Temporary position OT-28970
Research Engineer (M/F)
35000 Rennes
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
Within the Science and Technology of Milk and Egg Laboratory (UMR 1253 STLO, INRAE—Institut Agro), you will work on an early-stage development phase of a protein separation process based on tangential flow filtration. This project (funded by INRAE) aims to explore and validate an innovative separation approach developed by our team.
Under scientific supervision, you will contribute to a multiparametric study (including experimental and analytical components) aimed at:
- optimizing process conditions while considering separation performance as well as water and energy consumption;
- characterizing the fractions obtained;
- designing a new process scheme for the sustainable production of protein ingredients.
With the support of our team, you will be responsible for:
- conducting experiments (pre-treatment, tangential flow filtration) at the semi-pilot scale (handling and data acquisition);
- preparing samples and performing their analytical characterization (DLS, HPLC, ICP);
- processing, critically analyzing, and discussing the results;
- drafting and contributing to reports.
This position offers the opportunity to develop expertise in separation processes applied to dairy proteins, as well as in analytical methods, within a scientific and experimental environment combining laboratory- and pilot-scale work. It involves a significant degree of autonomy in conducting experiments and analyzing results.
Part of the project will be carried out on pilot-scale equipment installed on the LAIT platform (STLO). This work requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (lab coat, suitable footwear, and hearing protection where necessary), as well as periods of standing and repetitive handling tasks. Work organization may be occasionally adjusted to meet experimental constraints (e.g., monitoring trials, adjusted working hours), with the possibility of compensatory time arrangements in accordance with the unit’s internal regulations.
Training and skills
Recommended training: process engineering, food science, or a related field (chemistry / physical chemistry); Master’s level (engineering degree or MSc), ideally complemented by experience in an experimental environment (participation in or management of projects), not exceeding 4 years of professional experience.
Knowledge required: material and energy balances, basic knowledge of colloid chemistry, and experience with analytical methods.
Appreciated experience: solid–liquid filtration, pilot-scale experimentation.
Skills sought: rigor, critical thinking, and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently based on defined objectives; implementation and adaptation of experimental protocols; troubleshooting of technical issues; analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
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)