Internship: Modeling Nitrogen Fluxes in a Mixed Crop–Dairy Cattle System
Develop and calibrate a mechanistic model to analyze nitrogen isotope dynamics in integrated livestock farming systems.
Best for:Master's students in agronomy or environmental science with strong mechanistic modeling and R programming skills.
Overview
The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is offering a six-month internship within the Herbivores joint research unit. The successful candidate will work on the NATAN15 research project, which investigates nitrogen cycle closure in mixed crop–dairy cattle systems using natural nitrogen isotope signatures. The primary objective is to adapt an existing multi-compartment mechanistic model to simulate nitrogen flux dynamics in soil and animal hair. This role involves literature review, model development, sensitivity analysis, and calibration against experimental data.
What you'll do
- Conduct a comprehensive literature review on nitrogen dynamics in mixed crop–livestock systems.
- Adapt and extend an existing multi-compartment mechanistic model using programming tools.
- Perform sensitivity analysis to identify key parameters influencing simulation outputs.
- Calibrate and evaluate model performance using observed δ¹⁵N values and nitrogen flux data.
- Collaborate with researchers across multiple INRAE units to integrate experimental findings.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's 2 student or final-year engineering student
Language: English or French
Instruction: English/French
- Knowledge of mixed crop–livestock farming systems
- Understanding of biogeochemical cycles
- Experience with mechanistic modeling
- Strong organizational and teamwork skills
- Must be a current Master's 2 or final-year engineering student
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-15
Interested candidates should submit their CV and a motivation letter via email to the listed supervisors.
- CV
- Motivation letter
Contact
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