Data Science Engineer: Modeling the Effect of Farming Practices on Animal Product Quality

Back to jobs listing

INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the 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. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

You will be welcomed into the BOA (Biology of Birds and Poultry Farming) joint research unit, specifically within the MOQA team (Bird Metabolism, Quality, and Adaptation), located in Nouzilly, 25 km from Tours. Under the supervision of Dr. Cécile Berri, research director, you will collaborate locally with two engineers from the Technical Institute of Poultry Farming, specialized in data analysis and modeling, as well as with researchers from the Herbivores joint research unit (UMRH), specialists in cattle farming.

The BOA unit conducts research on the biology of farmed birds, from the molecular level to the animal in its environment. Its goal is to generate knowledge in physiology, nutrition, and genetics while contributing to the agroecological transition of farming systems, in line with environmental challenges, animal welfare, and product quality.

The MOQA team, consisting of 15 members, explores ways to enhance poultry adaptability to improve their health, well-being, and meat quality. It coordinates with UMRH the European H2020 INTAQT project (2021-2026), which aims to model the interactions between farming practices and the nutritional, sensory, and sanitary qualities of three products: chicken, beef, and milk. The first phase of the project enabled the collection of a large number of meat and milk samples from a vast network of European farms, representative of different agricultural systems, whether extensive or intensive. These products were characterized based on a wide range of quality indicators, while the farming practices of the originating farms were studied, taking into account their environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Within the INTAQT project, you will be specifically responsible for:

• The statistical analysis and modeling of the relationships between farming practices and the various dimensions of product quality.
• The development of an application for industry professionals, enabling the prediction of different quality dimensions (sensory, nutritional, sanitary) based on changes in farming practices, using the established models.

Telecommuting is possible for up to two days per week. You will collaborate with other laboratories involved in the European project and may be required to travel within France or Europe for work meetings or conferences.

Training and skills

Recommended education : Engineering degree or PhD in data science or agricultural sciences.

Connaissances souhaitées : Data analysis, modeling, machine learning, languages: R, Python.

Appreciated experience : An experience in the field of agronomy or food science would be a plus.

Desired skills:

• Autonomy, organizational skills, thoroughness
• Interpersonal skills & enjoyment of teamwork
• Oral and written communication skills
• Good command of scientific English

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 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.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter