18-month position: Research engineer in institutional history

Aix-Marseille Université; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 50 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious research university in France is seeking a Research Engineer to contribute to the history and prospects of Iméra. In this full-time role, you will document and promote the history of Iméra through interviews and articles, and create an alumni network. A PhD in History or Sociology is required, alongside strong knowledge in database management and historical research methods. Proficiency in both English and French is essential, as you will collaborate with an international team.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in History or Sociology is required.
• Experience in documenting and archiving historical sources is necessary.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in English and French.

Responsabilités

• Lead documentation and promotion of Iméra's history.
• Conduct interviews and write scientific articles.
• Create and manage an alumni network for Iméra.

Connaissances

Knowledge of the history of academic institutions

Methods for researching and cataloguing historical sources

Ability to write reports and scientific publications

Database management systems

Proficiency in English

Proficiency in French

Formation

PhD or equivalent in History or Sociology

Outils

Data processing and analysis tools

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Aix-Marseille Université Research Field History Sociology Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Other Positions Country France Application Deadline 30 Jan 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 2 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

In preparation for the twentieth anniversary of Iméra, the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) of Aix Marseille Université, the research engineer will make a significant contribution to a collective project focusing on the history, current activities, positioning and prospects of Iméra.

This will involve documentation, reflection, storytelling as well as original and creative promotion. It will be carried out at national and international level, in close collaboration with the scientific team and the working group (experts, scholars and artists) responsible for designing and implementing this collective project.

Documentation and archiving work

Identifying, cataloguing, describing, listing and contextualising textual, graphic, iconographic and audio documentary sources relating to the history of Iméra, on all types of media.

• Creating an Iméra archive in which the most important and significant of these sources will be stored and made accessible, in conjunction with the IT, digital and multimedia assistant.
• Using and promoting these sources quantitatively (data extraction, statistics, indicators) and qualitatively (individual trajectories, significant encounters and events, key moments).

Contribution to the creation of a series of textual, graphic and visual products that will recount the most significant strands of the history of Iméra.

• Conducting and promoting individual and group interviews with key figures in the history and current affairs of Iméra.
• Conducting and promoting individual and group interviews with fellows in residence at Iméra.
• Writing, as lead author, a scientific article in a peer-reviewed journal specialising in interdisciplinary studies and/or research policy. This article will be based on qualitative and quantitative research on ‘the Iméra formula’ in relation to the context of IASs. It will draw on the activities mentioned above and may be based on:
  • The experiences and perspectives of former fellows, as well as quantitative indicators of their success, thus providing empirical evidence of Iméra's success and the value of its approach.
  • A mixed approach combining in-depth interviews with fellows and a statistical analysis of the impact of their time at Iméra.
• Contributing to the organisation of events related to the celebration of Iméra's twentieth anniversary.

Contribution to the creation of an Iméra alumni network

• Providing a significant boost and contribution to the creation of an Iméra alumni network, in conjunction with the resident survey mentioned above.
• Helping define a strategy to attract donations from alumni in connection with the celebration of Iméra's twentieth anniversary.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field History Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Sociology » Other Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Doctorate, engineering degree in history or sociology (ideally history/sociology of institutions).
• Knowledge of the history of academic institutions (in-depth knowledge).
• An advantage would be to have already written an article or paper on the history of a research institution.
• Methods for researching and cataloguing historical and cultural sources (in-depth knowledge).
• Methods and tools for data production (in-depth knowledge).
• Methods and tools for data processing and analysis (in-depth knowledge).
• Database management systems (general knowledge).
• Long-term archiving of research data (application).
• Written and oral presentation techniques.
• Knowledge and/or practical experience of institutes for advanced study would be an advantage.

Specific Requirements

• Knowledge of the history of academic institutions (in-depth knowledge)
• Autonomy
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking
• Empathy
• openness to interculturality
• Ability to develop data collection tools (questionnaires, interviews, etc.).
• Ability to use a database.
• Ability to locate, catalogue, analyse and critique data (ability to judge the relevance of data or sources).
• Ability to formalise techniques and methods.
• Ability to write reports, documents and scientific publications.
• Ability to mobilise and lead networks.
• Proficiency in the English and French language.

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Additional Information

This is an opportunity to be in close contact with researchers and artists in residence from around the world and local fellows, selected on the basis of their excellence, spending 5 or 10 month on-site. The team is also international. The research engineer will be integrated into the interdisciplinary and international scientific team and will be able to attend most of the scientific and artistic activities organized on site, as well as the community-building seminar held every Thursday morning, which is an opportunity to discover the work of the fellows.

The workplace is located in the heart of Longchamp Park on one of the university's most privileged campuses.

Selection process

If the application is shortlisted, it will be subject to an interview with the Scientific Director, the Secretary General, and other members of the team.

Applicants must send:

• an academic CV,
• a selection of three (3) previously published articles
• and (if requested) additional materials related to a similar academic project