Ludovic Harter

UMR iEES

PhD student / Nov 2023 to Nov 2026

Scenarios of sustainable agricultural intensification at the European scale

Using the GRAFS (Generalized Representation of Agri‑Food Systems) framework to develop multidisciplinary scenarios that explore different pathways for sustainable agricultural intensification and quantify their environmental performance across Europe at a territorial resolution. This work includes exploring alternative transition pathways by integrating strategies based on the bioeconomy.

My Mission in 180s / Sustainable agricultural intensification scenarios across the EU

Kevin Bertin

Toulouse Biotechnology Institute

Postdoctoral researcher / Oct 2024 to Oct 2026

Key performance indicators (KPIs) for the bioeconomy from the local to the EU scale / project coordinator (from May 2026)

My mission will consist in defining KPIs for each bioeconomy sector and for each territorial unit, enabling (i) the anticipation of “high‑performing” value chains (ex‑ante) and (ii) the identification of priority indicators. The aim is to compare the metrics currently used to quantify the impacts of different bioeconomy systems (e.g., those used in LCA) with stakeholder needs, and to identify the missing indicators required to support their decision‑making. To this end, online consultations and individual interviews will be conducted with actors from the public sector, private sector, and civil society. These consultations will then be extended to bioeconomy stakeholders at the French and EU levels.

Arthur Lenoir

UMR LAE

Postdoctoral researcher / Nov 2024 to April 2026

Project coordinator

In parallel with my research activities in modelling, I am responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and providing scientific support for the various tasks of the project

Wasim Ahmed

UMR LBE

Postdoctoral researcher / Sept 2024 to June 2026

Modelling and optimisation of the anaerobic digestion process and a composting chain

Development of models for anaerobic digestion and composting processes. The objective is to create an integrated framework representing a biorefinery process chain. Designed as a decision‑support tool, it will enable the assessment of operational feasibility, including preliminary performance analysis (biogas production, digestate quality, compost carbon and nitrogen content, dry matter and organic matter). The aim is to identify optimal operating strategies under constraints (e.g., feedstock availability, process limitations) and to integrate this module into MAELIA.

Agathe Souiry

UMR FARE

Engineer / March 2024 to Dec 2028

Foresight for an urban bioeconomy in Reims

One of the seven scenario labs in which bioeconomy scenarios are being developed focuses on the Reims territory. These foresight scenarios are co‑constructed with stakeholders from Greater Reims and explore how the role of the bioeconomy in the city could evolve. They aim in particular to support the achievement of sustainability objectives (such as carbon neutrality) in response to the challenges of the Food–Non‑Food–Natural Resources nexus, while adapting to climate change. A detailed assessment of the performance of these multi‑sector scenarios, using integrated assessment and modelling (IAM) approaches, will provide insights into their feasibility and their expected outcomes.

Hugo Senges

UMR AGIR

Postdoctoral researcher / April 2024 to April 2026

Development of an information system for the bioeconomy at the European scale

My current mission consists in structuring pedoclimatic databases for the fine‑scale simulation of soil–plant–atmosphere interactions. Within the SLAM‑B project, which aims to design transitions for European agri‑food systems, I am extending the modelling approaches developed as part of the 4p1000 study, in close collaboration with the STICS modelling community.

Simon Charrière

INRAE

PhD student / April 2024 to July 2026

Coupled water and carbon balances at the scale of a Mediterranean territory

The study area is predominantly composed of orchards and vineyards, which are crop systems poorly represented in our current modelling tools. The objective is to assess the impact of orchard and vineyard management practices on water and carbon fluxes at the territorial scale.

Moussa Kapoulogaynako

Ferlo-Sine (Sénégal)

PhD student / June 2024 to Sept 2027

Contribution of energy transition scenarios to the carbon‑neutrality trajectory of agrosilvopastoral systems in the Sahel

My work focuses on energy uses in two territories of rural Senegal: the Ferlo (a sylvopastoral zone) and the Sine (an agropastoral zone). We are particularly interested in the energy uses of the agricultural system, both as a consumer and as a supplier of biomass energy, which is heavily mobilised for domestic needs. Social factors that influence energy demand also play a significant role. The carbon and ecological footprint of the different energy sources used across territorial compartments is a central component of our work, and the energy transition scenarios toward carbon neutrality will be contextualised in relation to territorial dynamics and the local and national political context.

Jérémy Pantet

UMR OPAALE

Postdoctoral researcher / Sept 2024 to April 2026

Optimisation of a biomass valorisation chain

The aim is to develop a module, coded in Julia, that can be connected to MAELIA and that optimises the spatial and temporal organisation of a biomass valorisation chain.

Suzon Garnier

UR ASTRO

PhD student / Nov 2023 to Nov 2026

Integration of household behaviours into the modelling of territorial biowaste‑management scenarios: application to Guadeloupe

My PhD focuses on the design and assessment of territorial biowaste‑management scenarios using an integrated approach that combines three components: modelling individual household behaviours, modelling territorial biowaste flows, and conducting a participatory multi‑criteria evaluation of the scenarios. The objective is to better understand how household decisions and practices influence biowaste flows, and how public policies can steer these behaviours. By coupling flow models with behavioural models, the work aims to anticipate the effects of different management strategies and to compare their environmental, social, and economic impacts. This approach results in a decision‑support tool for territorial stakeholders, grounded in local realities and incorporating stakeholder preferences.

Clémence Ravier

UMR LAE

Postdoctoral researcher / April 2025 to April 2027

Modelling the nitrogen and carbon cycles of perennial species in MAELIA

My mission consists in evaluating the NC version of the HerbSim crop model to simulate the carbon and nitrogen cycles of perennial covers. HerbSim is a model that simulates grassland production under different defoliation regimes. HerbSimNC is an improved version of the model that enables nitrogen and carbon budgeting for these systems. Both versions are used in MAELIA to simulate grasslands. Next, I will work on modelling the N and C cycles of agroforestry systems within MAELIA.

Baptiste Lesquoy

UMR ACROSS

Engineer / Nov 2025 to Dec 2026

Sensitivity analysis in MAELIA

My mission is to provide the software tools required to deploy sensitivity analyses for given territories or conditions within the MAELIA model.

Ugo Javourez

UMR LAE

Postdoctoral researcher / sept 2024 to Sept 2026

Development and application of a France‑specific version of the MAELIA platform

The objective is to design a scaling‑up procedure for MAELIA to support integrated modelling and assessment of bioeconomic systems at the national level. The mission relies on the construction and consolidation of a spatialised information system based on micro‑data analysis, disaggregation methods, and typology building, with a particular focus on agricultural systems (crop rotations, practices, livestock, etc.). It also includes the development and management of simulation plans for the MAELIA platform, using sampling and extrapolation procedures to support the design and evaluation of scenarios.

Rosine Clément

UMR EMMAH

Engineer / Dec 2025 to Nov 2027

Coupled modelling of water and carbon balances applied to a small Mediterranean catchment

My mission focuses on the coupled modelling of water and carbon balances in the small Mediterranean catchment of the Ouvèze–Ventoux. This territory faces increasing pressure on water resources, a situation likely to worsen under climate change. To assess the impact of scenarios involving changes in agricultural practices—particularly in vineyards and orchards—we rely on the MAELIA modelling platform. The objective is to support decision‑making for local stakeholders by addressing key questions such as: to what extent can carbon neutrality be achieved in a context of limited water resources? And do agricultural practices aimed at carbon neutrality also serve as levers for more efficient water management?

Tiziano Maisonhaute

UMR LIRMM

PhD student / Nov 2023 to Dec 2026

Development of simulation procedures for the spatio‑temporal organisation of value chains

My mission is to equip the value‑chain module with the ability to manage the acquaintance network dynamically (i.e., which units exchange with which others). The approach relies on Multi‑Agent Reinforcement Learning.

Gabin Guillemaud

UMR ACROSS

PhD student / Dec 2024 to Dec 2027

Assessing the absolute environmental sustainability of territorial bioeconomy trajectories from a life‑cycle perspective

Absolute Environmental Sustainability Assessment (AESA) aims to determine whether the environmental performance of a system is sufficient to prevent harmful and irreversible changes to the Earth system. A comparison of territorial approaches has been conducted to analyse their contributions and limitations. In addition, several scientific communities study sub‑global biophysical processes and their role in maintaining the habitability of the Earth for humans (planetary boundaries, ecosystem services, environmental carrying capacities, natural capital, etc.). This PhD will propose a multi‑scale, globally applicable definition of sub‑global biophysical thresholds. A balance will be sought between spatial relevance and operational feasibility. This will make it possible to assess the extent to which a territory’s activities contribute to the degradation of sub‑global carrying capacities around the world.

Cyprien Drommi

UMR LIED

PhD student / Nov 2024 to Dec 2027

Energy Modelling of the Agricultural System under Constraints to Support the Transition

My PhD aims to model the energy balance of the French agricultural system, based on a representation of agricultural production grounded in nutrient flows. Energy demand is estimated through both direct energy use (tractors, building heating) and indirect energy associated with the production of synthetic inputs. Energy production includes food, biofuels, biogas, residue valorisation and, potentially, agrivoltaics. Confronting energy supply and demand makes it possible to estimate mobilisable surpluses and to analyse, under different scenarios, the trade‑offs and competition between food production and bioenergy.

Mame Diarra Diouf

 UMMISCO-UCAD-IRD

PhD student / March 2024 to March 2028

Explainability of machine‑learning and deep‑learning models applied to digital mapping of soil organic carbon stocks in agro‑silvo‑pastoral systems in Senegal

In Senegal, particularly in agro‑silvo‑pastoral systems exposed to a harsh climate and severe soil degradation, mapping, monitoring and estimating the spatio‑temporal variations of soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks have become essential for understanding ecosystem services and supporting sustainable agricultural systems. The objective of this mission is to develop an explainable artificial‑intelligence framework applied to predictive SOC mapping, in order to reconcile predictive performance, transparency and interpretability. This approach aims to strengthen scientific understanding of SOC dynamics and to support decision‑making for sustainable soil management.

Chiara Gasperini

 UMR FARE

PhD student / March 2026 to March 2029

PhD on modelling and assessing sustainable bioeconomy scenarios

The objective of my mission is to model and assess the sustainability of different bioeconomy scenarios within the agroecological transition, at the scale of France and the European Union, in connection with the 2050 carbon‑neutrality target. These scenarios will address the evolution of agricultural systems and the valorisation of biomass (including biogas), as well as their agro‑environmental impacts, notably carbon sequestration, greenhouse‑gas emissions and nitrogen self‑sufficiency. Particular attention will be given to exploring trade‑offs between food production, energy production and environmental sustainability across contrasting territories.