Research engineer : Genetic of resilience ans social networks in hens

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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

You will join the GENUTS team (Genetics, Nutrition, Systems), in the BOA Joint Research Unit (Avian Biology & Poultry Research) located in Nouzilly (25 km from Tours), under the supervision of Dr J. Collet. You will also collaborate with Dr N. Bédère in the unit PEGASE (Physiology, Environemnt and genetics for Livestock and rearing systems) based in Saint-Gilles (Britany).

The BOA unit conducts research on farmed birds, from the molecular level to the animal in its environment. The unit aims to generate knowledge in physiology, nutrition and genetics, and to contribute to the agroecological transition of farming systems (environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and product quality). The GENUTS team (20 collaborators) focuses on both nutrition and genetics to improve poultry farming systems.

Your work will be part of the European EUPAHW project HenCare (Hen Emotional Needs – Comprehensive assessment and Resilience Enhancement) coordinated by the University of Newcastle, in in collaboration with KU Leuven, the University of Bern, and Hendrix genetics. The project aims to identify predictors and behavioural indicators of long-term emotional states in laying hens, as well as their genetic bases.

More specifically, your missions will include:

• Conduct quantitative genetic analyses of behavioural, physiological, and neurobiological data (heritability, genetic correlations, GWAS)
• Set up and interpret social networks data from hen behaviour, and test whether social network position predicts resilience.

Possibility of remote work (maximum of 100 days/year)

Training and skills

Required training: PhD in animal sciences or data sciences

Required knowledge:

• Data analysis with R and/ or Python
• Quantitative genetics and/ or social network analysis

Required skills:

• Autonomy, organisational skills, rigour
• Strong oral & written communication skills
• Excellent scientific English

Preferred skills and knowledge

• Proficiency in French

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