Junior research scientist in animal breeding for the resilience of livestock systems

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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 Animal Genetics and Integrative Biology joint research unit (GABI, 115 permanent staff), which is also part of Paris-Saclay University. Its research aims to understand and promote the genetic diversity of livestock to strengthen the resilience of livestock systems in the face of environmental and societal challenges as part of the agroecological transition. 

You will develop your work within the GUPPIE team (Useful Genetics for Fish and Insects in AgroEcology), which carries out work on the genetic improvement of populations of animals raised in large groups and the selection of genetically robust and efficient animals in varied environments. 

Faced with the double challenge represented by climate change and the need for a rapid agroecological transition of livestock farming, the team focuses its research on two major themes:
(1) the genetics of new complex traits with a view to their integration into breeding programmes,
(2) the development of mathematical models to design selection plans that promote the agroecological transition and the resilience of livestock systems.

You will strengthen the modelling skills of the unit and the team in connection with the “management of populations in selection” theme of this second component, to address the major challenge of improving livestock resilience.
The scientific obstacle that you will help to overcome concerns the design of innovative genetic improvement strategies aimed at reducing competition and promoting cooperative behaviour between animals raised in large groups, as it is the case with fish and insects. You will develop original mathematical approaches allowing multiple interactions to be accounted for in the assessment of livestock resilience. The relevance of the modelling of these interactions will be evaluated by the experimental and quantitative study of social behaviours in order to better understand their favourable effects on the resilience of livestock farms. You will draw on the collaboration networks already established by the team with academic partners in mathematics, selection methodology, and ethology, and with professional partners in the sectors and you will develop these networks at national and international levels.
Depending on your personal interests and initial knowledge, you will invest in a first model (for example fish) and in the medium term carry out work on the other model (for example insect). The diversity of animal models will allow you to test the genericity of the proposed strategies, and if necessary to study avenues for their evolution. In the longer term, more generic modelling work could be carried out by considering other animal models (poultry, small ruminants) in collaboration with the teams working on these species in the Animal Genetics Division. 

The main objective will therefore be to propose selection strategies that promote cooperation between individuals raised in large groups. Programmes for simulating populations in selection, involving interactions between individuals in individual-centred or multi-agent models, will need to be developed. To evaluate the operational interest of the proposed strategies, you will be able to work on commercial populations to quantify the responses to selection and compare them to the responses obtained with conventional selection strategies. 

Secondly, you will evaluate the relevance of the strategies developed through the observation of social behaviour, for example. You will then design relevant experimental plans to understand and evaluate the underlying biological phenomena and specify those which are favourable to the performance and resilience of livestock, in collaboration with specialists in the processes studied.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent). A PhD (or equivalent) in Statistical Genetics (population genetics or quantitative genetics), Applied Mathematics or Quantitative Ethology would be highly recommended. A strong interest in the modelling and optimization of biological processes on a population scale would also be appreciated. Experience in designing selection plans or quantitative ethology would be a plus. A good ability to develop a diverse network is recommended. 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-GA-3
3. I apply GO