Job Title
Postdoctoral Researcher (M/W) 24 months
Employer Description
The French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD) is a public and multidisciplinary research institution that, for nearly 80 years, has fostered equitable partnerships with countries in the Global South and French overseas territories. As a key player in the international development agenda, the IRD aligns its priorities with the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Scientists and partners collaborate to offer practical solutions to the global challenges facing societies and the planet. This mutually beneficial relationship elevates science and innovation as crucial drivers of sustainable development. The IRD operates under the dual supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The Host Structure
URMIS – Research Unit on Migrations and Society is a joint research unit affiliated with Université Côte d’Azur, Université Paris Cité, IRD (UMR 205), and the French National Centre for Scientific Research
(CNRS, UMR 8245). URMIS is a multidisciplinary unit focusing on migration studies, interethnic relations, racism, discrimination, and power dynamics. The unit investigates identification processes, categorizations, and the redefinition of social boundaries and power relations brought about by the migration of people, ideas, and beliefs. It adopts a constructivist approach, viewing ethnic and racial dimensions of communities and personal identities as socially produced and relational categories. These are analyzed in contexts of conflict, control mechanisms, social and health policies, and identity assertion strategies. Special attention is paid to the impacts of globalization on the decompartmentalization of local spaces, the rise of supranational decision-making bodies, and the growth of transnational networks in economic, cultural, and religious exchanges. URMIS includes research teams based in Paris and Nice and brings together researchers from multiple disciplines within the social sciences and humanities (sociology, anthropology, political science, demography, social psychology, geography, and history).
An attractive mission
Co-conduct the research project "Governing Migration Across Borders: Diplomacy, Cooperation, and Externalization." Under the supervision of Federica Infantino, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to this project, which analyzes migration diplomacy, international cooperation, and externalization in border control and expulsion policies. The project adopts an innovative perspective by treating these areas as fields of practice and examining how the involved actors and their social interactions shape migration governance in the context of asymmetric power relations. The researcher’s work will focus on Morocco and will be carried out in partnership with Moroccan universities.
Main Tasks (5 activities)
- Literature and Document Analysis: Study the evolution of Moroccan migration policy and its migration diplomacy with the EU, its Member States, the African Union, and other African countries, especially in the Sahel region. Examine formal and informal cooperation regarding the readmission of irregular migrants. Analyze consultative regional processes (e.g., Rabat Process, EUROMED), networks and platforms (e.g., IOM Return and Reintegration Platform, European Return Network), and initiatives related to the UN Global Compact on Migration, EU’s Integrated Border Management Strategy (EUIBM), and police cooperation (e.g., Frontex, I-ONE, WAPCCO).
- Fieldwork: Conduct interviews and participant observations with relevant actors and organizations to produce original data.
- Dissemination: Share research findings through publications and presentations at the local, national, and international levels, in both English and French.
- Scientific Engagement: Contribute to the intellectual life of the participating labs through organizing workshops, active participation in seminars, and involvement in the international GovMig network.
- Teaching Contributions: Facilitate educational activities related to the project themes.
Secondary Activities to enhance the impact of the project:
- Engage stakeholders (survey participants and civil society actors) through feedback and dissemination of research findings.
- Identify potential partner organizations for internships for students in the Migration Studies master’s degree in Nice.
Required Skills and Qualifications
Top 5 competencies (ranked by importance):
- In-depth understanding of the epistemological and methodological challenges in social sciences research, particularly in migration studies and migration governance.
- Ability to design and implement field research methodologies.
- Excellent written and spoken proficiency in French and English.
- Strong writing and synthesis skills (oral and written).
- Proficiency in spoken Arabic and Moroccan dialect (Darija) – preferred.
Personal Qualities:
- Strong organizational skills, methodological rigor, and ability to meet deadlines.
- Listening and interpersonal communication skills.
- Sense of responsibility and initiative.
- Ability to engage with diverse audiences.
- Autonomy.
Your Future Team
The researcher will work closely with Federica Infantino and another postdoctoral researcher and will be a member of URMIS.
Why Join IRD The IRD supports your professional development through digital onboarding tools, continuing education, career advancement opportunities, and mobility pathways.Depending on responsibilities, remote work is possible for 1 to 3 days per week.
Salary:
Depending on experience:
- Approx. €2800 gross/month (0–2 years post-PhD), up to €4000 gross/month (2–7 years post-PhD)
- An operating budget is allocated to cover the travel expenses of the recruited researcher for fieldwork and scientific dissemination activities.
Additional Benefits:
- Research funds available for fieldwork and scientific communication.
- 32 vacation days + 13 RTT (for a 38.5h workweek)
- Meal vouchers or access to on-site dining
- Optional annual membership to the IRD social welfare association (leisure, cultural, and sports
activities) - €15/month contribution toward supplementary health insurance
Recruitment Timeline
- Application deadline: August 1, 2025
- Interviews: September 2025
- Preferred start date: October 2025
Application process:
Submit your CV, a cover letter (in English or French), and one publication via the dedicated online portal https://emploi-recrutement.ird.fr/offre-de-emploi/emploi-post-doctorat-projet-gouvernement-des-migrations-au-dela-des-frontieres-h-f_427.aspx
IRD, an Institute that brings meaning to your career
Your mission: contributing to science committed to a sustainable future.