 20 50

 

Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes
UMR CNRS / UPVD 5096
45 people / Director: Olivier Panaud
58, Avenue P. Alduy - 66860 Perpignan
Tel.: 04 68 66 21 19

-Q: What are the research institutions associated with TULIP and the TULIP laboratories ?

-Q: What is the goal of the TULIP Graduate School ? The TULIP Graduate School (TULIP-GS) is the educational extension of the TULIP LabEx. Its objective is to train students at the interface between ecology, evolution and functional biology, using methods and concepts letting understand and predict how living organisms are affected by changes in their environment (biotic or abiotic, including global climate changes) and adapt to these changes.

-Q: What is the educational project of the TULIP Graduate School ? The TULIP Graduate School aims to develop student autonomy through research-based learning methods. Students integrated into the TULIP Master program will conduct interdisciplinary projects, at the interface between functional biology and ecology/evolution, totally immersed in TULIP research laboratories located in the Occitanie region (Toulouse, Perpignan and Moulis). The detailed program is indicated in the "Master" section of the site.

-Q: What is the FBE Master ? The Functional Biology & Ecology Master's degree is a 2-year program aimed at training future engineers and managers of scientific projects in the fields of plant breeding, plant protection, environmental impact studies, ecosystems and biodiversity, and pollution control. The Master also aims to train future teachers and academic researchers, in public or private research, in national and international institutions.

-Q: What background do I need to integrate the FBE Master program ? All students (trained in French or foreign universities, engineering schools, etc.) having a French Licence, a foreign bachelor’s degree or an equivalent are invited to apply to integrate the first year of the FBE Master program. Students who have already completed the first year of another French or foreign Master program can apply to directly integrate the FBE Master program in its second year.

 -Q: How can I integrate the FBE Master? Each year, the FBE Master's degree will recruit a maximum of 20 students for the first year of training (M1 students) and a maximum of 30 students for the second year of training (M2 students). A jury will select the students in the first and second year of the master's degree according to their academic excellence and their motivation to work at the interface between functional biology and evolutionary ecology.

-Q: What will be the student selection procedure to integrate the TULIP-GS Master ? A jury will select the first and second-year students of the master's degree based on their academic excellence and their motivation to work at the interface between functional biology and evolutionary ecology.

-Q: In which university will I have to register to study at the TULIP Graduate School ? At Paul Sabatier University.

-Q: How much are the registration fees for the Master? Registration is around 300 € per year.

-Q: While doing my master, will it be possible to do my internship in a laboratory abroad ? Yes, if you apply to the "Master Mobility Packages" call for offers and if your candidacy is selected by the TULIP-GS jury. This Master Mobility Package will finance your travel and stay expenses linked to your mobility.

-Q: In which language will the lessons be given ? Training and assessment will be conducted entirely in English by international professors and researchers from different disciplines, in addition to members of the TULIP community.

-Q: Which university will issue my master's degree ? Toulouse III Paul Sabatier University and Perpignan Via Domitia University.

-Q: Where can I find a description of the Master courses? All the information for the 1st and 2nd year is indicated on the website: "Details of the M1 and M2 program".

-Q : What scientific reference works should I consult before my arrival in Master 1 FBE ? Here is a non-exhaustive list of books you should read to catch up in ecology and functional biology:

Natural Systems: the Organisation of life
Author: Markus Eichhorn
Ed: Wiley-Blackwell
Year: 2016

The Tangled Bank: an Introduction to Evolution
Author: Carl Zimmer
Ed: Roberts & Company Publishers
Year: 2009

Molecular Biology of the cell, 5th edition
Author: Bruce Alberts
Ed: Garland Science
Year: 2008

Biology of Plants, 8th edition
Authors: Peter Raven, Ray F. Evert, Susan E. Eichhorn
Year: 2012

-Q: In which laboratory will the training take place ? Students will be required to work on interdisciplinary projects within the TULIP research laboratories located in the Occitanie region (Toulouse, Perpignan and Moulis). Travels between laboratories will be financed by the TULIP Graduate School.

-Q: Who is responsible for organizing travels between the different laboratories ? The trips between the different sites (Toulouse, Perpignan and Moulis) will be organized and financed by the TULIP Graduate School. Each new M1 student will be sponsored by an M2 student to facilitate its integration.

-Q: Because of the many travels between Toulouse, Perpignan and Le Moulis during the Integration Week and the Guided Tour, how and where will I live ? During the trips of the first 8 weeks of the M1, accomodation will be fully covered by TULIP-GS for every students who will need it. This will give you time to find a long-term accomodation for the rest of your student's year either you will be in Toulouse, nor in Perpignan as you complete the Junior Lab module.

-Q: What are the professional activity sectors related to the FBE Master ? The professional activity sectors offered to the FBE graduate students are varied and concern basic research in biology, agriculture, forestry and fishing, environmental management, waste remediation, private companies and public administration.

-Q: What about student evaluations ? The evaluations will be done in English (written and oral exams, personal work and teamwork) by international professors and researchers from different disciplines, in addition to members of the TULIP community.

-Q: What is the cost of living in France ? It is approximately 900€ per month for housing, transportation and food.

-Q: Does the TULIP Graduate School provide financial support during the master ? Yes, a financial support is granted to each student.

  • To French students and international students from a French university: in Master 1, about 3000 € per year and in Master 2, about 4000 € per year.
  • To international students from a foreign university: in Master 1, about 8000 € per year and in Master 2, about 6000 € per year, to contribute to their relocation fees.

Before arrival, students can also ask their home university or embassy to apply for additional funding (e.g. scholarships, etc.)

-Q: What job after graduating ? Engineer or scientific project manager (mainly in plant breeding, plant protection, plant production, environmental impact studies, ecosystems and biodiversity, pollution control), scientific advisor, teachers / researchers in scientific and technical organizations and institutions, public or private, national or international.

-Q: How can I register ? By emailing your application, in English, to the addresses listed below, in a document compiled in a PDF format containing:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (2 pages maximum);
  • A Cover Letter (2 pages maximum): a motivation letter describing your skills and knowledge in relation with the Master's degree, your research interests as well (2 pages maximum);
  • University results since High School: Undergraduate (Bachelor) and Postgraduate (Master's first year) (Non-European Credits System) or Licence and Master 1 (European Credits System) academic marks, grades and distinctions from your home University (in French or in English);
  • A description of the previously followed University courses that support your application: A short description of key courses attended in previous University programmes in order to assess the nature and level of acquired knowledge relevant to this programme (in French or in English);
  • A recommendation letter from a past internship supervisor or from an academic faculty member;
  • A proof of English proficiency for a non-native English candidate (interview, TOEIC> 750 or TOEFL iBT> 85 or IELTS> 6.5)

-Q: Who can I contact  to learn more about the TULIP Graduate School?

TULIP Graduate School: Phone. +33 7 64 54 13 99

-Q: What will be the administrative procedures from abroad to prepare for my arrival in France if I am selected by the TULIP-GS jury ? Candidates selected to integrate the FBE Master will benefit from the services of the Federal University of Toulouse (Welcome Desk and Toul'Box). Service reserved for students residing outside France and Europe

  • TULIP Graduate School offers to selected students the ToulB'Box "ALL-IN Pack" Pack. It includes the opening of a bank account, a public transport card, a SIM card, temporary accommodation solutions, accommodation reservation, assistance to set up electricity or gas services and home insurance for your apartment, general assistance with formalities - Rental deposit, and a guided tour of Toulouse.
  • You can also contact the International Relations Department of the University Paul Sabatier Toulouse III.

-Q: Would I be helped when I arrived in M1 ? Each new M1 student will be sponsored by an M2 student to facilitate its integration.

-Q: How to get from Toulouse to Perpignan ?

  • By car: 2h (200 km) via A61 and D117 motorways or 2h30 by train. Maps

-Q: Is Toulouse far from Paris? How do I get there ?

  • By car 6.30 hrs (678.0 km) via A20 or 5 hrs by train. → Maps

-Q: What to do in Toulouse ? The atmosphere in the Pink City is simple and friendly: we like to stroll in the market or the shops, drink a café outside and, of course, put our feet up. It is very easy to get around by bike, metro, tram and bus. Finally, in order not to miss any of the city's cultural richness, you have to open the door of one of its museums and discover the remarkable collections of classical and medieval art, or even contemporary works.

  • The unavoidables: Toulouse owes its nickname "pink city" for its bricks. Described as a “fairground”, those bricks have perpetuated an ancient heritage until today. It dresses up the facades in warm colours, from the softest pink to flamboyant orange: Le Capitole, Saint-Sernin basilica, The Canal du Midi, The edges of Garonne.
  • 1h15 from the nearest beach in summer, and 1h30 from the first mountain resort: summer and winter, a multitude of possibilities to enjoy the great outdoors!

Useful links Toulouse:

-Q: What to do in Perpignan ? Perpignan is rich in its cultural identity, its heritage labelled "City of Art and History" and "20th Century Heritage". You will be charmed by the flavors, scents and colors of our unique and endearing terroir. It is through contact with its history, its inhabitants, its merchants, its restaurateurs, that Perpignan will reveal all its riches to you.

  • The city is framed to the south by the Pyrenees, to the west by the Corbières region, to the east by the Mediterranean Sea. The town is located 13 km from the Mediterranean Sea (Canet-en-Roussillon) by expressway, 25 km from the Spanish border (Le Perthus) and 85 km from the nearest ski area (Espace Cambre d'Aze, Approx. 2,400 m). It is the southernmost of the large cities in mainland France. Perpignan is 850 km from Paris, 205 km from the administrative capital of the region, Toulouse.
  • The unavoidables: The Citadel, the historic centre, the Castillet, the Sea Lodge, the Palace of the Kings of Majorca, the Palace of the Deputation, the Hyacinthe-Rigaud Museum.
  • Getting around the city of Perpignan: The Sankéo network buses allow you to travel in Perpignan as well as all the villages belonging to "Perpignan Méditerranée Communauté d'Agglomeration". All timetables, plans and prices are available on Sankéo's website.

Useful links Perpignan :