Thesis offer: Co-designing and enhancing flower strips (FS) benefits with participatory research (PR) approaches in urban and agricultural landscapes
As part of the POLLIFLOWER project, the Ecobio Joint Research Unit (Rennes, France) is recruiting a doctoral student in ecology or with an engineering degree for the thesis titled “Co-designing and enhancing flower strips (FS) benefits with participatory research (PR) approaches in urban and agricultural landscapes”.
The objective of this thesis is to align ecological requirements to favor pollinators’ functional diversity using FS with social demand by civic and professional users through participatory environmental planning processes in agricultural and urban settings.
Hypotheses
This thesis proposal aims to address the following hypotheses:
- FS increase the diversity of hoverflies and bees in rural and urban environments flower mixes are based on flower functional traits attractivity, accessibility and profitability for biocontrol agents and pollinators.
- Values of FS are influenced by current activity and affordances (invitation to act) in inhabitants, farmers and green space managers.
- Enhancing opportunities to experience FS and its pollinators and providing orientation (awareness raising) towards FS biodiversity help to match ecological and social benefits (align users’ demand and ecological needs) in planning processes
Pre-requisites
🎓 Master’s degree in Ecology (e.g., specializations in Biodiversity, Ecology, Evolution, or Environmental Management) or an engineering degree (or equivalent)
🐝 Knowledge of urban and/or rural ecology, as well as the challenges of managing and conserving pollinating insects, is highly desirable.
🔎 Strong interest in sociology, interdisciplinary work, and conducting surveys with local stakeholders.
📊 Strong skills in statistical analysis (using R), writing (reports/scientific articles), and oral communication in French and English (both popular and scientific) are required.
💬 Soft skills: Rigor, independence, dynamism, teamwork, and strong communication skills.
🚗 Valid driver’s license (Class B) required.
Key Information
📍 Rennes, France
📅 Application deadline: June 26, 2026
To apply, please send to cecile.lelann@univ-rennes.fr, joan.van-baaren@univ-rennes.fr and contact@livinglabclef.fr a single PDF document containing a cover letter, a CV, transcripts from your Master’s 1 and 2 programs, and the contact information for two references.
Selected candidates may be invited to an interview based on their written application.
Find all the information you need to apply here.
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