Job for Researchers: Research Engineer in Pollinator Studies & Insect Collections — CNRS

Original title: Ingénieur d'étude (H/F) en étude des pollinisateurs et collection d'insectes

About the role

The French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) is recruiting an Ingénieur d’étude (H/F) to work on pollinator research and insect collections at the Laboratoire d’Écologie Alpine (LECA), located in Grenoble, Isère. This is a full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract (CDD), with a start date of 1 November 2026. The gross monthly salary starts at €2,496, depending on experience and in accordance with the CNRS pay scale.

The position is open to applicants who hold a certificate recognising their status as a disabled worker. It is part of the PEPR Dynabiod programme and involves both laboratory work and extensive fieldwork.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will study insect collections held in museums, associations, and laboratories across France, and possibly abroad. They will help organise and take part in an inventory campaign of pollinating insects along altitudinal gradients, including capturing and photographing insects in the field, processing images, and training a computer vision model for automatic taxonomic recognition.

Key activities

• Travel to multiple sites in France to photograph insects.
• Organise, lead, and participate in field campaigns for in-situ insect photography with other team members.
• Carry out preliminary identification of observed bees where possible.
• Label and annotate photographs, and populate a database.
• Ensure the quality, consistency, and traceability of data.
• Train a vision model for taxonomic identification of bees and potentially hoverflies, with support from experienced colleagues.
• Contribute to the running and organisation of the laboratory.
• Write observation reports, field reports, and technical notes.

Requirements

Skills and knowledge

• General knowledge of organism classification and ecology.
• Training in field entomology.
• Strong interest in taxonomic identification of wild bees and/or hoverflies.
• Data management and analysis skills.
• Basic understanding of legal and ethical frameworks.
• Experience using models coded in R or Python.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to work in a team.
• Good command of English.

Working environment

LECA is an ecology research laboratory located on the University Grenoble Alpes site (UMR5553). The post is funded through the PEPR Dynabiod programme. Note that fieldwork takes place in mountainous terrain and involves associated practical risks.

What we offer

• Gross monthly salary from €2,496 according to experience and CNRS pay scales.
• 44 days of annual leave and RTT per year.
• Teleworking practice and related compensation.
• 75% reimbursement of public transport costs, plus a sustainable mobility allowance of up to €300.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted before the deadline of Friday 11 September 2026. Please refer to the offer reference UMR5553-LAUGAL-002 when applying.

Original vacancy