Junior research scientist in relationships between microbial biodiversity and ecosystem functioning

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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 the DIVE-N (functional diversity and the nitrogen cycle) team within the Microbial Ecology Laboratory (LEM), and will work closely with the researchers/lecturer-researchers (1 research scientist, 2 research directors, 1 research engineer, 2 lecturer-researchers, 1 professor) and technical staff (3 assistant engineers). The profile falls within the structuring theme of the unit: 'Relationships between biodiversity, functioning and ecosystem services'. You will play an active role in the coordination of this area of research. You will be able to draw on datasets already available, data you will produce, and data provided by partners involved in the long-term monitoring of experimental sites (ANAEE, ACBB, ZA Lautaret...).
Biological processes, whether microbial or plant-based, occur on fine spatial and temporal scales, whereas the functioning of ecosystems requires larger scales to be taken into account. This is particularly significant when considering the processes leading to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at plot level. In this context, it is necessary to consider the existence of “hot spots” and “hot moments” of biological processes to capture the spatiotemporal variability of these fluxes. The LEM wishes to expand its expertise to understand the role of the biotic component in GHG flows and address the challenges of ecosystem resilience and adaptation to global change. In this context, you will work on grassland and forest systems using soil microorganisms responsible for GHG emissions as a model and drawing on the measurement of microbial activity, abundance, and diversity. You will develop research aimed at understanding the consequences of microbial and plant diversity on ecosystem functioning.
You will work on ecosystems studied by the DIVE-N team using as a model the microorganisms responsible for GHG fluxes, drawing on measurements of the activity, abundance, and diversity of the various functional groups involved. The aim of your research will be to analyze the role of microbial functional diversity in GHG fluxes and its consequences on ecosystem functioning, particularly in grassland systems subjected to varying management factors such as grazing intensity or nutrient availability. To achieve this, you will contribute to acquiring and analyzing biological data on microbial functional groups producing or consuming GHGs, plant functional traits, and flux data on relevant spatial and temporal scales.
You will develop a collaborative network, structuring interactions with local expertise and other INRAE sites nationwide, for example in terms of plant ecology or HSS, thus consolidating the Lyon site as a central hub for ECODIV on the relationships between functional biodiversity and ecosystem function, even ecosystem services.
The position draws on field experiments and datasets at existing long-term study sites (AnaEE France – ACBB, Lautaret, ICOS, IN-SYLVA France), instrumented or not for flux measurements. Instrumenting and monitoring of non-instrumented field sites will be possible using the static chamber system recently acquired by the DIVE-N team.

A driving licence is recommended as field trips will be required to conduct GHG measurements and take samples.

Training and skills

Competition open to candidates with a PhD (or equivalent).
A strong background (PhD or equivalent) in microbial and functional ecology, as well as experience in the acquisition and analysis of in situ GHG fluxes, is highly recommended. Experimental experience, from microcosms to field approaches, is desirable. Understanding (microbial and/or plant) diversity–ecosystem functioning relationships and the ability to link ecosystem functions with GHG fluxes are strong assets. Autonomy in writing and leading projects, mentoring ability, and capacity to establish internal collaborations within LEM and external collaborations at national and international levels are also expected.
Candidates should have a good command of English, 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).

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 Guide for applicants 2026 pdf - 1.41 MB
2. I write down the profile number CR26-ECODIV-4
3. I apply GO