Junior research scientist on the adaptation of grian legumes to agroecological cropping systems

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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

UMR Agroécologie develops research aimed at better understanding the importance of biodiversity and biotic interactions in agroecosystems, in order to design innovative agroecological cropping systems that respect the environment, are less dependent on chemical inputs and preserve the quality and quantity of crop production. Within the UMR, the work of the "Genetics and ecophysiology of plant adaptation to innovative cropping systems (GEAPSI)" group aims to contribute to the development of grain legume crops in Europe to promote the agro-ecological and food transitions. GEAPSI is a multi-disciplinary group, which develops approaches in plant genetics, genomics and ecophysiology.
Within the GEAPSI group, you will be part of the “Target protein crop” team, which develops genetic and genomic approaches for the varietal improvement of peas, faba beans and lentils in the context of agroecological cropping systems. You will develop a new research topic on the traits and genetic factors determining plant x plant interactions within single-variety, multi-variety and/or multi-specific stands. Understanding the complex interactions between the cultivated plant and its biotic and abiotic environment will require the development of quantitative genetics approaches without a priori (GWAS) as well as approaches targeted on candidate traits. Your research will strengthen the quantitative genetics approaches of the GEAPSI cluster and will support the genetic improvement programs of grain legume species, considering as new traits for selection the biotic interactions between protein crops and competing or companion plants.
For your work, you will be able to draw on the diversity of the large collections of genetic resources available within the Biological Resources Center of the UMR as well as on the use of the experimental farm of Epoisses, conducted in agroecology since 2018. You will interact with the agronomists, physiologists and ecologists of the UMR.

Training and skills

Candidates must have a PhD or equivalent.
Training in plant genetics and breeding is desired. Experience in the field of the genetics of complex traits will be an asset. Skills in statistics and bioinformatics, knowledge of plant physiology, functional ecology and/or agronomy and an interest in agro-ecological approaches and modelling will be appreciated.

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.