Summary
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is offering a PhD position focused on developing a numerical tillering model for Poaceae. This innovative research aims to address the impacts of climate change on plant adaptation, particularly in mixed crop-livestock grassland systems.
Designation
PhD Position in Multidisciplinary Research on Grasslands and Forage Crops
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Organization | INRAE (French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment) |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Starting Date | 01/12/2026 |
| Remuneration | €2300 gross/month |
| Reference | OT-29107 |
| Application Deadline | 30/06/2026 |
Research Area
- Plant biology
- Ecophysiology
- Computational biology
- Climate change adaptation
Location
Lusignan, France (with a 3-month research stay at ILVO, Melle, Belgium)
Eligibility/Qualification
- Master’s degree or equivalent (MSc / Bac+5) in agronomy, ecophysiology, plant biology, or computational biology.
- Strong interest in plant modeling is highly recommended.
- Previous experience in modeling and programming (Python, R) is advantageous.
- Strong scientific writing skills in both French and English.
Job Description
The candidate will focus on:
- Developing a numerical tillering model incorporating climatic factors (CO2, temperature) and soil conditions (water, nitrogen).
- Adapting the CN-Wheat model to include tillering dynamics regulated by environmental and internal factors.
- Coordinating with the OpenAlea platform members to enhance agricultural practices and plant resilience under varying climatic conditions.
Research Questions:
- Simulating main phases of tillering and their responses to environmental factors.
- Determining model parameters for phenotypic differences between annual and perennial species.
- Analyzing the impacts of concurrent variations in CO2, water, and temperature on tillering.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and a motivation letter to the following contacts:
- Main Supervisor: Romain Barillot – romain.barillot@inrae.fr
- PhD Director: Gaëtan Louarn – gaetan.louarn@inrae.fr
Last Date to Apply
30th June 2026
For further details, refer to the INRAE official page.
