Postdoctoral Position Context-dependent Anti-predator Responses Wild Ungulates Inter-individual Variation Predation Regime in INRAE Toulouse – France

Summary

INRAE Toulouse, France, is offering a postdoctoral position for 18 to 24 months, funded by the ANR AnthropoFear project. The project focuses on context-dependent anti-predator responses in wild ungulates, particularly roe deer, investigating inter-individual variation in relation to prevailing predation regimes. The successful candidate will explore how predation context modulates among-individual variation in anti-predator behaviour and how average anti-predator responses differ based on the predation context. The role involves experimental manipulations, analyses of long-term datasets from the Eurodeer network, and potentially investigating the impact of individual personality on life-history performance. Applicants should hold a PhD in behavioural ecology with demonstrated research experience in predator-prey interactions and strong data analysis skills. The position is based at the CEFS unit in INRAE-Toulouse. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2026, with an ideal start date in late 2026 or early 2027.

Key Facts

Department	CEFS 0035 Centre Ecologie Faune Sauvage
Position Type	Postdoctoral position
Discipline	Behavioural ecology
Research Area	Context-dependent anti-predator responses, wild ungulates, inter-individual variation, predation regime, animal personality, population demography, life-history parameters
Degree Required	PhD in behavioural ecology
Experience	Demonstrated research experience in predator-prey interactions, prey antipredator behaviour, and animal personality; demonstrated skills in scientific writing and data analysis using R.
Salary	Dependent on candidate experience
Funding	ANR-funded AnthropoFear project
Contract Duration	18 to 24 months
Language	English (French not required but an asset)
Deadline	2026-12-01
Required Documents	CV, Cover letter describing motivation and relevant experience, Contact details of references
Employer Address	24 Chemin Borde Rouge, 31320 Toulouse Auzeville, France
Employer Contact	Nadège Bonnot ([email protected]), Valérie Bottin ([email protected])

About the Project

The postdoctoral project, part of the ANR-funded AnthropoFear project, aims to investigate the role of predation context in shaping anti-predator behaviour, specifically the mean and variance, in large herbivores, with a focus on roe deer. The project will address two core questions: 1) How does predation context modulate among-individual variation in anti-predator behaviour? This will involve analyzing long-term GPS monitoring data from the Eurodeer network to compare behavioural metrics across populations exposed to different predation contexts. 2) How do average anti-predator responses of large herbivore prey differ in relation to the prevailing predation context? This will involve conducting playback experiments using various predator sound stimuli (human, wolf, lynx) and video-recording ungulate behavioural responses using camera traps. The researcher will lead the implementation of the experimental protocol. Additional research interests, such as the impact of individual personality on life-history performance or hunting-induced behavioural adjustments from accelerometry data, can also be pursued.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate the role of predation context in shaping anti-predator behaviour in large herbivores, focusing on roe deer
• Analyze long-term GPS monitoring datasets from the Eurodeer network
• Compare within-population variance and structure of behavioural syndromes across populations with different predation contexts
• Implement playback experiment protocols to assess anti-predator responses to various predator sound stimuli
• Video-record behavioural responses of ungulates using camera traps
• Take lead in implementing experimental protocols with support from technician staff and students
• Potentially investigate the impact of individual personality phenotype on life-history performance using intensive datasets
• Potentially investigate hunting-induced behavioural adjustments derived from accelerometry data

Required Skills

• PhD in behavioural ecology
• Demonstrated research experience in predator-prey interactions
• Demonstrated research experience in prey anti-predator behaviour
• Demonstrated research experience in animal personality
• Knowledge and interest in population demography and life-history parameters
• Demonstrated skills in scientific writing
• Demonstrated skills in data analyses using R
• Excellent collaborative skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Valid driving license

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for researchers with a PhD in behavioural ecology who have demonstrated experience in predator-prey interactions, prey anti-predator behaviour, and animal personality. Candidates should possess strong skills in scientific writing and data analysis using R, and be interested in population demography and life-history parameters. The role requires excellent collaborative, communication, and interpersonal skills. A valid driving license is necessary, and while French is not required, it would be an asset.

Benefits

• Up to 30 days annual leave (full-time)
• 15 days Reduction Working Time (full-time)
• Parenting support
• CESU childcare services
• Leisure services
• Skills development systems
• Training
• Career advice
• Social support and advice
• Social assistance loans
• Holiday and leisure services
• Holiday vouchers
• Accommodation at preferential rates
• Sports and cultural activities
• Collective catering

About the Employer

INRAE (French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) is a major player in the research and innovation community, with 12,000 people across 272 research and experimental units in 18 regional centres throughout France. It is among the top research organisations globally in agricultural, food, plant, animal, ecology, and environmental sciences. INRAE aims to be a key player in addressing global challenges such as a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity by building solutions for agricultural, food, and environmental transitions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the duration of this postdoctoral position?

The position has a duration of 18 to 24 months.

What is the main research focus of this project?

The project focuses on context-dependent anti-predator responses in wild ungulates, particularly roe deer, investigating inter-individual variation in relation to prevailing predation regimes.

What degree is required for this position?

A PhD in behavioural ecology is required.

Is knowledge of French required for this role?

Speaking French is not required but would be considered an asset.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must send a CV, a cover letter describing their motivation and relevant experience, and contact details of references.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is December 1, 2026.