Postdoctoral position OT-28902
18-Month Post-Doc Offer : Community-based and participatory selection : The case of conservation and Selection of Creole breeds in Guadeloupe
97170 PETIT-BOURG
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 join the ASSET Research Unit (Agroecology, Genetics, and Tropical Livestock Systems - https://asset.antilles.hub.inrae.fr) at the INRAE Antilles-Guyane Center. You will contribute to the academic dissemination of the TAESA@Guadeloup project, specifically WP2 “Strengthening biodiversity with stakeholders and optimizing synergies”, building on the work of the KARIBIOKREYOL project (Gourdine et al., 2025). This research-intervention project aimed to secure the future of Creole breeds (poricne, caprine and bovine) – genetic resources threatened with abandonment in agriculture yet serving as pillars or the archipelago’s domestic biodiversity. Faced with the complexity of collectively managing these breeds, the project mobilised an innovative co-design approach (the KCP® method) grounded in C-K theory (Hatchuel & Weil, 2009) and successfully applied in collective management of agricultural resource (Labatut & Hooge, 2016). We had involved farmers, advisors, researchers and civil society. The objective was to identify biotechnical levers (genetics, agroecological practices) and sociotechnical levers to structure sustainable local initiatives. By combining on-farm trials with participatory workshops, the KARIBIOKREYOL project enabled the co-construction of an action plan rooted in the territory's reality, valuing local know-how and shared visions for the dynamic management of Creole breeds.
Work environment, missions and activities
You will be responsible for :
- Integrating the various results of the Karibiokréyol project and the subsequent action plan.
- Analysing literature on community-based breeding programs and participatory methods.
- Analysing results from on-farm trials and controlled environment experiments.
- Publishing the results of the KCP approach in a top-tier (Rank A) scientific journal.
- Publishing the biotechnical results (on-farm trials, controlled environment tests, sensory tests) in a top-tier (Rank A) scientific journal.
Training and skills
Recommanded Education: PhD in Animal Sciences or Management Sciences applied to Agronomy.
Valued Experience: Genetic selection, livestock systems, participatory methods (particularly the KCP® method), and qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Desired Aptitudes: Ability to work in a team, strong writing and oral communication skills in French and English, analytical mindset, and facilitation skills.
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
All persons employed by or hosted at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the Civil Service Code, particularly with regard to the obligation of neutrality and respect for the principle of secularism. In carrying out their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not express their religious, philosophical or political convictions through their behaviour or by what they wear. > Find out more: fonction publique.gouv.fr website (in French)