Job offer

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 32 000 - 45 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research institute is offering a postdoctoral position to study the impact of ecological infrastructures on biodiversity using innovative methods. The role requires a PhD holder with strong research experience in agronomy or ecology, proficient in R and possessing excellent communication skills. This position encourages publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals, contributing to crucial environmental studies.

Qualifications

• Experience in systemic agronomy, agroecology, or landscape ecology.
• Advanced knowledge of statistical techniques.
• Ambition to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Responsabilités

• Assess the effects of ecological infrastructures on biodiversity.
• Analyze the structure of arthropod communities.
• Work with multi-relational datasets.

Connaissances

Research experience

Fluency in R

Excellent communication

Ability to collaborate

Formation

PhD in a relevant field

Outils

GIS software

Description du poste

Organisation/Company INRAE/AgroParisTech Research Field Environmental science » Ecology Agricultural sciences » Temperate agriculture Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 29 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral scientist to apply for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) European Postdoctoral Fellowship EPF 2025 to assess the effects of ecological infrastructures, combined with lower-disturbance cropping systems, on epigeic biodiversity.

Organic farming and soil conservation agriculture are the main cropping systems currently proposed as alternatives to conventional arable farming. Several studies have shown a favourable impact of these alternative cropping systems on soil organisms (Henneron et al., 2015; Appireddy et al., 2008) and the functions they perform (Teasdale et al., 2007). Nevertheless, the dynamics at work within transitional systems, which fall between these categories, are less well documented (Pelosi et al., 2015) and could explain some of the varying and sometimes contradictory results found in the literature on the impacts of these cropping systems (Bengtsson et al., 2005; Hole et al., 2005). No-till systems rely heavily on the use of herbicides, which can have an impact on some soil organisms. At the same time, organic farmers are seeking to reduce their heavy dependence on tillage, taking inspiration from conservation agriculture, which also induces transitions whose consequences for biodiversity and the functions it performs are poorly understood.

Agroecological ecological infrastructures, such as perennial flower strips, are another lever for increasing the quantity and diversity of arthropods near and within cultivated fields. However, the establishment of flower strips is often considered as an isolated lever, without necessarily considering their integration in line with the adjacent cropping system. One reason for this is that the interaction between the presence of a feature and the cropping system in the adjacent field is currently unknown. It can be assumed that promoting biodiversity in the strip will have different effects in the field depending on the techniques used. Does a flower strip compensate for the effects of intensive practices in the field (additivity of effects)? Or is the effect of the strip reinforced by practices that promote biodiversity in the vicinity (synergy)? To our knowledge, the combination of these levers (cropping systems and flower strips), implemented simultaneously, and its consequences on biological regulation have never been studied.

Since 2018, the INRAE ‘Agronomy’ lab has been characterising the biodiversity of arthropods on the soil surface in a network of fields belonging to 32 farmers whose production methods vary greatly, comparing fields with and without perennial flower strips. Biodiversity is described on a multi-annual basis. The aim of the proposed postdoctoral position will be to analyse how arthropod communities are structured, taking into account both (1) the disturbances and resources generated by cropping systems and (2) the presence of ecological infrastructures providing trophic resources and refuges. Data analysis will be carried out using taxonomic and functional approaches. We propose to describe cropping systems according to how they act as a filters for organisms, i.e. translating them into gradients along different environmental axes (Gaba et al., 2017; Muneret et al., 2023; Chassain et al., 2024).

Knowledge required
* A research experience in systemic agronomy, agroecology, landscape ecology or biodiversity research;
* Fluency in R and understanding of advanced statistical techniques, including analysis of multi-relational datasets and variables with multifactorial determinants;
* Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse team of researchers;
* A good publication record and the ambition and capacity to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Appreciated experience
* Experience in the use of GIS software;
* Knowledge in entomology, in plant functional ecology.

To be eligible, the candidate must have a PhD with less than 8 year of research experience in European labs, and has not spent more than 12 months in France over the last three years at the time of the deadline (September 2025).

Location
The successful candidate will be based in INRAE ‘Agronomy’ laboratory in Palaiseau (near Paris, France). The aim of the lab is to produce and mobilise scientific and expert methods and knowledge, from local to global scales, to (i) assess the environmental impacts and ecosystem services provided by current and alternative cropping systems, and (ii) support stakeholders involved in changing agricultural techniques by working with them to develop resources (knowledge, tools and methods).
INRAE, UMR Agronomie
22, place de l'agronomie
91123 Palaiseau, France
https://eng-agronomie.versailles-grignon.hub.inrae.fr/

Application
Applications must be sent no later than 29th June 2024 to [e-mail] . Applications should be written in English and contain (i) a statement of academic interests and motivation for the position, (ii) a Curriculum Vitae including a complete list of publications and (iii) contact details for two referees.

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.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Environmental science » Ecology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Knowledge required
* A research experience in systemic agronomy, agroecology, landscape ecology or biodiversity research;
* Fluency in R and understanding of advanced statistical techniques, including analysis of multi-relational datasets and variables with multifactorial determinants;
* Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively within a diverse team of researchers;
* A good publication record and the ambition and capacity to publish in peer-reviewed journals.

Specific Requirements

Appreciated experience
* Experience in the use of GIS software;
* Knowledge in entomology, in plant functional ecology.

To be eligible, the candidate must have a PhD with less than 8 year of research experience in European labs, and has not spent more than 12 months in France over the last three years at the time of the deadline (September 2025).