Junior research scientist in placental function

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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

The Biology of Reproduction, Epigenetics, Environment and Development (BREED) joint research unit, located on the Jouy-en-Josas site near Paris, conducts research into embryonic and foetal development using physiological, genomic and epigenetic approaches, as well as adaptation during this period to environmental changes and its short- and long-term effects in mammals. Its aim is to understand and control the mechanisms leading to the birth of a healthy, fertile individual. Within this unit, you will join the ‘PROGENIE’ team, made up of around fifteen permanent staff from INRAE, the Université Saint Quentin en Yvelines and the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, working on the role of the placenta in establishing the phenotypes of offspring, in relation to periconceptional and/or gestational disturbances in the maternal environment. You will interact with the other teams in the unit and with foreign collaborators, in particular from the University of Florida.
Against a backdrop of climate disruption, which is likely to affect the health and performance of farm animals, the project aims to identify placental biomarkers detectable in maternal blood circulation that are predictive of the health trajectory of offspring in ruminants. The originality of the project lies in the fact that these biomarkers (hormones, non-coding RNA, extracellular vesicles) will be able to objectify the effects of heat stress and other disturbances on placental function. They will also enable us to assess the effectiveness of corrective levers to improve both foetomaternal exchanges and the health trajectory of ruminants after a phase of exposure.
Initially, you will study placental function in pregnant ewes, exposed or not to heat stress, in order to identify early indicators of placental dysfunction and those detectable in the maternal circulation. In vitro studies using placental explants will enable you to refine your knowledge of the profiles of secreted molecules and vesicles.
Secondly, you will assess the relevance of the biomarkers of disruption that you have selected for predicting the growth trajectory of offspring and their fertility.
In the longer term, you will be able to test corrective levers by targeting deregulated placental mechanisms and measuring the effectiveness of corrective measures using previously validated biomarkers. You could also look at other environmental disturbances linked to climate change. The knowledge generated on the effects of the maternal environment during foeto-placental development and the long-term consequences will make it possible to develop recommendations for strengthening the robustness of farmed ruminants throughout their lives and improving their health in the face of climate change.

Training and skills

Proven skills in animal physiology, particularly in the field of reproduction, are required, as well as solid knowledge of bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput data.
Experience in the field of non-coding RNAs and microvesicles is an advantage. The ability to work well in a team is essential. If you have not already done so, you will need to undergo training to enable you to conduct experiments on animals.
Fluency in English is a prerequisite, as is long-term international experience: successful candidates who have not already had such experience will be required to complete a period of study abroad at the end of the placement 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-PHASE-5
3. I apply GO