Assistant/Associate Professor of computational sociology of work - permanent contract

Who are we?

Télécom Paris, a school of the IMT (Institut Mines-Télécom) and a founding member of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, is one of the top 5 French general engineering schools.

The guiding mission of Télécom Paris is to train, imagine and undertake to design digital models, technologies and solutions for a society and economy that respect people and their environment.

This is a permanent, tenured position as Associate Professor, based at Télécom Paris (Grande Ecole), Institut Polytechnique de Paris. The successful candidate will also be appointed as Research Associate at i3 (Institut Interdisciplinaire de l’Innovation), a research unit of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). This is a permanent academic position under French public law. The successful candidate will conduct research and teach in the sociology of work, using computational social sciences approaches.

The position involves the following key research activities:

• Contribute to the department’s research themes, particularly in areas of organizations, work, environment,

and AI

• Apply diverse research methodologies including qualitative and quantitative approaches, network

analysis, digital trace analysis, and computational sociology

• Engage with international research networks and collaborations

Duties related to teaching include:

• Deliver courses in general sociology, digital sociology, and Science and Technology Studies (STS)

• Integrate computational methods into social science education

• Contribute to curriculum development in digital social sciences

While French language skills are not required at the time of hiring, candidates should demonstrate a willingness to learn French to participate fully in the academic community.

SCIENTIFIC CONTEXT

The Department of Social and Economic Sciences (SES) at T´el´ecom Paris has been a key part of the institution for over four decades, reflecting its long-standing commitment to integrating social sciences into engineering education. Within this department, sociology has been a cornerstone, building the school’s national and international reputation in social sciences. Recent faculty departures have created an opportunity to realign the department’s focus with emerging trends in engineering education and research.

Globally, there is increasing student interest in studying the social aspects of technology, particularly regarding economic and environmental challenges, including AI-related risks. This shift demands a transition toward data-driven sociology and advanced mixed methods (including ML modeling, NLP, and large-scale socio-digital network analysis).

This faculty renewal represents an opportunity to elevate social science research at Télécom Paris, following prestigious models like the Oxford Internet Institute, Cambridge’s CRASSH, and Berlin’sWeizenbaum Institute. The aim is to produce leading research on societal changes driven by digital technologies, focusing on: - AI’s impact on work and public policy - Intersection of ecological and digital transitions - Evolution of social relationships.

This approach is already yielding results, with publications in major journals (Big Data and Society, Internet Policy Review) and conferences (FAccT, AIES, CHI), and faculty members contributing to EU AI policy frameworks.

Applicants should hold a PhD in either Sociology or Computer Science. Candidates from related social science fields (Economics, Philosophy, Information Systems, Media Studies, Law, or Anthropology) or relevant computer science specializations (Human-Computer Interaction, Social Computing, Machine Learning for social data analysis, or Data Science) are also encouraged to apply.

Candidates must demonstrate a proven track record in research project design and execution, including international experience. The position requires expertise in diverse research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, network analysis, analysis of digital platform data and user interactions, and computational social science methods.

Why join us?
You'll be working in a fast-growing, pleasant, green and accessible environment (particularly for people with disabilities) just 20 km from Paris (RER B and C, close to major roads, shared shuttle service from Porte d'Orléans). You will benefit from :

• 49 days' annual leave (CA + RTT)

• Flexible working hours (depending on the department's activity)

• Teleworking 1 to 3 days/week possible

• 75% reimbursement of public transport season ticket

• Proximity to numerous sports facilities, concierge service, underground car park, in-house catering, etc.

• Staff association at school and department level

• Good to know: our social security contributions are lower than in the private sector
  
  

How to apply

To apply, please send the following

• a full, detailed curriculum vitae (max 2 pages),

• a covering letter,

• an activity report (table of activities) on research (supervision, problems, etc.), teaching teaching (title, volume, etc.) and collective tasks (max 4 pages)

• a teaching description (summary of activities, a brief plan for integration into university teaching and continuing education) teaching at university level and continuing education) (max 4 pages)

• a research description (summary and results of activities, a brief plan for integration into research) research) (max 4 pages)

• a copy of the 3 best publications, list of publications

• the names and addresses of two qualified personalities who can give an informed opinion on the application.

Key Dates

• February 17, 2025: Submission deadline for applications.

• March 21, 2025: Initial screening and interviews of qualified candidates

• April 10, 2025: Job interviews with shortlisted candidates.

• September 1, 2025 (or as soon as mutually feasible): Position start date.

Informal inquiries about this position are welcomed and should be directed to: Prof. Antonio Casilli (antonio.casilli@telecom-paris.fr) or Dr. Tiphaine Viard (tiphaine.viard@telecom-paris.fr)

Full job description here.

Telecom Paris is an equal-opportunity employer.
All our positions are open to individuals with disabilities.