Tempory Position research officer on Bayesian network modelling of the interactions between wild ungulates and large-scale disturbances as multi-risk factors in forest socio-eco systems

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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 work at the Forest Ecosystems Research Unit (EFNO) of the INRAE Val de Loire Research Centre in Nogent-sur-Vernisson (Loiret), made up of 34 researchers, engineers and technicians. You will participate to the research program called X-RISKS (Analysis and Management of Multiple Risks in Forest Social-ecological systems) that is financed by the PEPR-FORESTT national research program (2024-2030, https://www.pepr-forestt.org/). The X-RISKS project focuses on the analysis and management of multiple risks in forest social-ecological systems. One part of the X-RISKS project is to work on the conceptual framework for applying multi-risk approaches on empirical forest systems. Your work will contribute to a common understanding and stable definition of multi-risk approaches by implementing a Bayesian network model of multiple risks in forest socio-ecosystems. The focus of your work will be to model several risk factors related to forest management, with a particular attention on wild ungulates, large-scale disturbances (e.g. storm events, fire, insect outbreaks) and their possible interactions.

The tempory position will be supervised by Anders Mårell (INRAE-EFNO, Nogent-sur-Vernisson) and Lionel Hertzog (IGN-LIF, Nancy). The LIF research team works with the French National Forest Inventory data and develops research for monitoring climate change impacts on forests but also on remote sensing for multisource forest inventories. The tempory position will benefit from interactions with other researchers within the X-RISKS research project: Nicolas Eckert (INRAE-IGE, Grenoble), Eric Rigolot (INRAE-URFM, Avignon), François Pimont (INRAE-URFM, Avignon), Sylvain Dupire (INRAE-LESSEM, Grenoble), Denis Allard (INRAE-BioSP, Avignon).

You will be in charge of:

• Elaborating and implementing a Bayesian network model of two or more interacting risks factors in forest management.
• Apply the model using a case-study approach (one or two French regional case studies).
• Contribute with conceptual ideas about multi-risk assessments.
• Organize meetings to interact with other researchers of the X-RISKS project in order to build the model, and later on to exchange about the model with stakeholders associated with the X-RISKS project.

Training and skills

• Recommended training : She/he holds a PhD in Bayesian network modelling.
• Knowledge required : She/he is expected to have a good data management and programming skills. A robust scientific background in Bayesian modelling or multi-risk assessments. Excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English.
• Appreciated experience : Familiar with programming in R. We expect a candidate with a solid track record of publications in relevant journals.
• Skills sought : Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work in teams.

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