Junior research scientist in soil sciences – (peri)urban soils

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) is a public research establishment under the dual authority of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Research.

INRAE is recruiting researchers by open competition and offering permanent position.

It is a major player in research and innovation created on 1^st of January 2020. INRAE is a research institute resulting from the merger of INRA and IRSTEA. It is a community of 12,000 people with more than 200 research units and 42 experimental units located throughout France.

The institute is among the world leaders in agricultural and food sciences, in plant and animal sciences, and is 11^th in the world in ecology and environment. INRAE’s main goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. In the face of the increase in population, climate change, scarcity of resources and decline in biodiversity, the institute develops solutions for multiperformance agriculture, high quality food and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems.

Work environment, missions and activities

You will join the Soil and Environment Laboratory (LSE) in Nancy, which is one of the few research units to have conducted work on soil-plant-organism interactions in (peri-)urban environments for over 25 years. This unit brings together expertise in geosciences applied to the environment, soil engineering, agronomic engineering, phytomanagement, and tools for taking into account soils in development strategies applied in particular to different forms of urban agriculture. The research carried out by the LSE calls for the development of treatment and recovery processes for highly anthropized soils to contribute to sustainable cities with a high level of ecosystem services. You will develop an integrative approach to (peri-)urban soils, the diversity of their uses, and the environmental issues they raise.

You will strengthen the acquisition, from the field, of biological, physical, and chemical characterization data of (peri-)urban soils and contribute to their insertion in national databases. You will select and analyze (peri-)urban soil quality indicators that can be translated into their capacity to perform functions and services. You will collaborate with other scientists to develop dynamic models of the evolution of certain properties of these soils, such as the carbon stock, the availability of nutrients, or the concentrations of bioavailable pollutants.

Driving license recommended because of the need to travel to study sites.

Training and skills

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent.
In-depth skills in geosciences and ideally in soil science disciplines are highly recommended. Knowledge of pedology would be particularly appreciated, as well as sound experience in field approaches.
Candidates should have a good command of English (both written and spoken), and long-term international experience would also be desirable. Successful candidates who have not yet acquired this experience abroad will be required to do so after their probationary period (1st year).

Discover your future job on video

[in French]

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from:

- 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

For international scientists: please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.