Postdoc in ecology

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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

The postdoctoral researcher will be assigned to Silva Joint Research Unit and more specifically to the EcoSILVA team that studies the ecology of little anthropized forests and ecosystems. The postdoctoral researcher will have an office at AgroParisTech Nancy, which has been the National School of Water Resources and Forestry since 1824. There, the postdoctoral researcher will be expected to collaborate with Sébastien Albert, lecturer at APT who initiated the PARTNER project with Sonia Saïd (OFB, Birieux). 

Project PARTNER: Unravelling the role of wild ungulates in the regeneration of West European forests using plant traits (anti-herbivory, seed dispersal) 

PROJECT CONTEXT AND TOPICS 

Ungulates have played a crucial role in continental ecosystems for tens of millions of years, particularly through herbivory (work package 1) and seed dispersal (work package 2) interactions. (WP1) Since the banishment of domestic ungulates in the 19th century, forestry has studied tree regeneration within an ecological theatre often reduced to abiotic factors and competition for light. Since the end of the 20th century, regeneration methods have frequently been compromised by chronic and heavy browsing following the striking increase in abundance of wild ungulates. Attention has recently focused on the facilitating effects of blackberries on the regeneration of production forests, but the potentially facilitating role of the structural defences of multiple spiny species remains poorly understood. Studies showing strong associational resistance in protected woodpastures invite us to test this hypothesis for the first time using large scale regeneration data. (WP2) Ungulates are documented seed dispersers of many plants, but they are generally considered to be ineffective dispersers of endozoochorous plants in temperate Europe. However, recent studies have shown that ruminant ungulates can effectively disperse many fleshy-fruited plants through regurgitation, in both tropical and temperate environments, but this cannot be demonstrated by traditional studies of faeces and stomach contents. Thus, we need field experiments to investigate seed dispersal by ruminants spitting from the cud in temperate Europe. In addition, observational studies might reveal a link between population size dynamics of ruminants and the regeneration probability of endozoochorous woody plants dispersed by regurgitation, which has never been studied on a large spatial scale. 

MAIN MISSIONS AND ACTIVITIES 

Fieldwork (WP2) 
● Primary mission: seed dispersal field experiment focusing on 1 or 2 fleshy-fruited woody species and roe deer 
o monitoring of focal plant phenology
o monitoring of frugivory interactions 
o monitoring of spat seeds and their fate where deer lay down 

● Secondary mission: experiment to compare the germination dynamics of unconsumed seeds versus regurgitated seeds of focal plant species 

Data Analysis and Scientific Writing 
Each point could ideally be the subject of a publication. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to publish at least two papers in international journals. 
● WP1 
o Primary mission: statistical modelling of regeneration probability of most tree species using national forest inventory, plant defense traits and hunting statistics 
o Secondary mission: development of a palatability scale of woody species using literature review 

● WP2 
o Primary mission: analysis of seed dispersal field experiment data 
o Secondary mission: analysis of germination experiment data 
o Tertiary mission: statistical modelling of regeneration probability of focal woody species using national forest inventory data, seed dispersal syndromes and hunting statistics

The postdoctoral researcher will regularly go into the field, primarily in the context of WP2. The fieldwork will take place in forests owned by AgroParisTech in the vicinity of Nancy. These forests are located in different soil conditions, namely limestone plateau and clay-loam plain, enabling the study of a wide range of woody species. The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to participate in work and action-research meetings with project partners, notably Sonia Saïd (OFB, Birieux), Christophe Baltzinger (INRAE, Nogent-surVernisson) & Jean-Luc Dupouey (INRAE, Champenoux). Participation in at least one international conference is also expected, in addition to local seminars.

CONTRACT DETAILS 
● JOB STATUS: FULL TIME / HOURS PER WEEK: 35 
● APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31/08/2025 
● ENVISAGED STARTING DATE: 01/12/2025 
● ENVISAGED DURATION: 24 months 
● SALARY: 3136 - 3560€ gross per month according to the INRAE salary scale, commensurate with experience, plus benefits (including social insurance) 
● FUNDING: OFB-INRAE agreement https://www.ofb.gouv.fr/convention-cadre-ofb-inrae

Training and skills

Candidate profile

 ● PhD in Ecology 
● Early-career researchers (PhD obtained within the last 3 years) are welcome to apply 

Technical and professional Skills 
● Experience in field work is essential 
● Excellent proficiency in data analysis using R is essential 
● Demonstrated autonomy, curiosity, and initiative

 Soft skills 
● Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently 
● Ability to work as an essential member of a small team and to collaborate closely with a wide range of stakeholders: scientists, managers, and interns (Master’s and PhD students) 
● Capacity to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
● Good oral and written communication skills in both French and English 
● Strong scientific writing skills in English 
● Experience in data acquisition and processing 
● A valid driving license (B) is necessary

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

Applicants are invited to apply writing at sebastien.albert@agroparistech.fr, sonia.said@ofb.gouv.fr, christophe.baltzinger@inrae.fr, with the email subject “application_postdoc-PARTNER_Lastname” 
 

 Applicants are invited to send the following documents 
o A detailed CV & a list of publications including links to publications 
o A cover letter describing their motivation, digital and field skills, and relevant experience 
o One letter of recommendation is strongly encouraged