Optimization of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Flows in the Pig Industry: Integrated Modeling of the Continuum Feed-Pig-Effluent-Soil-Plant

Presentation INRAE

The National Institute for Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Research (INRAE) is a public research establishment bringing together a workforce of 12,000 people, with 272 research, service, and experimental units, located in 18 centers across France. INRAE is among the world's leading institutions in agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences. Its research aims to develop solutions for multi-performant agriculture, quality food, and sustainable management of resources and ecosystems.

Work Environment, Missions, and Activities

You will be welcomed into the mixed research unit Physiology, Environment, and Genetics for Animal and Livestock Systems (UMR PEGASE), located near Rennes. This unit conducts research to better understand the interactions between animals, farming practices, and the environment, contributing to the development of more sustainable livestock systems. The PhD thesis will be carried out in collaboration with (1) the research unit Optimization of Processes in Agriculture, Agrofood, and Environment (UR OPAALE), specializing in the treatment and valorization of effluents and organic waste, and (2) the mixed research unit Soil, Agro, and Hydrosystem, Spatialization (UMR SAS), specializing in agriculture and environment interactions, and expert in agronomy and soil science.

Under a CIFRE PhD contract, you will be funded for 3 years by the cooperative Cooperl. Cooperl is a cooperative of pig farmers in the Grand Ouest region, specializing in the production and valorization of pork, organized in a supply chain from feed to the return of effluents to the soil.

Pig farms generate significant flows of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), with more than 50% of the feed inputs being excreted in effluents. In Brittany, the N and P balances are excessive (+26.2 kg N/ha/year and +10.1 kg P/ha/year in 2018), linked to the use of imported raw materials (soybean meal, mineral P) and the improvement of effluent management practices.

The BOPS project aims to optimize the cycling of N and P at the feed-pig-effluent-soil-plant scale, combining nutritional (relocation of feed and reduction of excessive inputs), technological (treatment and valorization of effluents), and agronomic (return to the soil, adequacy and synchronization of crops-effluents) levers. The challenge is to reduce environmental losses while maintaining the economic performance of pig farming systems. Modeling is at the heart of this approach to predict the impact of strategies and guide technical choices.

This project will focus on a central research question: "What practices along the feed-pig-effluent-soil-plant continuum present the best efficiency to reduce N and P losses in the environment, while maintaining the economic and agronomic sustainability of pig systems?"

PhD Objectives

• Build a model capable of simulating N and P flows at the feed-pig-effluent-soil-plant scale
• Build and evaluate optimization scenarios for N and P flows at this scale, combining nutritional, technological, and agronomic levers
• Required Education and Skills
• Master's/Engineer (Bac+5)
• Required Scientific and Technical Skills
• A background in agronomy or zootechnics is essential. Knowledge of other related fields would be an asset.
• Modeling: Proficiency in simulation tools (Python, R, MATLAB)
• Data Analysis: Statistics, database management (SQL, R)
• Collaborative Work: Coordination with interns and partners (PEGASE, OPAALE, SAS, Cooperl)

Application Modalities

• A personalized cover letter and a detailed CV with the contact details of at least two references
• Transcripts and results from M1, M2, or equivalent, including ranking and number of students in the program
• Letters of recommendation if possible.
• Your Quality of Life at INRAE
• By joining INRAE, you will benefit (depending on the contract type and duration):
• up to 30 days of vacation + 15 RTT per year (for full-time)
• parental support: CESU childcare, leisure benefits
• skill development: training, career counseling
• social support: counseling and listening, social aids and loans
• vacation and leisure benefits: vacation vouchers, preferential accommodation
• sports and cultural activities
• collective dining.
• Application Modalities
• I am sending my CV and cover letter

*Persons hired at INRAE, a public research establishment, are subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Code, particularly regarding the obligation of neutrality and the principle of laïcité. In the exercise of their functions, whether or not they are in contact with the public, they must not manifest their convictions, by their behavior or appearance, whether they are religious, philosophical, or political. Learn more: site* *fonction publique.gouv.fr*