OPEN COMPETITIONS CR-2024-ECOSOCIO-1

Junior Research Scientist in environmental sociology

33612 CESTAS

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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 1st 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 11th 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

The ETTIS (Environment, Territories in Transition, Infrastructures, Societies) research unit federates expertise in economics, sociology, geography, agronomy, political science, statistics, mathematics and engineering to study socio-ecological transition pathways in the context of global change and the associated issues of justice. The unit's scientific project is structured around 3 research axes: Axis 1: Interdependencies and inequalities in tension; Axis 2: Production practices and spaces in transition; Axis 3: Performance and quality of services in the context of global change.
ETTIS involves 40 tenured scientists (researchers and engineers) and around ten doctoral students. You will examine how agricultural practices and jobs are changing in the light of structural changes and societal expectations about the environment and quality of life. What are the consequences in terms of professional autonomy and employability? You could then focus more specifically on these effects within conventional or ecologised agriculture; on the profiles of farmers and farm workers; on their attitudes to the ecological and health concerns raised by collective mobilisation and environmental public action; and finally on social and environmental inequalities (access to land, resources, social security cover, etc.).
How does the promotion of alternative production models affect these inequalities between agricultural workers? Using quantitative and/or qualitative methods, you will study these issues in metropolitan and overseas France, or in other regional or national contexts that you consider relevant for comparison. You will contribute to the development of research programs and the valorisation of the acquired results and will participate in training through research through the regular supervision of internships, doctoral and post-doctoral work. You will mainly contribute to Axis 2 of the ETTIS scientific project focusing on changes in practices and productive models in transition, as well as to Axis 1 on interdependencies and inequalities in tensions.
You will benefit from cooperative research and teaching relationships with the Centre Emile Durkheim (UMR 5116) and, more broadly, with the University of Bordeaux as part of the Changes department. You will also be able to join regional, national (SHS Pesticides, GERDAL, etc.) and international scientific networks (EJJE: Environmental Justice), which are co-coordinated by members of the research unit.

Training and skills

PhD or equivalent

Competition open to holders of a doctorate or equivalent.
You will be able to mobilize your skills in environmental sociology, with a research capacity in agricultural practices and environmental public policies, as well as an ability to work in interdisciplinary social sciences.
A strong interest in methodological innovation will be appreciated.
Fluency in English is desirable, as is long-term international experience. Candidates who have not yet acquired such experience will be required to spend a year of research abroad at the end of the placement year.

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

All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to its internal regulations, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear.  

Offer reference

  • Profile number: CR-2024-ECOSOCIO-1
  • Corps: CR
  • Category: A
  • Open competition number: 7
Living in France and working at INRAE Our guide for international scientists

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