Junior research scientist on soil erosion

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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

You will develop your research within the Info&Sols Unit, whose collective scientific project concerns the analysis of the state and functioning of soils and the assessment of soil quality/health. Your main objective will be to propose an integrated assessment of soil erosion through its various components: hydric, wind, arterial, and harvesting erosion, for areas of varying size (catchment area, region, country). 

You will apply your work to the quantification of transfers of particles of interest (organic carbon, silt, for example) and contaminating particles (micro- and nano-pollutants, possibly including emerging pollutants). You will also propose soil erosion mitigation strategies in a changing context, in particular by assessing the impact of changes in use and/or agricultural practices. 

Within the unit, you will be supported by researchers and engineers working on soil function indicators, long-term changes in soil properties, soil structure dynamics, and soil erosion processes. More generally, you will be able to benefit from the Unit's skills in pedology, experimentation, statistics and geostatistics for spatial information, and spatial modelling. You will have access to the national databases on soils and their properties managed by the unit.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a doctorate (or equivalent). A PhD in soil physics or the general field of physics (for example fluid mechanics or continuum mechanics) and a strong taste for environmental science is recommended. Advanced skills in modelling and the ability to process large scale data sets (use of national databases) are also recommended. A taste for experimentation, required to further investigate some processes, would also 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).

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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-8
3. I apply GO