TENURE-TRACK CPJ26-BAP-1
Integration of Multi-Scale Biological Data Using AI Tools within a Systems Biology Approach for Wheat Adaptation to Agroecological and Climate Transitions
63033 CLERMONT-FERRAND
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INRAE presentation
INRAE, the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment, is a public research organization bringing together 12,000 employees across 272 units in 18 centers across France. As the world’s leading institute specializing in agriculture, food, and the environment, INRAE plays a key role in supporting the necessary transitions to address global challenges.
Faced with population growth, food security challenges, climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss, INRAE is committed to developing scientific solutions and supporting the evolution of agricultural, food, and environmental practices.
Work environment, missions and activities
Context and partnerships
The GDEC Unit is developing a project focusing on wheat with the dual aims of (1) acquiring fundamental knowledge of the biological processes underlying the adaptation of wheat to environmental stresses and (2) applying this knowledge to the development of innovative varieties in the face of climate change and the agroecological transition. This research requires the analysis of multiscale and heterogeneous digital data (genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, phenomic, and ecophysiological) characterising plant responses to a fluctuating environment. This JP, with strong expertise in applied statistics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence (AI), will bring together all the public information and that generated by the various teams with a view to harnessing the genetic variability of wheat plasticity and developing solutions to improve its resilience to environments of the future. The Cereal Genetics, Diversity and Ecophysiology Joint Research Unit (UMR GDEC) and the research theme ‘Understanding the functioning of biological systems and predicting and modelling their behaviour’ are widely visible both nationally and internationally. At national level, the GDEC plays an active role in the INRAE DIGIT-BIO metaprogramme, which funds doctoral theses and projects of interest. Within the UCA, the GDEC is recognised through the Federations for Research into the Environment and Microbial Systems, the CIR1 and the ‘BigDATA’ research area of ISITE CAP-2025, as well as through its partnerships (Carnot Plant2Pro, Industrial Chair with Limagrain). As part of the Clermont University Campus, you will be fully involved in the strategic priorities and networks of the AI Cluster and the future research federation, as well as its associated Master’s. Finally, at international level, you will benefit from established partnerships with leading institutions in the field of multiscale analysis of biological data (England, Germany, the USA, China).
Nature and purpose of the research project
You will develop a research project integrating multiscale ‘omics’ data generated within the unit using AI tools into a systems biology framework. With the teams, you will explain and predict the response of wheat – in terms of yield and its components (PRESAGE team), yield stability (VISTA), natural immunity (IPM, BIOSTIM) and product quality (QUALIGRAIN) – to current (PRESAGE) and historical (PALEO-EVO) environmental data. You will need to formalise the biological questions through collaborations with researchers in applied mathematics at the Clermont site, and determine how best to use AI to manage the level of complexity across different spatial and temporal scales. Your research will help to identify the biological markers and signatures involved in the adaptation of wheat to multiple stresses, taking into account trade-offs between traits, and to harness these findings to optimise breeding programmes. Nature and purpose of the teaching project The teaching will be carried out within the Biology Department, part of the Institute of Life Sciences, Health, Agronomy and the Environment (SVSAE) at Clermont Auvergne University, in collaboration with the teaching team specialising in biostatistics and bioinformatics and the data4ia@clermont research federation within i-SITE CAP 20-25. You will be involved in teaching statistics, mathematics and AI applied to biology for the Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, and the international Master’s ‘Plant Science Facing New Challenges’ – part of the ‘Changing Environment’ Graduate School – and in particular the modules on biostatistics, exploratory data analysis and the integration of biological data. The teaching will cover the fundamentals of statistics, providing students on these courses with core knowledge, whilst also training them in new tools and approaches in statistics, mathematics and AI as applied to biology, using concrete examples based on agronomic subjects and experimental data.
Funding and related resources
ANR Package : €200 000
INRAE Package : €70 000
Others : €60 000
Total : €330 000
Training and skills
The required skills include integrating multi-scale biological data into a systems biology approach using methodologies that combine statistics, mathematics, and artificial intelligence tools. Beyond these core skills, the successful candidate will be responsible for project management, building collaborative networks at national and international levels, participating in local initiatives and training programs, and leading research groups.
INRAE's life quality
By joining our teams, you benefit from:
- 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.
International scientists, please visit your guide to facilitate your arrival and stay at INRAE.
Type of contract
Tenure-Track Junior Professor Chair enables recruitment of scientists based on a research and teaching project that lasts three years. At the end of this period, and following an assessment of your scientific achievements and professional capabilities, you may obtain a full-tenure position as Research Director (DR2).
A research and teaching agreement will specify the path you will follow towards full-tenure and enable you to acquire the qualifications necessary to become a full-tenure Research Director in your field.
You have until June 22, 2026 to submit your application. Only candidates previously selected on file by the selection committee will be invited to the hearing.
How to apply
- I download the applicant guide Guide for applicants pdf - 5.06 MB
- I note the profile number CPJ26-BAP-1
- I apply GO
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)