Junior research scientist on ecophysiology of diversified horticultural 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 PSH unit seeks to improve the functionality and sustainability of fruit and vegetable production systems in a context of adapting to climatic constraints, preserving natural resources, reducing the use of pesticides, restoring biodiversity, and improving the nutritional and health quality of the products consumed. Within this unit, you will join the CQFD research theme, the aim of which is to understand the functioning of plants and their organs, fruit growth and quality, and plant defence under sub-optimal growth conditions. You will also interact closely with researchers from the MESH theme, whose aim is to develop methods, concepts, and evaluation criteria for multi-performance horticultural systems. Your objective will be to develop and use modelling to understand the functioning and sharing of resources in heterogeneous horticultural canopies with pronounced spatial structuring, typical of agroecological production contexts (mixtures of species or varieties, addition of service plants, photovoltaic cover, etc.). Modelling will be seen as a way of (i) aggregating knowledge at plant and plot level and (ii) helping to design complex horticultural systems in order to optimise the intra-plot spatial configuration of these crops and to rationalize their management by questioning the multiplicity of horticultural practices (fertilisation, irrigation, thinning, pruning, etc.). To do this, you will develop a crop model capable of representing all the ecophysiological processes (above and below ground) associated with the sharing of resources (competition or synergy for water, nitrogen, light) between plants and necessary for predicting production in its various dimensions (quantity, quality, variability). Furthermore, the model should facilitate the prediction of bundles of ecosystem services in horticultural plots, thus providing a valuable design aid. To ensure the accuracy of the model and to elucidate the underlying processes of resource sharing, a continuous feedback loop between modelling and experimentation is essential. You will be able to draw on existing plant models within the PSH unit, but also on other complementary experimental and modelling approaches developed by our partners. Your work will play a central role in meeting the major challenge of the agroecological transition of horticultural systems, with the aim of deploying your results for the benefit of the various players in the sector.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). A strong background in the use, development, and implementation of numerical models, ideally in the field of agronomy is recommended. You enjoy working in an interdisciplinary context and have previously demonstrated an ability to integrate knowledge from a variety of disciplines, of which ecophysiology, soil science, ecology and applied mathematics would be appreciated. The ability to interact with a diverse audience, including researchers, engineers and experts from technical institutes, experimental stations and chambers of agriculture would be appreciated. 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-AGROECOSYSTEM-7
3. I apply GO