Francesca Protti-Sánchez, Ph.D. (@fprottis.bsky.social)

Assistant Engineer in Behavioural and Chemical Ecology Context:The ARDECO project, funded under the Strategic Action Plan for Anticipating the Potential European Withdrawal of Active Substances and for the Development of Alternative Crop Protection Techniques (PARSADA), aims to structure and equip French research in chemical ecology, in order to accelerate the development of biocontrol solutions against insect crop pests. The objective is to identify, characterise, and validate volatile organic compounds (pheromones, kairomones) that modulate the behavior of agricultural pests. As part of this effort, INRAE is hiring an Assistant Engineer to support behavioural and chemical ecology experiments involving insect species targeted by the project. Missions:As a member of the iEES-Paris laboratory, you will contribute to:Conducting behavioural assays to test insect responses to volatile organic compounds (e.g., pheromones, kairomones)Performing volatile collections from plants and insects for chemical analysesEnsuring precise data collection and analysis of experiments, rigorous documentation, discussing results with colleagues, and preparing reports on the obtained resultsParticipating in insect rearing and maintaining colonies under controlled laboratory conditions We offer: A direct role in a national strategic project, bringing together academic research, technical institutes, and private sector actors (see https://iees-paris.fr/lancement-du-projet-parsada-ardeco/)A high-level research environment at the crossroads of functional genomics, neurophysiology, and applied ecology in a well recognised international and inclusive teamOpportunities for skills development and contract extension depending on project progression https://jobs.inrae.fr/en/ot-27356