Postdoctoral Contract // Research Fellow: “Civilisational Narratives, Universalisms and Multilateral Governance (Research Area 3)”

Background and objectives of the post    

Founded in 1795, Inalco offers a range of courses in over 100 languages and in the humanities and social sciences specialising in non-Western regions, recognised both in France and internationally. Supported by 14 research teams (8 joint research units and 6 in-house units), research at Inalco combines regional and global studies with various academic disciplines.

The DÉCRIPT (A Framework for the Study of Crises and Civilisational Narratives through Interdisciplinarity and Fieldwork), funded through the call for Expressions of Interest for ‘Research Programmes in the Humanities and Social Sciences’, part of the France 2030 initiative, is based on an ambitious scientific programme in area and global studies. Focusing on the analysis of the relationship between civilisational narratives, universalism and conflicting logics on a global scale and across four key regions (the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Ukraine and the former Soviet bloc, and the Near and Middle East), DÉCRIPT aims to develop original research, as well as research tools and mechanisms for transferring research findings to society and public policy. The programme approaches civilisational narratives as socially, strategically and ideologically constructed discourses, articulating specific interpretations of historical trajectories, cultural values and collective roles within the world order.

Led by INALCO, DÉCRIPT is based on a consortium of universities (University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, University of Paris Panthéon-Assas, University of Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL), Sorbonne Nouvelle University (USN), Paris 8 University, Bordeaux Montaigne University (UBM), University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Sciences Po Paris, Sciences Po Bordeaux, Sciences Po Lille), research organisations (CNRS, IRD), and leading institutions in the field of international relations and the transfer of research into public policy (AFD, IFRI). DÉCRIPT also draws on a network of over 50 stakeholders, including international partners selected to strengthen the programme’s scientific excellence, its regional focus, and its knowledge transfer mechanisms.

DÉCRIPT adopts an approach to the research profession that values diversity of skills and the development of professional networks. With this in mind, five postdoctoral researchers, integrated into DÉCRIPT’s permanent team, will contribute to the scientific coordination of the project, the organisation of seminars and the development of knowledge transfer initiatives for the research area for which they will be recruited. They will devote at least 25 per cent of their working time to collective tasks within the programme and in collaboration with its partners (for example, hosting international researchers; helping to organise cross-research-area events; contributing to a collective critical mapping exercise), and 75 per cent to conducting research projects related to the theme of their research area.

Recruited by INALCO as part of the DÉCRIPT programme, working at one of the project’s dedicated sites (Paris, Bordeaux or Lille), postdoctoral researchers may be assigned to one of the following institutions: Inalco, Université Bordeaux Montaigne (UBM), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Sciences Po Paris, IRD.

They will be integrated into the permanent DÉCRIPT team and will contribute to the coordination and scientific leadership of their research strand, working closely with the team (in particular the scientific lead, the executive director, the operational and quality assurance officer, the scientific outreach and projects officer, and the team of postdoctoral researchers) and with the researchers involved in the programme’s scientific coordination.

They will carry out their postdoctoral research project in consultation with their mentor at their host institution.

Scientific profile    

The cross-cutting programme ‘Civilisational Narratives, Universalisms and Multilateral Governance ’ (WP3) examines transformations in the international system and compares the political and institutional effects of specific civilisational narratives on the global stage.

It aims to develop a typology of challenges to the international system and universal norms, moving beyond simplistic categorisations such as ‘Global South’ versus ‘West’, whilst taking full account of their political and historical significance; assess the evolution of civilisational narratives within various international arenas (UN system institutions, the OIC, BRICS, etc.) to observe how challenges to universalism influence or reshape efforts to collectively manage transnational or global challenges such as conflict resolution, arms control, development, climate change, natural resource management or migration; and to examine the evolution of the value systems projected by Western actors, the criticisms these have provoked, and the way in which their relationship to global norms is increasingly dissociating their own civilisational narratives from reference to the universal and its institutional embodiments. This programme also examines how the European Union and the United States produce and promote their own narratives within this context of realignment, and the potential divisions these narratives may create both within these institutions and on a global scale.
The postdoctoral researcher will develop a project aimed at linking these global and regional issues to an empirical framework. The ideal candidate will, in particular, have an excellent knowledge of the UN system, the challenges it faces and its restructuring, but applications proposing to analyse other empirical cases will also be considered with interest.

The successful candidate will hold a PhD in the humanities and social sciences – notably area studies, political science, public law, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, linguistics, economics, geography, information and communication sciences – the postdoctoral researcher will be able to ground their research topics in epistemological and methodological reflection that is in line with the context and scientific objectives of DECRIPT.
He or she will be able to apply (or learn to apply) a range of methods, including, for example, discourse analysis, lexicometry, multiple correspondence analysis, concept genealogy, ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews and OSINT. 

Open to collaborative research and multidisciplinary approaches, he or she will be able to link empirical research, epistemological questions and methodological innovations.
Through their initiative, they will contribute fully to the roll-out of DECRIPT, the implementation of its scientific programme and the visibility of WP3.

Responsibilities and activities

The postdoctoral researcher will have three main responsibilities. 
  
1. A minimum of 25 per cent of working time will be devoted to supporting the DECRIPT programme, in particular:

• Participation in team meetings for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programme;
• Support for the planning and organisation of WP3’s scientific and knowledge transfer activities (open seminar; researcher-practitioner meetings; publications; the programme’s scientific events);
• Support for regular reporting (providing updates on the programme’s progress).

2. To carry out a research project contributing to the achievement of WP3’s scientific objectives, by developing the work proposed in the application dossier, in particular through the publication of articles in peer-reviewed journals.

3. Contribute to the development of a cross-cutting activity in close collaboration with the programme team and the four other postdoctoral researchers, in particular:

• Reflecting on crises and civilisational narratives through cross-cutting activities (e.g. a mapping project; conference panels and outreach activities);
• Monitoring developments in methods and tools for research in areal and global studies. This aspect will involve, in particular, participation in seminars and training modules developed as part of WP2 (research tools and training).  

Expected skills   

• Required: PhD in the Social Sciences and Humanities
• Skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Ability and willingness to work in a multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Scientific rigour, curiosity and strong motivation
• Excellent command of English; non-French-speaking candidates will be able to benefit from French as a foreign language tuition provided at INALCO.

HR information 

• Contract: 12-month postdoctoral position (renewable once);
• Fixed remuneration: €2,650.00 gross + travel allowance in accordance with current regulations.
• Working hours: full-time (35 hours per week)
• Remote working: up to 2 days of remote working per week, or on an ad hoc basis, depending on operational requirements;
• Location: Maison des sciences de l’homme, 54 boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris.
• Desired start date: 1 March 2027

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

2.    An application pack, to be sent to View e-mail (with a copy to View e-mail), comprising the following documents:
-    A cover letter including a description of the personal research project envisaged as part of the postdoctoral fellowship (maximum five pages, outlining the research question, methods and main objectives of the postdoctoral project, as well as the sources and data to be collected and utilised). The letter should specify whether the candidate wishes to be assigned, as a priority, to an institution within the consortium and/or to a research unit amongst the consortium’s member institutions or research organisations, or whether they leave this decision to the discretion of the project steering committee, based on their research topic and the programme’s priorities.

-    A copy of the doctoral degree certificate or proof of successful completion;
-    Full CV and list of publications;
-    Thesis defence report;
-    Letter of recommendation;
-    Optional: a letter of support from a prospective postdoctoral mentor at one of the consortium’s member institutions or research organisations.

Candidates currently in their final year of a PhD programme may apply. They must ensure that they include in their application a certificate confirming the date of their thesis defence, signed by their doctoral school.

Applications must be completed and submitted no later than 1 December 2026 at 18:00 (GMT+1) to the following addresses: View e-mail with a copy to View e-mail 

Provisional timetable 

• Application deadline: 1 December 2026
• Announcement of shortlisted candidates: 20 December 2026
• Auditions (via videoconference or in person): from 10 January 2027
• Announcement of results: from 1 February 2027
• Enrolment and signing of the contract: from 1 March 2027