Junior research scientist on the quality of products from dairy systems

Back to campaign's jobs listing

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 Herbivores Joint Research Unit, located on the Theix site in Saint-Genès-Champanelle near Clermont-Ferrand, conducts research on herbivores and their farming systems in order to optimise their performance in the face of climatic, environmental and socio-economic challenges, in particular by favouring grassland systems and applying the principles of agro-ecology. Within this unit, you will be part of the ‘PERAQ’ team (Livestock Practices, Robustness, Adaptation and Product Qualities), made up of 15 permanent staff from INRAE and Vetagro Sup, including 11 scientists. The team's multidisciplinary skills have enabled it to develop in-depth expertise in the multi-criteria assessment of ruminant milk and meat quality.

How can we produce milk and meat that is good for both consumers (pleasure for the senses, nutrition and health) and citizens (respect for the environment and the well-being of animals and farmers)?

This will be your research project, which will initially aim to develop new concepts and associated methods for characterising the overall quality of milk and meat from dairy herds. The originality of the project lies in the fact that both products, milk and meat, will be considered together, and that regulatory services (environment, well-being, biodiversity, etc.) will be included from the outset in the evaluation of the overall quality of the products. You will be able to draw on the databases and skills available in the unit to conduct a critical analysis of existing indicators and methods for assessing the various dimensions of the intrinsic (product-related) and extrinsic (production-related) qualities of milk and meat before processing. 

Secondly, you will analyse the synergies or antagonisms between the different dimensions of the intrinsic and extrinsic quality of these products, focusing initially on certain environmental impacts and animal welfare indicators.
In the longer term, you will develop new methods for multi-criteria evaluation of overall quality and use prediction models to identify the farming practices best suited to the various expectations of processors, consumers and the general public. The knowledge produced will form the basis of decision-making tools for the various players in the industry, and will contribute to initiatives aimed at providing consumers and the general public with synthetic indicators of product quality.

Training and skills

General knowledge of ruminant breeding systems and the quality of milk and/or meat products will be required. 
Skills in a systems approach, multi-criteria evaluation and statistical modelling are expected. 
A good ability to work in a team and interact with people from other disciplines will be essential. 
Fluency in English is highly desirable, as is long-term international experience: successful candidates who have not already had such experience will be required to undertake a period of study abroad at the end of the placement 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-PHASE-4
3. I apply GO