About the Role
INRAE Overview
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) is a public research establishment bringing together around 12,000 staff across 272 research, service, and experimental units in 18 locations nationwide. INRAE is a global leader in agricultural, food, plant, and animal sciences, aiming to develop solutions for multi-performing agriculture, high-quality food, and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems.
Work Environment, Missions, and Activities
You will be hosted at the Info&Sols Research Unit (INRAE Orléans), which contributes—within the Scientific Interest Group (GIS) Sol—to building and maintaining France’s national soil information system and monitoring soil quality.
The unit leads several soil inventory and monitoring programs, stores data in the national DoneSol database, supports data valorization, ensures sampling and data quality control, manages the European Soil Specimen Conservatory (CEES), performs physical measurements, and coordinates the network through regular exchanges and an annual seminar.
Project Context
The Soil Usable Water Reservoir (RUM) represents the maximum amount of water a soil can retain and supply to plants. It depends primarily on soil texture (clay, silt, sand content), depth, coarse fragment presence, and organic carbon content. RUM is essential for assessing crop water availability and modeling soil hydrological behavior.
Within the CAREX program (characterization of environments of INRAE experimental units), Info&Sols has conducted soil studies since 2013 across multiple French sites, generating a rich dataset suitable for comparative mapping studies.
Internship Objectives
The goal is to propose a ready-to-use RUM mapping tool—requiring no coding, complex configuration, or user development—by evaluating and comparing existing spatial mapping methods.
Identified Mapping Methods:
Statistical calculation per soil mapping unit
Statistical or geostatistical spatial interpolation (e.g., kriging)
Statistical modeling approaches (e.g., Quantile Random Forest)
Internship Activities:
Review literature to inventory applicable methods
Identify user needs in collaboration with the CAREX team and experimental units
Test selected methods, including the existing Python®-based CartoRUM tool for automated RUM calculation and mapping from soil surface data
Compare results to determine the most suitable methods
Propose turnkey tools for future studies (tool development)
Internship Period: Starting March 2027 (start date flexible with academic calendar).
Required Education and Skills
Master’s or Engineering degree (Bac+5)
Proficiency in Python and R (using and developing scripts)
Experience with GIS software (QGIS and/or ArcGIS) and spatial analysis
Critical thinking, interest in modeling and cartography
Preference for office-based work (no fieldwork)
High rigor, attention to detail, organizational and writing skills
Proficiency in office software
Knowledge of pedology is a plus
Quality of Life at INRAE
As a public research institution, INRAE offers benefits depending on contract type and duration:
Up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 RTT days (for full-time)
Parental support: childcare CESU vouchers, leisure subsidies
Skill development: training, career counseling
Social support: advice, listening, social aid and loans
Leisure & travel: holiday vouchers, preferential accommodation
Sports and cultural activities
Collective catering
Application Process
Please send your CV and motivation letter.
Public Service Commitment
INRAE, as a public research establishment, requires all personnel to uphold the principles of neutrality and secularism (laïcité), as defined by the French Public Service Code. In the exercise of their duties—whether or not interacting with the public—employees must not manifest religious, philosophical, or political convictions through behavior or attire.
For more information: fonction publique.gouv.fr (https://www.fonction-publique.gouv.fr)