Researcher in Neuroethology and Social Cognition

INRAE; Nouzilly; Sur place; EUR 27 501 - 32 941; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

30 days of annual leave

15 days Reduction of Working Time

Parenting support

Skills development systems

Social support

Holiday vouchers

Sports and cultural activities

Collective catering

Résumé du poste

A leading French public research organization is seeking a researcher for a permanent position in Nouzilly. The successful candidate will conduct research on the impact of social environments on sheep mental states, utilizing neuroimaging techniques like EEG and MRI. A PhD in behavioral neuroscience and experience in functional neuroimaging are essential. The role offers 30 days of annual leave plus additional benefits. This position is ideal for those passionate about agricultural and animal welfare research.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in behavioural neuroscience required.
• Experience in functional neuroimaging and ethology or cognition.
• Experience with large animal species advantageous.

Responsabilités

• Conduct integrative research in neuroscience, ethology, and endocrinology.
• Focus on the social environment's impact on sheep mental states.
• Design social environments enhancing animal welfare.

Connaissances

Behavioural neuroscience

Functional neuroimaging

Ethology

Cognition

Fluency in English

Formation

PhD or equivalent in behavioural neuroscience

Outils

Electroencephalography

MRI

Description du poste

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.

INRAE is recruiting researchers by open competition and offering a permanent position.

Work environment, missions and activities

The joint research unit Physiology of Reproduction and Behaviours (UMR PRC), located in Nouzilly (Centre-Val de Loire, France), conducts integrative research in neuroscience, ethology, and endocrinology to better understand farm animal behaviour and welfare. You will join the Neuroethology and Social Cognition (NECOS) team, which investigates social relationships, perception of the social environment, and social communication in sheep, goats, and poultry.

Your research project will focus on the impact of the social environment on mental states in sheep. You will combine behavioural and neuroimaging approaches (electroencephalography, MRI) to determine how the quality of social relationships (affinity, familiarity, etc.) may shape brain activity between individuals.

In the first phase, you will test the hypothesis that the degree of affinity between two animals correlates with the establishment of inter‑brain synchrony. To do this, you will compare different pairs of animals (high affinity, low affinity, unfamiliar individuals) in various contexts (resting, feeding, social interaction).

In the medium term, you will study how the social environment (group size, homo‑ or heterospecific composition) can mitigate stress or promote positive mental states. In the longer term, your work will aim at designing social environments that enhance animal welfare, using inter‑brain synchrony as a new, objective indicator of positive affective states.

You will benefit from a unique scientific environment combining innovative neuroimaging facilities and experimental protocols with awake animals, participating voluntarily in the task.

Training and skills

PhD or equivalent (level 8)

A PhD or equivalent in behavioural neuroscience is required, with work experience in functional neuroimaging and in ethology or cognition. Past work experience with large animal species (sheep, dogs, non‑human primates) would be appreciated. If you do not hold an authorization to conduct animal experiments, you will be required to enroll in specific training. Being fluent in English is essential, along with significant international experience; candidates without such experience will be required to acquire such experience in the year following their recruitment.

INRAE's life quality

• 30 days of annual leave + 15 days “Reduction of Working Time” (for a full time employee)
• Parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services
• Skills development systems: training, career advice
• 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

Legal and EEO statement

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.

Offer reference

• Profile number: CR26-PHASE-6
• Corps: CR
• Category: A
• Salary based on experience: Minimum €2,708, with an observed average starting salary of €4,030 (gross/month)