Open competitions for INRAE jobs
INRAE is always looking to hire permanent researchers and engineers. This section contains the information you need to know to choose and successfully navigate an INRAE open competition.
Types
Each year, INRAE recruits new staff via open competitions. Candidates of all nationalities can apply, as long as they have an appropriate educational background and the requisite research experience. There are four types of competitions for scientists:
- Research director—2nd class (DR2): This competition recruits senior researchers who have experience designing and carrying out research projects. More specifically, they are renowned experts in their fields of study and have expertise in leading scientific groups. They can generate, direct, and coordinate research projects, especially at European and international levels. They also know how to effectively exploit their research discoveries.
- Research scientist—standard class, based on profile (CRCN sur profil): This competition recruits early-career researchers who have a specific job profile sought by INRAE. These candidates have a PhD (or can prove that they have equivalent diplomas and scientific experience) and a publication record.
- Research scientist—standard class, based on project (CRCN sur projet): This competition recruits early-career researchers who have demonstrated their ability to produce high-quality research, as evidenced by a strong publication record. Candidates must propose a research project that corresponds to INRAE’s major themes: agriculture, food, and the environment.
- Research engineer (IR), study engineer (IE), or assistant engineer (AI): Different types of engineers are recruited via different competitions with a view to filling support positions in research and experimental units. Candidates must have experience designing and performing experiments, developing methods, tools, and experimental procedures in a range of scientific fields. Different positions call for varying skills and levels of responsibility.
INRAE also holds open competitions for research technicians (TRs) and research assistants (ATs). However, these competitions exclusively accept applications from citizens of EU countries, EEA countries, Switzerland, Andorra, and Monaco.
Application requirements
Different competitions have different requirements in terms of professional experiences and degrees, as shown in the table below.
| Competition types | Required qualifications, degrees, and professional experience |
|---|---|
| Research director – 2nd class (DR2) | You have at least 3 years of experience as a research scientist You have a PhD & at least 8 years of experience working in research If your PhD comes from a foreign institution, it must be evaluated by a specialised scientific commission at INRAE (Commission scientifique spécialisée), which will determine whether it is equivalent to a French degree |
| Research scientist-standard class based on profil (CRCN on profil or on project) | You have a PhD If your PhD comes from a foreign institution, it must be evaluated by a specialised scientific commission at INRAE (Commission scientifique spécialisée), which will determine whether it is equivalent to a French degree |
| Research engineer | You are a hight school teacher (having passed the competitive civil servant examen for French educators) You are an archivist paleographer You have an engineering degree form a grand école You have a french PhD |
| Study engineer | You have a bachelor’s or professional bachelor’s degree |
| Assistant engineer | You have a DEUG, BTS, DUT, DEUST (French degrees) |
| Research technician (TR) | You have a secondary school leaving certificate (e.g., high school diploma, baccalauréat) |
| Research assistant (AT) | You have certified vocational training (e.g., certificate of vocational proficiency [BEP], vocational training certificate [CAP]) |
You can apply to participate in a competition even if you do not have one of the required degrees. However, you must fill out a validation request (i.e., a dedicated form) as part of your application. This request is then evaluated by a specialised scientific commission at INRAE (Commission scientifique spécialisée), which determines whether or not your degree is equivalent to one earned in France.
Timeline
INRAE holds competitions annually. They begin and end according to a specific timeline. To provide a sense of how the system works, here is a general description of competition timing by type.
| | Submission start date | Submission deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Research Director—2nd class (DR2) | June | August |
| Research scientist—standard class, based on profile (CRCN sur profil) | End of January | March |
| Research scientist—standard class, based on project (CRCN sur projet) | End of May | End of July |
| Engineer | February | March |
| Research technician (TR) | February | March |
| Research assistant (AT) | February | March |
Job opportunities
All of the positions currently available at INRAE are listed at INRAEJobs. The announcements include the name, email, and/or phone number for the contact person who can provide further details about the job and its responsibilities.
The INRAEJobs website also has downloadable application guides that are specific for each competition type. They contain a range of information, including descriptions of INRAE, the recruitment corps, the application requirements, the registration procedure, and competition logistics. We strongly recommend that, before applying, you read the guide for your competition of interest.
On the website, you can sign up for real-time notifications of any competition updates.
Process
INRAE open competitions have five stages.
Stage 1 – Application submission
Candidates must submit an online application by a specified deadline. Applications vary according to competition type. For example, the application for prospective research directors—2nd class (DR2) has an administrative component (e.g., proof of ID, copies of degrees, employment history) and a scientific component (e.g., CV, research description, list of most impactful publications).
Stage 2 – Application approval
All applications are reviewed by INRAE’s Competition Administration Office (Service administratif des concours) to ensure that they are complete and meet the stated requirements.
Stage 3 – Application selection
The applications are then examined by a search committee comprised of research professionals. They choose which candidates will move on to the next stage of the competition. The list of those who have made it through this stage is posted on the INRAEJobs website. Candidates who are not on the list go no further in the competition.
Stage 4 – Entrance exams and interviews
The candidates selected must pass a written test (i.e., engineers and technicians only) and take part in a panel interview with a group of their peers. The panel evaluates each candidate’s written and oral performance. The candidates are then ranked, which serves as the basis for the final selection process.
Stage 5 – Candidate selection
The list of those who have been selected during stage 4 is posted on the INRAE Jobs website. Candidates who accept their job offer will begin permanent employment at INRAE. Candidates who are not offered a job can ask the panel to provide the reasons behind the decision.
When putting together an application, we recommend that you read through the advice provided at INRAEJobs.
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