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Context

Your position will be part of the SLAM-B project (Scenarios Labs to design and evaluate the bioeconomy
trajectories of territories towards carbon neutrality) of the PEPR FairCarbon program
(https://www.pepr-faircarbon.fr/), which aims to structure the French research community which
develops and applies integrated modeling and evaluation approaches to support the development of
a sustainable bioeconomy based on agroecology. SLAM-B aims to develop methods for modeling and
evaluating the territorial organization of biomass valorization sectors by combining bioeconomy and
agroecology for the development of virtuous and circular interdependencies making it possible to
achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 in Urban. The project aims to address three major scientific
challenges: (i) develop generic integrated assessment and modeling (IAM) approaches to simulate
bioeconomic transitions and anticipate their consequences (ii) demonstrate the relevance and the
legitimacy of these IAM approaches via their application within Living Labs with a prospective scope,
called Scenario Labs and, (iii) producing tailor-made knowledge for public decision-makers at national
and European scale.
Among the various questions raised by the project, the work package 1.4 is dedicated to the
development and integration of a set of biorefinery models, including environmental biorefineries,
for energy and agricultural purposes (anaerobic digestion, composting). These models will be
integrated into the MAELIA platform (http://maelia-platform.inra.fr/) which is a multi-agent platform
for integrated modeling and evaluation of territories and territorial bioeconomy systems developed by
INRAE.

Missions et activities

After a review of existing models and their purposes, you will select and integrate generic and robust
models into the MAELIA platform. For the same type of environmental biorefinery (e.g. anaerobic
digestion), two levels of model will be integrated, mechanistic and “empirical”, to offer alternatives in
terms of data to be collected to model these biorefinery processes. This modeling will be based, among
other things, on existing modeling works from the INRAE (LBE and OPAALE labs) and CIRAD (Recyclages
et Risques lab). Based at LBE, you will be in contact with the three laboratories mentioned above to
actively help lead an expert working group on the modeling of environmental biorefineries.

You will be more specifically in charge of :
- Reference the various models of bioprocesses for the valorization of organic residues
used and developed in France. The objective of this task is to analyze the diversity of
existing models in France and to produce a grid for their use (description, range of
validity, sensitivity, predicted variables, necessary data);
- Analyze the needs and lack of variables to predict according to the modeling
objectives;
- Choose the models selected and integrate them into MAELIA based on previous tasks
and in consultation with a working group made up of modeling experts from the INRAE
LBE, OPAALE and CIRAD labs;
- Bring a broader dimension to the proper use of the models selected by integrating
criteria (availability of organic wastes, economic criteria, arbitration of use of
processes, and constraints of urban and agricultural dynamics), based on artificial
intelligence and expert data, to help with the choice of the treatment chain in MAELIA;
- Help to lead a working group on modeling environmental biorefineries- Aider à l’animation d’u groupe de travail sur la modélisation des bioraffineries environnementales.

Required profile

• Recommended training: PhD, related to the modeling of organic residue valorization processes;
• Skills: knowledge and skills in numerical modeling, basic knowledge in biological process engineering,knowledge on programming languages (Python, Matlab, etc.);
• Abilities : Organization, autonomy, teamwork and a good capacity for dialogue between disciplines.

Quality of life at INRAE

•  Salary : 2600€ à 3040€ monthy gross depending on professional experience
• 30 days off + 15 days of recuperation per year
• Skills development systems: training, career guidance, etc.;
• Access to collective catering
• Position located at LBE (https://www6.montpellier.inrae.fr/narbonne/), in Narbonne (South of
  France) (https://www.narbonne.fr/

How to apply

The full application (detailed CV and covering letter; optional: list of scientific works related to the
recruitment topic) should be sent by mail to Julie Jimenez and Jean-Philippe Steyer
(julie.jimenez@inrae.fr et jean-philippe.steyer@inrae.fr) before the 2024/02/15. Applications will be
shortlisted based on the sent applications. Successful applicants will be invited to an interview with a
decision to be taken by 2024/03/01 at the latest.