DIRECTION DES RESSOURCES HUMAINES
GUIDE FOR CR APPLICANTS
Senior Researcher Grade 1: CR1
2004
INRA
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH
CONTENTS:
-INRA: research departmentsP. 2
-The job of the senior researcher: activities, appointment, pay, careerP. 2
-Finding out about current recruitments: publicity, contactsP. 4
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ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:
-1st condition: AgeP. 5
-2nd condition: Degrees and diplomasP. 5
-3rd condition: NationalityP. 7
-Other conditionsP. 7
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HOW TO APPLY:
-Stage 1: Finding out about vacant postsP. 7
-Stage 2: Making up the application folderP. 8
-Stage 3: Submitting the applicationP. 9
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THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
-Stage 1; Shortlist selectionP. 10
-Stage 2: AdmissionP. 10
-The juriesP. 10
-Arrangements for handicapped applicantsP. 11
NB:
Like other parts of the French civil service, INRA recruits Senior by competitive recruitment.
This guide is intended to answer applicants' main questions. Further information is readily available from the Human Resources Directorate, Research Staff Recruitment and Career Department:
Service Recrutement et Mobilité
Concours CR
147, rue de l’Université
75338 Paris cedex 07
33 (0)1.42.75.90.00
You can also ask questions by e-mail, to
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Grade 1 Senior Researchers are recruited from among confirmed researchers (aptitude for designing, presenting and leading a research project; ability to take responsibility, lead and supervise in a team situation) who have already published high level, high quality scientific output. From CR1 on, leadership and supervision, along with teaching, are an increasing part of the researcher's job, but scientific output is still the priority.
Activities:
Under the remit for research staff laid down in the research and technology development orientation and programming law of 15 July 1982, INRA researchers must not only contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge in their spheres of competence, they must also help transfer the results of their research to society at large: economic and social applications, dissemination of scientific and technical information, research-based training and training in research, and developing scientific exchange with other countries.
Their work is assessed every two years, and there is also a yearly work sheet. The first report on their work is produced at the end of their probationary period (one year between recruitment and acquisition of tenured status).
In 2001, new forms of assessment were introduced:
a) linkage between collective and individual assessment,
b) simpler methods of individual assessment,
c) more extensive use of interviews.
Every two years, the CR1s submit an activity sheet to their Specialised Scientific Committee (SSC), linked to an interview with their scientific group leader. These committees are INRA's assessment structures. Every four years CR1s are assessed in greater depth, with an activity report as well as the activity sheet, and another interview. The SSCs may, on their own initiative, ask for a thorough assessment mid-term, or for the following year, if they think it useful to discuss further with a researcher who is in a less settled situation or is encountering difficulties, whatever his or her grade or function.
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The SSCs examine the activity sheets and reports and assess the researcher's work. They are also empowered to give an opinion on granting tenured status to researchers at the end of their probationary period.
Once appointed, senior researchers are expected to devote all their working time to performing the tasks required by their remit, as described above. Researchers making a fully justified request may be granted derogations to allow them to undertake other paid or unpaid activities that complement their research work, such as teaching.
Appointment:
Appointments are decided by the Director General, following the order of the jury's list of admitted applicants. Appointments are probationary for one year; researchers are then granted tenured status subject to the advice of the competent assessment committee.
However, on the advice of the competent assessment body and the Joint Administrative Committee, the probationary period may be prolonged for one year maximum or the researcher's appointment terminated. Admitted applicants are reminded that they must undertake not to take secondment or detachment within five years.
In all cases, the applicant's past career is taken into account in calculating seniority.
Payment:
Gross monthly salary (in euros) at 01/01/04 – Senior Researcher Grade 1
Grade / 01 / 02 / 03 / 04 / 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09Index / 475 / 504 / 563 / 622 / 672 / 718 / 748 / 782 / 820
Salary / 2088.25 / 2215.74 / 2475.12 / 2734.50 / 2954.32 / 3156.55 / 3288.44 / 3437.92 / 3604.98
Zone 1
residence
allowance / 62.64 / 66.47 / 74.25 / 82.23 / 88.62 / 94.69 / 98.65 / 103.13 / 108.14
Zone 2
residence
allowance / 20.88 / 22.15 / 24.75 / 27.34 / 29.54 / 31.56 / 32.88 / 34.37 / 36.04
In addition to the basic salary, an annual research bonus of 933.96 euros is paid in six monthly instalments and an annual teaching allowance of 42.72 euros is paid in monthly instalments.
The index at which the applicant is recruited depends on their qualifications and previous career.
1) For calculating seniority, scientific work under contract in French state-funded research or higher education establishments or foreign research establishments, in posts equivalent to INRA senior researcher or teaching posts, is taken into account to the extent of 2/3 of actual duration.
2) Other types of public service are taken into account to the extent of ½ actual duration up to 12 years and 3/4 beyond 12 years, if the post involved was equivalent to a Category A post.
3) Seniority acquired in private enterprise, in posts equivalent to INRA Senior Researcher posts, is taken into account to the extent of ½ actual duration up to 12 years and 2/3 beyond 12 years.
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4) If the applicant was formerly a Category A French civil servant, they are appointed at the same index as their previous post or the one directly above.
Career:
Advancement within each grade is according to seniority, as shown in the table below.
ECHELONS, INDICES AND CONDITIONS FOR ADVANCEMENT TO NEXT GRADE
Grade / Echelon / New index(05/01/2001) / Duration
9 / 820 / Top echelon
8 / 782 / 2 yrs 10 mths
Senior / 7 / 748 / 2 yrs 9 mths
researcher / 6 / 718 / 2 yrs 6 mths
Grade 1 / 5 / 672 / 2 yrs 6 mths
4 / 622 / 2 yrs 6 mths
CR1 / 3 / 563 / 2 yrs 6 mths
2 / 504 / 2 yrs 6 mths
1 / 475 / 2 yrs
Admission to the rank of Research Director: After a minimum of 3 years at Grade 1, Senior Researchers can enter for the competitive recruitments that are held for all the French State-funded science and technology research establishments, for admission to the rank of Research Director (DR2). This promotion represents a real change of occupation, and it is essential to present a project and argue cogently for it.
In very exceptional cases, if so authorised by the INRA Scientific Council, CR1s who have made an outstanding contribution to research may compete for admission to the rank of Research Director without fulfilling the usual seniority conditions.
Seniority credits: additional seniority of one year is granted to Senior Researchers who have been detached or seconded for at least 2 years to a post
- in a research or higher education establishment abroad,
- in a government body, local authority or public or private enterprise.
Publicity:
At the start of each competitive recruitment, a departmental order is published in the French Official Journal, specifying the number of posts to be filled and the deadline for submitting applications.
Recruitments are also advertised by notices displayed in French universities, Ecoles d’ingénieurs, research establishments etc. and on the INRA website at (click on “Travailler à l’INRA”).
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Contacts:
All relevant information such as eligibility conditions, the recruitment process and documents to be submitted by applicants, can be obtained from the INRA Human Resources Directorate, Research Staff Recruitment and Careers Department:
Service Recrutement et Mobilité
Concours CR
147, rue de l’Université
75338 Paris cedex 07
33 (0)1.42.75.90.00
and on the INRA Website during recruitment periods: (click on “Travailler à l’INRA”).
You can also ask questions by e-mail to:
ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS:
There is no age limit for applicants for Grade 1 Senior Researcher posts.
Applicants cannot apply for more than three competitive recruitements for Senior Researchers Grade 1.
Nevertheless twice shortlisted applicants are allowed to apply once again (4th. recruitment).
Applicants must:
Possess one of the diplomas listed under and have accomplished four years in a research post (see Decree N°83-1260 of December, 30th 1983 as subsequently amended) :
- Doctorat d'Université as defined by the Departmental Order of July 5th, 1984,
- Doctorat d'Etat or Doctorat de 3e cycle,
- doctorate from one of the French Écoles d'Ingénieurs,
- D.E.R.S.O. (diploma in odontology studies and research),
- D.E.R.B.H. (diploma in human biology studies and research),
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- post-graduate degree from a foreign university, on condition that the competent INRA Specialised Scientific Committee considers it equivalent to one of the French diplomas required for admission to the rank applied for,
or
provide proof of scientific research, on condition that the competent INRA Specialised Scientific Committee considers it equivalent to one of the French diplomas or degrees required for admission to the rank applied for.
IMPORTANT: Applicants producing
-a foreign degree or diploma
-or proof of scientific work “Titres et Travaux scientifiques”.
- - or who have completed four years' research work in another French or foreign, public or private establishment or organisation,
must fill in the form entitled “demande d’équivalence” so that their application can be submitted to the relevant INRA Specialised Scientific Committee (SSC), which will decide whether or not their qualifications are equivalent to the required French diploma.
The applicant must choose which committee should examine their request for "equivalence", depending on their specific research area.
The Specialised Scientific Committees (SSCs) are as follows:
SSC n°1: EARTH, WATER and ATMOSPHERE SCIENCE
SSC n°2:AGRONOMY, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, SYLVICULTURE
SSC n°3:BIOLOGY OF POPULATIONS AND ECOSYSTEMS
SSC n°4: MOLECULAR and QUANTITATIVE GENETICS, PLANT POPULATIONS GENETICS
SSC n°5: ECOPHYSIOLOGY, GENETICS and PLANT INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY
SSC n°6:ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
SSC n°7:ANIMAL GENETICS
SSC n°8:BIOLOGY OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN HOSTS, PESTS, SYMBIONTS AND COMMENSALS
SSC n°9:NUTRITION, TOXICOLOGY
SSC n°10:FOOD SCIENCE: BIOCHEMISTRY
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SSC n°11:FOOD SCIENCE: MICROBIOLOGY, FOOD SAFETY, PRODUCT PROCESSING ENGINEERING
SSCn°12:MATHEMATICS, BIO-INFORMATICS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
SSC n°13:ECONOMICS, SOCIAL and MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
SSC n°14:RESEARCH MANAGEMENT
The applicant must specify the reason for requesting assessment for equivalence to the French requirements, enclosing the relevant documents as requested. Once the committee has given its opinion, the application is definitively accepted or rejected.
Persons of any nationality may apply. However, the Director General of INRA verifies whether foreign applicants accepted present the required guarantees.
No person may become a French civil servant:
- if they are not in full enjoyment of their civic rights,
- if any item in their police record is incompatible with civil service duties,
- if they have not fulfilled their National Service obligations,
- if they do not fulfil the physical aptitude conditions required under the civil service statutes for carrying out civil service duties.
HOW TO APPLY:
During the competitive recruitment, applicants may consult detailed profiles of vacant posts on the INRA website:
(Click on “Travailler à l’INRA”)
There is a list of profiles for each competitive recruitment. Applicants choose which competitiverecruitment or competitive recruitments they wish to work in and specify in their administrative file (see below) the post they wish to apply for. However, when an applicant is admitted the jury may suggest they take a different post in the same competitive recruitment.
Applicants are earnestly requested to contact the person or persons responsible (contact details are given in each job profile) for guidance on choice of grade, competitive recruitment and scientific profile to apply for.
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Applicants must apply for a specific competitive recruitment and grade by submitting an application folder consisting of 2 parts:
The administrative file, to be filled in:
This file can be downloaded from our Website or requested by mail (from INRA-DRH, concours CR, 147 rue de l’Université, 75338 PARIS cedex 07) during the recruitment application period.
The scientific file must consist of:
Three copies of the applicant's thesis (even if incomplete), electronic or paper ,
Five publications at most (the most recent and significant): three copies of each,
25 bound copies of a scientific report including:
1- A curriculum vitae (maximum two pages), with precise information about the applicant's studies, diplomas, previous and current professional activities, posts, training internships, research work and responsibilities.
2 – A report (11 to 13 pages) in two parts:
a) A first part (8 to 10 pages) on the applicant's research work. For each research project, conducted alone or in collaboration with others, the applicant should indicate:
- the goal and ultimate purpose of the research,
- its scientific value,
- the work programme and the methods employed,
- the results.
b) A second part (3 pages) in which the applicant describes how they mean to conduct the research described in the profile of the post they are applying for. For this they will refer to their training and experience and the contact they have had with the host unit.
3 – A list of publications.
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Practical points:
Applicants must make sure their reports are legible and readable. For this they must use conventional typefaces with single line spacing, text on one side of the paper only and graphs or illustrations on the reverse side. Applicants are also requested to keep to the number of pages indicated; no additional page will be taken into account by the jury.
Applicants wishing to file applications in more than one competitive recruitment must submit a properly constituted application folder (administrative file + scientific file) for each of the competitive recruitment chosen. Each folder must be clearly marked with the title of the corresponding recruitment.
However, applicants wishing to apply for more than one post in the same competitive recruitment must submit a single application folder, making sure to include in their scientific file a research project for each profile.
Applicants are not permitted to enclose letters of recommendation with their application folders.
Applicants must submit their application folders, containing the scientific file and the administrative file, before the obligatory deadline. Failure to comply with this condition will disqualify the application.
Application folders may be:
- delivered in person to the INRA reception desk at 147, rue de l’Université, Paris 75007
or
- sent by post to: INRA-DRH
Concours CR
147, rue de l’Université
75338 PARIS cedex 07
For applications sent by post, applicants must be sure they pay full postal charges. Applicants abroad must pay any customs costs involved.
Applicants must take care to submit a complete folder. No item may be added to the scientific file after the application submission deadline (no corrections, subsequent acceptance of articles for publication, revised version of a thesis, etc.).
When the Research Staff Recruitment and Careers Department has examined the application folder, the applicant will be sent confirmation of receipt informing them whether their application has been accepted.
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THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The shortlist jury examines the applicant's scientific worth in the field under consideration by studying their scientific file (for the detailed contents of this file). The jury makes sure the applicant has the scientific competencies required for the post to be filled.
The Research Staff Recruitment and Careers Department (Service Recrutement et Mobilité) informs applicants by mail whether they are shortlisted or not, and gives them an appointment for the admission stage interview if applicable. The shortlist of applicants is displayed at INRA head office (147, rue de l’Université, Paris 75007).
The admission jury interviews only the shortlisted applicants. The interview serves to clarify any points in the scientific file and to give jury members a better idea of the applicant's personality, adaptability, capacity for teamwork, ability to fit into the INRA environment and career growth potential.
NB: INRA does not pay applicants' travelling expenses.
Le Researcher Recruitment and Careers Department informs applicants by mail of the result of the interview. The list of admitted applicants is displayed at the INRA head office (147, rue de l’Université, Paris 75007).
Application to CR1 is examined by two successive juries. There is one jury per competitive recruitment
The shortlist selection jury
Chaired by the Director General or her representative, each jury has at least eight members of a grade at least equal to that of the post to be filled. It includes:
-INRA members chosen from a list drawn up by the Director General on the advice of the Scientific Council of the department concerned,
-non-INRA members (at least 1 in 4 and no more than 1 in 2) chosen by the Director General from a list drawn up from proposals by the Scientific Council,
-one member elected by the consultative scientific bodies.
All accepted applications are submitted to the shortlist selection jury. After examining applicants' files, the shortlist selection jury draws up a shortlist in order of merit.
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The admission jury
The composition of the admission jury is of exactly the same form as the shortlist selection jury.
After interviewing the shortlisted candidates, the admission jury draws up the list of admitted applicants in order of merit and, if appropriate, a further list of no more than twice the number of posts to be filled.
Applicants on this additional list will only be appointed to a post if all those on the main list have been appointed and a suitable post falls vacant.
There is no appeal against the juries' decisions.
Depending on the nature of their handicap, handicapped applicants for posts in the French civil service may be entitled to have the oral examination conditions adapted to their needs.
It is the material conditions and organisation of the interviews that are adapted; their content is exactly the same as for other applicants.
Adaptation may mean:
- personalised reception of and assistance to the applicant by the department organising the recruitment, depending on the applicant's particular difficulties (motor, visual, auditory etc.).
- particular adaptations of the interview conditions such as additional preparation or interview time for applicants with motor, visual or auditory handicaps, the help of a secretary, provision of an amplifier for a weak voice, etc.
Applicants concerned should contact the Research Staff Recruitment and Careers Department so that the necessary arrangements can be made.
* Registered with COTOREP, the French authority responsible for employment conditions for the handicapped.
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