Postdoctoral Fellowship DJIBOUTRAIL Research Project "Livestock and meat trade to and from Djib[...]

European Commission; France; Sur place; EUR 32 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research university in France is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a project focused on transdisciplinary study of livestock trade in Djibouti. The role involves field research, project participation, and data management. Candidates should have a PhD and applicable research experience. Proficiency in scientific French and knowledge of pastoral societies are essential. This position offers a one-year contract, starting October 1, 2025.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of transnational livestock movements required.
• Experience with qualitative data production methods essential.
• Good command of scientific French necessary.

Responsabilités

• Conduct field research on the pastoral economy in Djibouti.
• Participate in project team activities and knowledge co-production workshops.
• Manage and archive data collected from research.

Connaissances

Knowledge of pastoral societies

Qualitative methodology

Data management principles

Intercultural communication

Formation

PhD in anthropology

PhD in sociology

PhD in geography

Description du poste

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Organisation/Company Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne Department Direction des projets et de la prospective (D2P) Research Field Anthropology Sociology Geography Other Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 22 Aug 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2025 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

Offer of a one-year postdoctoral contract starting 1 October 2025, renewable for one year.

Salary: the salary will be determined by the Human Resources Department

Description of the employer and working environment

The DJIBOUTRAIL project is part of a broader programme (Sorb'rising) aimed at strengthening transdisciplinary research within Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (winner of the Excellences de France 2030 call for projects). Funded by Sorb'rising, under the support of the French National Research Agency (ANR), the project is led by Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. Within this framework, DJIBOUTRAIL brings together a transdisciplinary team of eight researchers (seven researchers from Paris 1 and one international researcher from the University of Djibouti) and is hosted by the PRODIG laboratory (UMR 8586).

The postdoctoral researcher recruited to join the DJIBOUTRAIL team will work under the supervision of the project leader (Alice Franck) and will be hosted by the PRODIG-UMR8586 laboratory (Condorcet Campus). He/she will be provided with a workstation at PRODIG and a research environment suited to the project.

Summary of the project

The DJIBOUTRAIL project aims to understand and shed light on the profound reconfigurations affecting the trade in livestock and meat products in the so-called Global South countries by approaching them from a multidisciplinary perspective based in Djibouti – a location situated on the margins of globalisation. The project therefore seeks to examine the contradiction between a strategic position that is widely valued through multiple investments and what now appears to be a missed opportunity for South-South globalisation in the livestock and meat trade.

It brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers from various social science backgrounds (geographers, economists, political scientists, lawyers, anthropologists) with experience in the subject and/or in the field, who propose to implement an original methodology. The aim is to lay the foundations for a larger-scale project on trade between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

The project is structured around three areas.

Axis 1: Transport (local, regional, international/formal and informal).

This area will involve identifying, characterising and analysing the various organisations and mechanisms involved in transporting animals and animal products from production areas to ports of disembarkation, via Djibouti.

Axis 2: Livestock traders, political economy.

This area will focus on the structure of the livestock trade in Djibouti and will seek to identify and understand the actors involved and the power relations that exist between them.

Axis 3: Regulation and standardisation.

This area will study how global standards circulate, are imposed, reappropriated locally, or circumvented in a context of endemic Rift Valley fever and where embargoes on livestock from Somalia and Somaliland have allowed Djibouti to emerge in this market. Beyond health standards, this axis will also pay particular attention to animal welfare standards (AWS) and halal export standards.

The project proposes to deploy a pluralistic methodological approach that is open to non-academic actors. After an initial phase of collecting existing data wherever it is accessible, most of the original data will be produced through interviews (semi-structured, structured, life stories), floating observation, participant observation, and measurement tools (questionnaires, counts, mapping). Participatory knowledge-building workshops will enable the mobilisation of actors at every level of the livestock trade chain: farmers, traders, veterinarians, transporters, etc. Knowledge building will also rely on images, using a minimalist approach according to Meyer & Papinot (2017), which will increase researchers' capacities, create conversational aids for interviews, and produce original material for descriptive and explanatory work.

The successful candidate will havethree main tasks:

Conducting field research in Djibouti on the pastoral economy, focusing on at least two of the project's three interdisciplinary research areas (see description of areas above). He/she will also be responsible for carrying out an exploratory mission (in Jeddah and/or Dubai) accompanied by another member of the project with a view to rolling out a future large-scale project on the movement of livestock and meat products between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

The candidate will be expected to participate in the project team, particularly during key events (joint missions, knowledge co-production workshops, feedback events for respondents, closing event).

To play a central role in the management, exploitation and archiving of the data collected and produced. He or she will be involved in adjusting and strengthening the transdisciplinary methodological framework with a view to submitting a large-scale project proposal.

Planned activities:

• Participate in conducting research on the pastoral economy in Djibouti (anthropology, geography, economics, etc.) in connection with the work carried out within the team.
• Finalise and submit a personal article on the research to a peer-reviewed journal.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of transdisciplinary research methodologies within the project: development, adjustment, monitoring.
• Contribute to the drafting of the data management plan and the management of data produced and collected by the project.
• Take charge of the methodological aspects of image production and train the team in methods for producing, processing and archiving field data (particularly visual data).
• Participate in the organisation of scientific events for the project.
• Participate in the drafting of the project that will follow DJIBOUTRAIL

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Anthropology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Sociology Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Geography Education Level PhD or equivalent

Research Field Other Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Knowledge

• In-depth knowledge of pastoral societies, transnational livestock movements and livestock markets. Research experience in these areas is essential.
• Data production methods and tools: qualitative methodology (interviews, observations, audio-visual research methods)
• Legal and ethical framework for research: knowledge of FAIR principles and applicable rules on data management (GDPR, etc.)
• Techniques for long-term archiving of research data: experience ensuring mastery of Humanum tools and services (Omeka S and Nakala) is a significant asset.
• The working language of the project is French. A good level of scientific French is required.
• One of the languages spoken in the region would be welcome

Skills

• Ability to work in an intercultural and interdisciplinary environment
• Ability to develop and maintain networks and partnerships
• Ability to locate, catalogue, analyse and critique data (ability to judge the relevance of data or sources)
• Proficiency in software specific to the activities (processing and management of qualitative and quantitative data, processing of photographs)
• Ability to organise and coordinate working groups and participatory activities, and report on their work
• Proficiency in scientific writing and communication techniques

Interpersonal skills

• Initiative and autonomy
• Enjoy working in a team and have a collaborative spirit
• Ability to anticipate and adapt in difficult situations

Desired education

• Level of education: PhD in anthropology, sociology, geography, or more broadly in social sciences

Languages FRENCH Level Good

Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Selection process

The application must include :

Candidates must send their application by e-mail to

Interviews to be scheduled : week of 12 September.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute PRODIG Pôle de recherche pour l'organisation et la diffusion de l'information géographique, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne Country France City Aubervilliers Postal Code 93 222 Street 5 cours des Humanités Geofield