Postdoc in Sociology or Political Science

As a leading general engineering school of the IMT-Institut Mines-Télécom, France's leading group of engineering schools, IMT Atlantique's ambition is to accompany transitions, train responsible engineers and place scientific and technical excellence at the service of teaching, research and innovation.

As part of the project to evaluate regional support mechanisms for lifestyle changes, which aims to assess the effects of experiments on local communities and on the organizations implementing this new approach, we are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher within the College of Ecological and Societal Transitions.

In collaboration with the project team, you will undertake a scientific evaluation of the experimental system that has been put in place, drawing on contributions from the sociology of practices and territorial social innovation. You will analyze the effects produced on the territories and organizations involved, exploring in particular: changes in practices (project management, local stakeholder system, etc.), the conditions for changing practices according to themes and social groups, the conditions for deploying social innovation, and the transformation of public and collective action in the territories. You will capitalize on and promote the results among stakeholders.

Job description for more information

Minimum education and/or experience required:

• PhD obtained less than 3 years before date of hire in sociology / political sciences

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Significant knowledge of sociology of practices, local public policies, ecological public policies, local social innovation

• Experience in qualitative and quantitative studies, participant studies.

• Excellent command of French

• Relevant research experience and openess to interdisciplinary academic collaborations.

Abilities and skills :

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Excellent writing skills

• Organizational skills. 

• Autonomy in the conduct of the field survey

• Interest in action research approaches

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment

• Sufficient knowledge in English to read scientific works in English

APPLICATION DOCUMENT

• Detailed CV which includes a list of works and publications

• Cover letter

• Thesis report and thesis defence report

• Two representative publications of conducted researches.

WHY JOIN US

👉 Extensive research experience in the target field

👉 Friendly working environment in a dynamic team

👉 Stimulating innovation ecosystem (startups, students, research, companies)

👉 Collaboration with leading research organizations

👉 Collaboration with industry

THE PLUS

• Partial teleworking possible

• On-site catering

• Coverage of public transport

• Sustainable mobility package (for carpooling or cycling)

• Family supplement

• Wide range of social benefits

• Many vacations

For further information :

• About the position missions:

  • Ludovic Bertina, Deputy Director of the College of Ecological and Societal Transitions : Ludovic.bertina@imt-atlantique.fr

  • Sarah Ghaffari, Professor : Sarah.Ghaffari@imt-atlantique.fr

  
  

• About the administrative/HR aspects: Fanny BERNARD - Recruitment assistant : fanny.bernard@imt-atlantique.fr

Application deadline: January 4, 2026

Start of the contract: April 2026
Recruitment interview: Week 3

Legal Notice :

• Type and duration of contract *: Fixed-term (24 months) public-law contract or secondment on a renewable contract for civil servants

• Location of the position :

  • IMT Atlantique Nantes campus - 4 rue Alfred Kaslter, La Chantrerie, 44307 Nantes

• For internal use :

  • Job-category : II P

  • Category and profession of applicants :

    • • II : D, E, F, G, H, I, R

      • III : J1, J2, K, L, M

• Positions offered for recruitment are open to all, with special arrangements available on request for candidates with disabilities*

• Position open to civil servants and/or persons on contract

• All applications may be subject to an administrative enquiry