Junior research scientist in sociology of agricultural industries

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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 join IRISSO, a mixed research unit (UMR) that brings together researchers from Paris-Dauphine University, CNRS, and INRAE. The work of its members analyzes the effects of capitalism's transformations on societies and the regulatory mechanisms implemented by public and private organizations at national and international levels.
In a context where the transition of agri-food systems toward more sustainable models has become a global challenge, you will focus on how the dominant actors in these systems respond to this imperative while perpetuating the industrialization processes of agriculture. You will engage with international literature that discusses the continuity and/or renewal of processes referred to as intensification, integration, and standardization of production systems. While much of the existing literature remains focused on the role of processing and marketing in industrialization processes, your research will highlight the role of technical and economic actors who provide inputs and/or services to producers (industries of genetics, animal feed, chemical and pharmaceutical products, machinery, agricultural supplies, logistics, etc.). You will draw on approaches from economic sociology and Science and Technology Studies (STS) to understand, on the one hand, how major economic actors develop strategies in response to controversies surrounding their activities, particularly those related to transition issues, and on the other hand, the transformations these strategies induce in terms of market arrangements, technical infrastructures, and labor. Your work will shed light on how current transformations of agricultural capitalism renew phenomena such as technical dependence, value capture, and the destabilization of production models.
You will be affiliated with IRISSO's "Markets, Industries, Regulations, and Expertise" (MIRE) program, which brings together researchers interested in the controversies raised by commercial and industrial activities and the processes of defining and implementing the norms and mechanisms intended to address them.

Training and skills

A PhD (or equivalent) is required, preferably with a specialization in economic sociology or Science and Technology Studies (STS).
Solid experience in qualitative social science research is essential (interview-based research, archival work, ethnography, etc.). Knowledge of the agricultural or food industries would be an asset.
Strong writing and communication skills in English are desired, as well as international experience (stays abroad, presentations at international conferences, etc.).
Successful candidates who have not already had such experience will be required to spend a year abroad at the end of the probationary 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-ECOSOCIO-4
3. I apply GO