Assistant Engineer in Behavioural and Chemical Ecology

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

Context:
The ARDECO project, funded under the Strategic Action Plan for Anticipating the Potential European Withdrawal of Active Substances and for the Development of Alternative Crop Protection Techniques (PARSADA), aims to structure and equip French research in chemical ecology, in order to accelerate the development of biocontrol solutions against insect crop pests. The objective is to identify, characterise, and validate volatile organic compounds (pheromones, kairomones) that modulate the behavior of agricultural pests. As part of this effort, INRAE is hiring an Assistant Engineer to support behavioural and chemical ecology experiments involving insect species targeted by the project.

 

Missions:

As a member of the iEES-Paris laboratory, you will contribute to:

• Conducting behavioural assays to test insect responses to volatile organic compounds (e.g., pheromones, kairomones)
• Performing volatile collections from plants and insects for chemical analyses
• Ensuring precise data collection and analysis of experiments, rigorous documentation, discussing results with colleagues, and preparing reports on the obtained results
• Participating in insect rearing and maintaining colonies under controlled laboratory conditions

 

We offer:

 

• A direct role in a national strategic project, bringing together academic research, technical institutes, and private sector actors (see https://iees-paris.fr/lancement-du-projet-parsada-ardeco/)
• A high-level research environment at the crossroads of functional genomics, neurophysiology, and applied ecology in a well recognised international and inclusive team
• Opportunities for skills development and contract extension depending on project progression

 

Training and skills

Profile sought:

• Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in Biology, Behavioural Ecology; specialisation in Chemical Ecology is appreciated
• Interest in working with live insects; prior hands-on experience is advantageous but not essential
• High standards of precision, reliability, and organisational skills
• Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team and to communicate effectively
• Proficient command of English, both written and spoken

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