Postdoctoral Contract // Theatre Studies in Arabic (DéThéA)

Background and objectives of the post    

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

As part of the DéThéA programme (Theatre Studies in Arabic, ANR25-CE54-4456), funded by the ANR, INALCO is inviting applications for the recruitment of a postdoctoral researcher wishing to contribute to the activities developed within DéThéA.

The research programme will be based at Inalco and CERMOM and will involve researchers from across the DéThéA programme. The research will be conducted collaboratively. 100 per cent of the postdoctoral researcher’s working time will be devoted to collective research activities within the programme.

Programme and post description

Arabic Theatre Studies (DÉThéA) is a project funded by the ANR (ANR-25-CE54-4456) and brings together a consortium of three research units: CERMOM (EA 4091), IETT (EA 4186) and Ifpo (UMIFRE 6, UAR 3135). DéThéA aims to contribute to the emergence of studies on theatre in Arabic and to the structuring of the field by renewing research practices and knowledge-building in the field of Arabic theatre. Drawing on a new generation of researchers from French, European and Near Eastern universities, this programme is based on an innovative methodology that combines various approaches, ranging from fieldwork in the Middle East (Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine), the collection of various types of sources, and the creation of a unique research archive to generate new knowledge on Arabic theatre.

This 24-month postdoctoral contract aims to focus on Jordan, an area that has as yet been insufficiently explored by Arabic theatre studies. The successful candidate will be invited to propose an exploration of Jordanian theatrical materials, in all their diversity, in order to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the history of Jordanian theatre and, more broadly, Arab theatre.

Possible research areas

• Theatre archives in Jordan (institutional and non-institutional) 
• Mapping and analysis of Jordanian sources 
• Study of materiality and theatrical memory in Jordan 
• History of creative processes

Keywords: Theatre in Arabic; Arab theatre; Jordan; theatre historiography; theatre archives

Application requirements   

• Requirements: PhD thesis successfully defended less than 3 years prior to the start of the contract, or proof of successful defence at the time of application and within three months of taking up the post 
• Proficiency in French, English and Arabic
• Must not have completed a PhD at the recruiting institution

HR information  

• Contract type : 24-month post-doctoral position 
• Gross salary: €2,535 per month
• Full-time: 38 hours 45 minutes per week 
• 54 days’ paid annual leave including 2 periods of compulsory closure (3 weeks in summer and 1 week at Christmas);
• All positions at INALCO are open to people with disabilities;
• Remote working: Regular or occasional days of remote working, depending on departmental requirements;
• Job location: Maison de la recherche, 2 rue de Lille, 75007 Paris
• Desired start date: from 1 January 2027.

The application pack must include

• Cover page: surname, first name; clear title of the project; home institution (where the thesis was defended)
• The research proposal, written in French or English (maximum 12,000 characters [2,000 words], including spaces and footnotes). The candidate will explain how this project fits within the programme’s thematic focus and how he or she can contribute to the programme’s activities (particularly in terms of knowledge transfer).  100 per cent of the postdoctoral fellow’s working time will be devoted to collaborative research activities within the programme. 
• A curriculum vitae and a list of publications
• A doctoral degree, or a certificate of successful completion or a certificate of defence, to be provided within three months of taking up the post at the latest 
• A summary of the thesis (between 6,000 and 10,000 characters, including spaces)
• The defence report, if applicable, certified as a true copy
• A significant publication (PDF)
• A letter of recommendation, written in French or English (optional)

The application must be submitted electronically by 1 November 2026 at 18:00 (GMT+1) to the following addresses:
View e-mail  and View e-mail  (copy View e-mail)

Calendar

• Recruitment campaign opens: 28 September 2026
• Closing date for applications : 1 November 2026
• Interviews for eligible applications: from mid-November 2026
• Start date: 1 January 2027

Recruitment Committee

• Najla Nakhlé-Cerruti, CNRS/Ifpo
• Rima Sleiman, Inalco, CERMOM
• Elisabeth Vauthier, University of Lyon 3, IETT
• Marianne Noujaim, Saint Joseph University, IESAV