Junior research scientist on the uses of digital tools for agropastoral farming systems

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INRAE presentation

INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, is a public research organization bringing together 12,000 employees across 272 units in 18 centers across France. As the world’s leading institute specializing in agriculture, food, and the environment, INRAE plays a key role in supporting the necessary transitions to address global challenges.

Faced with population growth, food security challenges, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, INRAE is committed to developing scientific solutions and supporting the evolution of agricultural, food, and environmental practices.

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

Work environment, missions and activities

The mission of the Selmet joint research unit is to study the participation of family, pastoral, and mixed agriculture-livestock farming in the sustainable development of territories and food systems with regard to global and local issues.
Within this unit, you will join the ALTER research group (Alternative Livestock Management) whose members analyze the transformations of livestock systems to assist them in the agroecological transition and/or co-design livestock systems that address these issues.
You will work at the interface with the two other groups of the Selmet joint research unit, in particular with the ARE group (Animal Resources Environment) that designs and evaluates digital tools for agro-pastoral livestock farming. You will analyze the use of digital tools by breeders in a diversity of agro-pastoral systems. You will evaluate their impacts on these systems and on their multi-performance: zootechnical, economic, environmental, and social.
Your research will focus on agro-pastoral livestock systems that cover a wide range of structures and functioning due to their strong dependencies on the biophysical and socio-economic environments of the areas in which they operate. These situations generate complexity in the design, adaptation, and implementation of digital tools that are often standardized and dependent on industrial and urban infrastructures.
In addition, agro-pastoral livestock farmers are interested in using low-tech digital tools to combine efficiency and digital sobriety. You will study the resources that livestock farmers have access to thanks to these digital tools, as well as the methods that allow them to use these tools (environmental conditions, social networks, advisory services, etc.) and the consequences on the evolution of the systems.
To do this, you will use qualitative and quantitative analysis methods required to understand the functioning and dynamics of livestock systems. Based on these results, you will then develop co-design approaches for agro-pastoral livestock systems using digital tools to strengthen their resilience.
To do this, you will set up participatory research projects with breeders and other stakeholders involved in these co-design approaches.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). A PhD in animal science (or agronomy) with a systemic approach, or a PhD in human and social sciences (geography, management science, or sociology) associated with sound knowledge of breeding systems is recommended. Skills for the systemic analysis of livestock farming, integrating several levels of organization (herd, farm, territory, etc.), as well as good command of methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis of these systems would be highly appreciated.
Previous interdisciplinary work, as well as experience in participatory research with breeders and/or local stakeholders would be appreciated.
A good command of the French language is needed for communication and interactions with agricultural stakeholders. 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).

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. 

How to apply

1. I download the applicant guide Application guidelines CRCN 2025 pdf - 3.93 MB
2. I write down the profile number CR-2025-ACT-3
3. I apply GO