Postdoc Position: Tourism Massification and Migration in Marseille

Aix Marseille University; France; On-site; EUR 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Aix-Marseille University, Mesopolhis Research Lab, invites applications for a one-year postdoc in Marseille focusing on the project "Mediterranean Dreaming: Tourism Massification and Migration in Maritime Cities." The project will collect ethnographic and qualitative data on urban transformations and local attitudes in three Mediterranean cities—Marseille, Barcelona, and Vlora.

The position requires a PhD in Anthropology, Human Geography, Urban Sociology, or Political Science, fluency in French

Qualifications

• PhD in Anthropology, Human Geography, Urban Sociology, or Political Science is required.
• Fluency in French and excellent knowledge of English are required.
• A background in French studies is required.
• Experience conducting ethnographic research in Marseille (France) is strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting policy analysis is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Marseille's history, culture, and/or politics is preferred.
• The ability to write academic articles and present at academic conferences in French and English is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original ethnographic/qualitative research in Marseille that will contribute to the main research project.
• Meet bi-weekly with the principal investigator and attend monthly research team meetings.
• Help organize three international workshops on topics related to the project’s mission.
• Take the lead on organizing the workshop in Marseille.
• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and coding of content for the blog and the project’s data repository.
• Help disseminate the research project’s findings through publications and conference presentations, in collaboration with other project team members.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants

Skills

French fluency

English proficiency

Qualitative/ethnographic methods

Policy analysis

Education

PhD in Anthropology, Human Geography, Urban Sociology, or Political Science

Tools

Atlas.ti

Job description

Organisation/Company Aix Marseille University Department MMSH / Mesopolhis Research Field Anthropology Geography Sociology Political sciences » Policy studies Researcher Profile Other Profession Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 20 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 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

The Mesopolhis Lab (Centre Méditerranéen de Sociologie, de Science Politique, et d'Histoire) is hiring a postdoc to conduct research for the project "Mediterranean Dreaming: Tourism Massification and Migration in Maritime Cities." The project explores the following questions:

• How are tourism massification and migration transforming contemporary Mediterranean cities?
• How are municipalities regulating tourism and migration through urban policies and planning?
• How are residents experiencing the effects of these policies and economic realities?
• What imaginaries of the Mediterranean city emerge through these official policies and grassroots movements?

The project will collect ethnographic and qualitative data on urban transformations and local attitudes in three Mediterranean cities—Marseille (France), Barcelona (Spain), and Vlora (Albania). The project will contribute to urban studies and anthropological research on the Mediterranean by documenting current transformations in Mediterranean cities amid increased migration and tourism.

PRINCIPAL PROJECT ACTIVITIES OF THE POSTDOC :

A postdoc will join a research team and contribute to the main research project, focusing specifically on Marseille. The position is for 1 year with the possibility of renewal for 1 more year.

The primary research activities include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting original ethnographic/qualitative research in Marseille that will contribute to the main research project.
• Meet bi-weekly with the principal investigator and attend monthly research team meetings.
• Help organize three international workshops on topics related to the project’s mission.
• Take the lead on organizing the workshop in Marseille.
• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and coding of content for the blog and the project’s data repository.
• Help disseminate the research project’s findings through publications and conference presentations, in collaboration with other project team members.
• Collaborate with principal investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and research assistants

EXPECTED RESULTS:

• Serve as the lead organizer of a workshop on touristification and migration to be held in Marseille in 2027-2028.
• Regularly write articles and edit content for the project blog and data repository.
• Write and submit 1 manuscript of an article for publication in a peer-reviewed journal (also in collaboration with the principal investigator and other team members) by the end of the 1-year contract.

Requirements

Research Field Other Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Professional and technical skills:

• PhD in Anthropology, Human Geography, Urban Sociology, or Political Science is required
• Fluency in French and excellent knowledge of English are required.
• A background in French studies is required.
• Experience conducting ethnographic research in Marseille (France) is strongly preferred.
• Experience conducting policy analysis is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Marseille's history, culture, and/or politics is preferred.
• The ability to write academic articles and present at academic conferences in French and English is preferred.

Specific Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with qualitative/ethnographic methods and/or policy analysis are required.
• Experience with qualitative data analysis software such as Atlas.ti is preferred.
• The ability to collaborate in an international and multilingual academic setting is preferred.

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Anthropology » Cultural anthropologySociology » Urban sociologyGeography » Human geographyPolitical sciences » Policy studies Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is a multidisciplinary university organized around five major academic areas (Arts, Literature, Languages, and Humanities; Law and Political Science; Economics and Management; Health; Science and Technology; and a multidisciplinary unit). AMU educates 80,000 students across 17 constituent units (faculties, schools, institutes), spread across four departments (04, 05, 13, and 84) and 10 cities (learn more: www.univ-amu.fr ). AMU video: https://youtu.be/7-Hrtn-l2Qk

The diversity of its campuses allows the university to offer unique career opportunities today.

The position is for 1 year renewable for 1 more year. Salary is based on experience [€2,616.35/month (Gross amount), depending upon qualification and expertise].

Eligibility criteria

• PhD in Anthropology, Human Geography, Urban Studies, Urban Sociology, or related fields.
• Fluency in French and excellent knowledge of English.
• 3 Names of References (to be contacted at a later stage of the application process)

Applications will be accepted until November 20, 2026. The position is set to start on February 1, 2027.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Aix-Marseille University, Mesopolhis Research Lab Country France State/Province Bouche de Rhone City Aix-en-Provence Postal Code 13097 Street 5, rue du Château de l'Horloge CS, 90412