PhD in Animal Physiology and Nutrition: Regulation of Food Intake in Mulard Ducks UMR1419 INRAE/UPPA Nutrition Metabolisme Aquaculture (NuMeA) in France

UMR1419 INRAE/UPPA Nutrition Metabolisme Aquaculture (NuMeA) is recruiting a PhD candidate for a 3-year doctoral contract in animal physiology, nutrition, and poultry science. The project is titled “Regulation of food intake in mulard ducks: Nutritional and environmental strategies” and is based in Mont-de-Marsan, France, with work also involving the NuMeA laboratory and related experimental sites.

This PhD focuses on understanding and modulating food intake regulation in mulard ducks to support animal welfare and sustainable farming. The research combines nutritional physiology, feeding behavior, molecular biology, biochemistry, and statistics. The thesis will test three innovative levers: metabolizable energy, functional palatability (capsaicin), and intermittent lighting cycles. The work includes zootechnical measurements, metabolic and molecular analyses, gene expression studies, plasma hormone assays, protein analyses, and monitoring of tissue and brain actors linked to hunger, satiety, and reward circuits.

The position is especially relevant for candidates interested in animal welfare, poultry sector innovation, feeding behavior, and fundamental research applied to agricultural practice. The project aims to identify environmental and nutritional strategies that may encourage voluntary hyperphagia as an alternative to force-feeding.

Eligibility highlights: Master 2 or Engineering degree (Bac+5) in Biology, Animal Physiology, or Agronomy; strong background in nutritional physiology, molecular biology (qRT-PCR, Western Blot), biochemistry, and statistical analysis; team spirit, autonomy, interest in poultry, and a driving licence are required.

Funding: doctoral contract, 36 months, salary of 2300 € gross/month.

Application deadline: 2026-06-28. Start date is planned for November/December 2026.

How to apply: Send a single PDF containing your CV, cover letter, and contact details of a reference person to [email protected] and [email protected].