PhD: multi-scale modelling for the sustainable management of Sahelian pastoral ecosystems

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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 be hosted within the Unité Mixte de Recherche sur l'Écosystème Prairial (UREP). This PhD is part of the international TSARA initiative, which brings together 32 research organisations from 17 countries in Africa and Europe around a single theme: transforming food systems and agriculture through research (https://www.inrae.fr/linitiative-internationale-tsara).You will carry out your activities within the Unité Mixte de Recherche sur l'Écosystème Prairial (UREP), in close collaboration with CIRAD and the Centre de Suivi Écologique (CSE) of Senegal. Located in Clermont-Ferrand, in the Puy-de-Dôme department, UREP studies the agroecology of grasslands in a context of global change, particularly climate change and management practices. The Unit has international expertise in the following areas: carbon and nitrogen cycles (including greenhouse gas balance and carbon sequestration), plant community assembly, biotic interactions (plant-soil-animal), and their consequences on grassland functioning. The Unit is attached to the Division of Ecology and Biodiversity of Forest, Grassland and Aquatic Environments (ECODIV) of INRAE.

You will be specifically responsible for:

• adapting and calibrating the ModVege vegetation model and its extensions to Sahelian conditions, integrating dry season dynamics (senescence, straw degradation, fires, grazing);
• integrating animal diversity (cattle, sheep, goats, camelids) into the functional representation of grazing pressures;
• using field data (microclimate, animal behaviour, grass quality) to calibrate and validate the model;
• simulating prospective scenarios combining climate change and management strategies (pastoral mobility, exclosures, rotation, stocking rate);
• using the CoSMo model to anticipate changes in botanical composition under multiple pressures;
• validating the integrated model using field data and remote sensing (CSE, 30 sites, 26 rainy seasons, 3 dry seasons);
• participating in field campaigns, possibly in Senegal (September-November), as well as participatory workshops with herders, NGOs and decision-makers;
• writing a PhD thesis in French or English, publishing articles in international journals, and presenting at conferences (e.g. International Rangeland Congress 2029);

Specific working conditions: varied working conditions: In addition to office work, fieldwork may be necessary to collect data and validate model hypotheses.

Training and skills

Recommended education: master's degree (Research) in ecology/agroecology, agronomy/environmental sciences, mathematical modelling or computer science applied to life sciences or engineering degree in agronomy, environment, or data science.

Profile:

• computer work: Most tasks will be performed on computer, including programming for model development and optimization, data analysis (climatic, biological, pastoral), scientific visualisation and use of environmental modelling software;
• autonomy and scientific rigor: Work will be conducted independently, with a strong requirement for methodological rigor (hypothesis validation, reproducibility of results). Good time management will be essential to meet the deadlines of the PhD plan (literature review, development, validation, publications). Clear documentation of code and protocols will ensure transparency and reusability of the developed tools;
• team spirit and communication: Ecological modelling will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers in ecology and agronomy for the integration of ecological data, computer engineers for calculation optimisation and international partners (CSE) to adapt the model to different contexts. This collaboration will also involve active participation in team meetings, seminars and multidisciplinary workshops;
• continuous learning: In a rapidly evolving field, it is essential to keep up with advances in agroecological modelling (literature review), adapt skills to new methods (e.g. artificial intelligence applied to ecology, spatialised approaches), and participate in training organised by INRAE or its partners on specific tools (e.g. Git, parallel computing);
• knowledge of the Sahelian context and pastoral systems: understanding of the ecological, climatic and socio-economic dynamics specific to the Sahel and local pastoral practices;
• ecology and agronomy: functioning of grassland and silvopastoral ecosystems; plant-soil-animal interactions (biodiversity, biogeochemical cycles);
• modelling and computer science: advanced proficiency in Java and/or R, experience with modelling tools, best practices in software development (Git, unit testing, documentation);
• remote sensing and GIS use: analysis and interpretation of spatial data from satellite or aerial imagery to map, model and understand landscape evolution;
• Data analysis: statistics and scientific visualisation.

Appreciated experience:

• internship/research report in ecological modelling (e.g. population dynamics);
• use of field data (microclimate, pastoral monitoring, remote sensing);
• scientific communication: writing articles or technical reports, presentations at conferences or workshops, experience in agroforestry or pasture management, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams;
• collaboration with non-academic stakeholders (herders, NGOs, technical services).

Sought-after skills:

• critical analysis and synthesis skills;
• initiative and autonomy;
• scientific rigor and attention to detail;
• ability to work in a team and collaborate;
• excellent written and oral communication skills;
• proficiency in English.

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.

The Crouël site is served directly by the T2C bus route, number E4.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter