Postdoctoral Researcher in Ethology

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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.

You will be welcomed in the unit INRAE PRC – Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements, équipe CEB 37380 Nouzilly, FRANCE

Environment

The Cognition, Ethology, Animal Welfare team within the Physiology of Reproduction and Behavior laboratory has recognized expertise in the study of animal behavior and cognition. The laboratory hosts approximately 200 scientists, engineers, technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and students, offering a stimulating and friendly work environment. It is located 25-30 minutes from Tours and benefits from facilities enabling behavioral, physiological, and neurobiological studies across a wide range of species. Tours is a very pleasant, dynamic city with excellent transport links (TGV station) and offers a high quality of life and study environment in France.

Project

The postdoctoral researcher will be recruited as part of the ANR EMODOUR project, coordinated by Léa Lansade. This multidisciplinary project aims to understand how horses perceive human emotional odors and how these chemical signals influence their physiological and behavioral responses. It adopts an innovative approach at the interface of ethology, animal cognition, and olfactory science.

Work environment, missions and activities

 

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for the creation and implementation of the experiments on horses (behavioral tests, physiological measurements, video analyses), as well as for statistical analysis and the dissemination of the data. They will collaborate closely with the project’s partners (INRAE Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, University of Burgundy) and will actively contribute to the design and development of protocols combining olfaction, cognition, and emotion.

The position requires solid expertise in experimental ethology and statistical analysis, as well as a strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches (chemistry, psychology). Particular attention will be given to the candidate’s ability to promote the results (scientific publications), including from the project's initial data.

¡ You will be in charge of:

• Implementation of protocols with horses
• Data analysis
• Writing of publications

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Training and skills

• Recommended training: … PhD in Ethology
• Knowledge required: … Animal Ethology; Animal Cognition; Animal Emotions
• Appreciated experience: … PhD in this field
• Skills sought: … Scientific writing (scientific articles), statistical analysis, handling of horses

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