DECRIPT// Call for applications/ Doctoral contract

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

Founded in 1795, Inalco offers training in over 100 languages and in human and social sciences specializing in extra-Western areas, recognized in France and internationally. Supported by 14 teams (8 UMR and 6 own units), research at Inalco combines areal and global studies and disciplinary fields.

The program DECRIPT (Dispositif d'Études des Crises et Récits civilisationnels par la Pluridisciplinarité et les Terrains), is a multidisiplinary research and transfer program in global and area studies. Focusing on the analysis of the relationship between civilisational narratives, universalism and conflict logics, DECRIPT blends humanities, social sciences, and data analytics to produce empirically grounded, policy-relevant research on these critical challenges on a global scale and in 4 key areas (Indo-Pacific, Africa, Ukraine and the former Soviet world, Near East and Middle East). The program approaches civilisational narratives as socially, strategically and ideologically constructed discourses, articulating specific understandings of historical trajectories, cultural values and collective roles in the world order. Through its innovative Lab, it aims to connect researchers, policy makers and society to develop original research tools and analytical frameorks to address and navigate an increasingly narrative-driven global order.

DECRIPT brings together nearly 400 researchers and practicioners from 15 consortium partners including major French universities (Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, Université Paris Panthéon-Assas, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL), Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (USN), Université Paris 8, Université Bordeaux Montaigne (UBM), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Sciences Po Paris, Sciences Po Bordeaux, Sciences Po Lille), research organizations (CNRS, IRD) as well as leading institutions in the area of international relations practices as well as policy transfer (AFD, IFRI). DECRIPT also relies on a network of over 50 stakeholders, including international actors chosen to enhance scientific excellence, partenarial research in the program’s areas of specialization, and societal transfer.

Two contractual doctoral researchers, simultaneously integrated into one of the consortium's doctoral schools, a research unit within their enrollment institution, and DECRIPT’s team and program, will contribute respectively to the scientific animation of the Africa and Near and Middle East work packages (WP), for which they will be respectively recruited, while carrying out their doctoral research project in connection with their thesis supervisor.

Doctoral candidates will be hosted in one of the project's branches (Paris, Bordeaux, Lille). They will be required to actively participate in their WP’s regular research seminars, to take part in the collective tasks carried out within the framework of the program, and to contribute to its transfer schemes.

They will have a workspace within one of the project's antennas (Paris, Bordeaux, Lille). They will be expected to take an active part in the seminars of their assigned axis, in the collective tasks carried out within the framework of the program, and in its transfer actions towards society and public policy.

Respectively recruited within each of the two work packages (see below), doctoral candidates may work at one of the following instituions : Inalco ; Sciences Po 

Programmes of work (1 contract per programme)

PROGRAMME AFRICA - FOCUS SAHEL (WP5) (DOCTORAL CONTRACT 1)

The programme Africa - focus Sahel (WP5), explores how civilizational narratives actualize post-colonial divides in political discourse, considering their interplay with resurging sovereignty claims in African societies and international relations, local conflict dynamics, and governance models. It pays attention to the role of religious beliefs and local institutions in shaping these narratives, and how they are also fueled both by local and external actors, notably China and Russia, to challenge Western-led development and presence, and to legitimize non-democratic governance practices. This work package focuses particularly on the Sahel region as a focal point for competing narratives and external influences, while examining their broader continental and international implications.

NEAR AND MIDDLE EAST PROGRAM (WP6) (DOCTORAL CONTRACT 2)

The Near and Middle East Program (WP6), studies the Middle East as a juncture of multilevel tensions involving civilizational narratives that have also influenced global imaginaries. It examines the changing and contested nature of civilizational and identity politics in the region, from Pan-Arabism and (neo)-Ottomanism to pan-Islamist and apoist perspectives. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its neighboring developments, notably in Lebanon, serves as a focal point, exploring how it has generated transnational solidarities, shaped discourses of justice and legitimacy and influenced mobilization practices in the region and beyond.

Missions and activities

Selected candidates will carry out their doctoral project in collaboration with their thesis supervisor and they will be involved in the scientific activities and daily animation of the work package for which they will be respectively recruited.

They will have a workspace in one of the project's branches (Paris, Bordeaux, Lille), and will actively participate in the collective tasks carried out within the framework of the program as well as in its transfer mechanisms to society and public policies.

They will benefit from additional funding for their research.

Status and expected skills

Candidates must be finishing their M.A./M.Phil program, hold a M.A./M.Phil degree, or be enrolled in the first year of a PhD at the time of their application.

The selected candidates must have validated their M.A./M.Phil and be admitted to a doctoral program by one of the following consortium members’ doctoral school before the start of their contract : Inalco ; Sciences Po Bordeaux ; Sciences Po Lille ; Université Paris I ; Université Sorbonne Nouvelle ; Sciences Po Paris.

Enrollment disciplines: humanities and social sciences, particularly area studies, political science, public law, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, linguistics, economics, geography, information and communication sciences.
Language skills: proficiency in English and at least one language of the studied area, at a sufficient level to access and use primary sources. Proficiency in French is desirable. 

Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team, punctuality, reliability.

Application file

Applications must be completed and sent no later than Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 6:00 pm (GMT+1).

They consist of two parts:
1. An administrative application form, to be completed at the following address:
https://www.inalco.fr/form/decript-contrat-doctoral

2. An application file, to be sent to View e-mail  comprising the following documents:

• CV including training, diplomas, achievements, professional experience and any other element deemed relevant;
• Letter of motivation showing the coherence between the thesis project, the skills, interests and professional projects of the candidate, and the general theme of the DECRIPT program (2 pages maximum);
• Thesis project in line with the theme of DECRIPT and the areal axis concerned by the application (six pages maximum). The project must be in line with the program's general theme (see the information available at the following link https://www.inalco.fr/decript ; some of the seminars and conferences taking place in 2025-2026 can also be consulted at the following link: https://www.canal-u.tv/chaines/decript ). It should develop the problematic specific to the thesis envisaged, as well as the methodological perspectives and sources that will be mobilized. It should be accompanied by a bibliography and a provisional timetable, demonstrating the candidate's ability to project a solid and achievable work program;
• Letter of recommendation from the thesis director, current (PhD students already enrolled in the first year of their thesis) or prospective;
• Copy of degrees and diplomas, Master's transcript, language level attestation if applicable ;
• Additional documents depending on profile:
  o Candidates currently in Master 2: copy of Master 1 dissertation and/or at least one example of substantial publication or writing work;
  o Candidates holding a Master 2: copy of Master final dissertation, any publications;
  o Candidates currently in first year of thesis: copy of Master final dissertation, thesis progress, any publications

NB: Sending via We Transfer or France Transfert is preferred for large files.

Compensation and working conditions

Contract duration: 3 years
Type of contract: doctoral contract (Decree no. 2009-464 of April 23, 2009 relating to contract doctoral students in public establishments for a 3-year period with remuneration: €2,300 gross/month
Environmental expenses: annual research and travel expenses package of €1,500 to €2,000

Position location: 57 boulevard Raspail (main location), Bordeaux or Sciences Po Lille (depending on specialization and assignment); regular travel to Paris is to be expected for PhD students who would be assigned to Lille or Bordeaux.

Recruitment calendar

• Application deadline : Thursday June 11, 2026
• Pre-selection announcement : Thursday June 25, 2026 (provisional date)
• Auditions (by videoconference or in person): between June 29 and July 08, 2026 (provisional dates)
• Sending of results : Friday, July 10, 2026 (provisional date)
• Registration to doctoral school, signing of employment contract and installation : between September 2026 and November 2026 (according to respective doctoral school calendars)