Junior research scientist in sustainable genetic management of ruminant populations

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player globally in research and innovation. Gathering a community of 12,000 people with 272 units including fundamental and experimental research, spread out throughout 18 regional centres in France.

Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment.  

Faced with a growing world population, climate change, the depletion of resources and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in providing the knowledge base supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions, to address the major global challenges.

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

Work environment, missions and activities

You will join the INRAE/AgroParisTech joint research unit on Animal Genetics and Integrative Biology (GABI, 115 permanent staff), which is also part of Paris-Saclay University. Its research aims to understand and exploit the genetic diversity of farm animals to enhance the resilience of farming systems in the face of environmental and societal challenges in the context of the agroecological transition. The unit works closely with professional livestock organisations, biological resource centres, technology platforms, and experimental units.

You will join the Genetics for Bovine Sustainability (GBoS) team, whose work focuses on
(1) developing population management tools, including genomic selection;
(2) characterising the genetic variability of phenotypes for various traits (health, robustness, efficiency, environmental impact, product quality); 
(3) studying the structure, dynamics and function of the genome. 

To this end, it has access to data from the National Zootechnical Database. 

Environmental (climate change), social, and economic developments will have a profound impact on livestock production in the medium term. Ruminant populations, especially cattle, will need to evolve to adapt to these global changes. Your research project will aim to develop theoretical approaches to quantitative genetics that will enable the evolutionary trajectories of these populations to be managed effectively in this context.

You will actively contribute to overcoming the following scientific hurdles: - Management of gene-environment interactions: you will identify and quantify genotype x environment interactions. Using the extensive data available and simulations, you will explore different scenarios for innovative strategies to integrate these interactions into selection programmes, ranging from the targeted use of environment-dependent reproducers to the full integration of these interactions into selection. - Anticipating future breeding: you will model selection trajectories to prepare cattle populations for future agroecological conditions (over the next 15-30 years), based in particular on different agricultural forecasting scenarios. You will adapt selection objectives to incorporate new traits, in particular resilience and adaptation, in the context of system diversification (organic farming, grass-fed systems, etc.) to ensure the sustainability of livestock farming in more constrained environments. You will also optimize selection programmes and population structure, including through crossbreeding.

To carry out your research, you will benefit from a dynamic scientific environment within a unit that is internationally recognised for its animal genetics research, as well as unique resources such as large databases and technical infrastructures. You will benefit from the numerous collaborative networks already established by the team with academic partners in genetics, genomics, and selection methodology, and with professional partners in the cattle breeding field, and you will develop these networks nationally and internationally.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). A PhD (or equivalent) in Quantitative Genetics, Statistical Genetics or Population Genetics would be highly desirable, as well as a strong interest in selection modelling and its applications to the sustainability of breeding systems.
Experience in designing selection programmes and knowledge of the cattle sector would be appreciated. Good knowledge of statistical and bioinformatics tools to work with very large datasets is recommended. You enjoy working in a team and developing a wide range of academic and partnership networks.
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).

Let’s talk about your future job in a video!

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-GA-1
3. I apply GO