Postdoc in Public Law & Democracy Studies

Aix-Marseille Université; France; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

€2,700 gross/month

Job summary

L’Observatoire sur la Justice et la Démocratie de l’Aix-Marseille Université recrute un post-doctorant pour mener des recherches empiriques et théoriques sur les liens entre justice, démocratie et État de droit.

Le/la candidat(e) travaillera au sein d’un réseau international et contribuera à des publications scientifiques ainsi qu’au développement de projets européens (ANR, Horizon Europe). Poste à temps plein, contrat temporaire, début 1er mars 2027.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a doctorate in one of the disciplines listed (or interface of several).
• Ability to conduct research in French and English (publications in both languages).
• Aptitude for networking and leading interdisciplinary projects.
• Strong writing skills and ability to produce summaries accessible to non-specialist audiences.
• Knowledge of French and comparative judicial and political institutions.
• Interest in history of democracy, rule of law and justice at national and European levels.

Responsibilities

• Research: conduct or coordinate empirical and comparative studies on democracy, justice and rule of law.
• Scientific coordination: coordinate the network of young researchers and maintain links with institutional partners.
• Training and dissemination: participate in design of educational and mediation materials and promote the Observatory's work.

Skills

Research methods

Bilingual FR/EN

Networking

Strong writing

Knowledge of institutions

Interest in democracy history

Education

PhD or equivalent in relevant field

PhD in Public law

PhD in History of law

PhD in Contemporary history

PhD in Political science

PhD in Philosophy of law

PhD in Political sociology

Job description

Organisation/Company Aix-Marseille Université Research Field Juridical sciences » Public law History » History of law History » Contemporary history Philosophy » Philosophy of law Sociology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 11 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2027 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

Context and challenges In a context of rising populism and growing distrust towards democratic institutions, the question of the relationship between justice, the rule of law and democratic life is at the heart of contemporary political and legal debates. The Observatory on Justice and Democracy is designed to produce an empirical, theoretical and comparative analysis of these relationships, for researchers, public decision-makers and the general public.

THE OBSERVATORY ON JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY

The Observatory on Justice and Democracy is one of the three interdisciplinary observatories of the JustiCité Institute. Its mission is to analyse, from an empirical, theoretical and comparative standpoint, the various questions raised by the challenges and the future of democracy and constitutional justice.

Its activities are organised around three complementary pillars:

• Conducting empirical and theoretical studies on democracy, its perception by political authorities and citizens, and the threats it faces
• Creating an international network of specialised young researchers, linking French, European and international research
• Producing accessible communication materials for civic education teachers and the general public

The Observatory is designed to serve as an interface between academic research and civil society, political institutions and educational circles, producing expertise that is usable and disseminable beyond the academic world alone.

Main responsibilities

The recruited post-doctoral researcher will be associated with the Observatory's research activities. Their responsibilities will cover three dimensions:

Research

• Conduct or coordinate empirical and comparative studies on the relationships between justice, democracy and the rule of law
• Analyse mechanisms for guaranteeing the rule of law from a comparative (France, Europe, the Americas) and historical perspective
• Study citizens' perceptions of democratic and judicial institutions through qualitative and/or quantitative surveys
• Contribute to scientific publications and Observatory reports
• Contribute to the development of national and/or European research projects (ANR, Horizon Europe, Justice programme)

Scientific coordination

• Coordinate the network of young researchers assembled around the Observatory
• Maintain regular links with institutional partners (national and European)

Training and dissemination

• Participate in the design of educational and scientific mediation materials
• Contribute to training and public awareness activities on democratic issues
• Promote the Observatory's work to media, institutions and civil society organisations

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Juridical sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field History » History of law Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field History » Contemporary history Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Political sciences Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Philosophy » Philosophy of law Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Sociology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Education and experience

Candidates must hold a doctorate in one of the following disciplines, or at the interface of several of them:

• Public law (constitutional law, European law or international law)
• History of law
• Contemporary history, recent history
• Political science (political theory, comparative politics, study of institutions)
• Philosophy of law and political philosophy
• Political sociology or sociology of institutions

Prior post-doctoral research experience or professional experience connected to democratic or jurisdictional institutions will be an asset.

Required skills

• Command of research methods in comparative law, political theory or social sciences
• Ability to conduct research in French and English (publications expected in both languages)
• Aptitude for networking and leading interdisciplinary projects
• Strong writing skills and ability to produce summaries accessible to non-specialist audiences
• Knowledge of French and comparative judicial and political institutions
• Interest in the history of democracy, the rule of law and justice (national and European levels)

Additional Information

In accordance with the national post-doctoral contract scale (approximately €2,700 gross/month depending on experience).

The post-doctoral researcher will benefit from a research environment within Aix-Marseille University, with access to documentary resources and the national and international academic networks of the JustiCité Institute.

Institutional partners envisaged for the Observatory include notably:

• The Constitutional Council, the Council of State and the Court of Cassation
• European institutions
• The René Cassin Foundation and the Camp des Milles memorial site
• Local authorities and civil society organisations engaged in promoting citizenship
• European university networks (CIVIS, Jean Monnet network)

Subject line: "Application – Post-doc – Observatory Justice and Democracy"

The application file must include: a detailed CV including a list of publications and communications, a cover letter (max. 2 pages) and an outline of the proposed research project (max. 3 pages).