Postdoctoral Position in Sociology “Cooperative Labour & Intersectional Approaches to Power Rel[...]

Université de Strasbourg; France; Sur place; EUR 20 000 - 40 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading French university is offering a full-time postdoctoral position in Sociology focused on cooperative labour and intersectional power relations. The position is part of an ERC-funded project and entails developing a unique sub-project. Candidates should possess a PhD and demonstrate interest in feminist theories and qualitative research methods. Applications are due by December 15, 2025.

Prestations

Funding for research dissemination activities

Opportunity for remote work

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Sociology, Political Science, or Philosophy required.
• Experience with qualitative research methods expected.
• Interest in participatory research encouraged.

Responsabilités

• Propose and implement a sub-project on cooperative experiments.
• Participate in workshops and project activities.
• Publish findings in academic journals.

Connaissances

Proficiency in qualitative data collection and analysis

Strong interest in feminist theories

Ability to work independently

Communication skills for diverse audiences

Formation

PhD in Humanities or Social Sciences

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université de Strasbourg Department Direction des ressources humaines Research Field Sociology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 15 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Mar 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Postdoctoral position in Sociology (Qualitative Methods)

within the ERC-funded project WE-COOP on Labour, Gender, and Democracy “Cooperative Labour & Intersectional Approaches to Power Relations” 2 years (with possible 1-year extension)

The WE-COOP project is offering a full-time postdoctoral research position in Sociology. The postdoctoral researcher will participate in the analysis of cooperative work experiences by developing their own sub-project grounded in intersectional approaches to power relations. Hosted at the University of Strasbourg, the WE-COOP project is funded by a European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant and led by Jun.-Prof. Ada Reichhart (Principal Investigator).

• Title of post: Postdoctoral Position in Sociology “Cooperative Labour & Intersectional Approaches to Power Relations”
• Type of contract: Fixed term contract (35h/week)
• Category (A, B or C):
• Contract period: 2 years (with possible 1-year extension)
• Expected date of employment: March 2026 (flexible)
• Workplace: SAGE Laboratory (UMR 7363), University of Strasbourg, France
• Desired level of education: PhD
• Experience required: –
• Salary: commensurate with experience and in line with the University of Strasbourg salary scales
• Contact(s) for information on the position: Jun.-Prof. Ada Reichhart (Principal Investigator)
• [e-mail]

Date of publication: October 2025 Closing date for the receipt of applications: 15 December 2025

Research project

The WE-COOP project shifts our traditional androcentric perspective on workplace democracy by investigating the labour experiences of women in worker cooperatives. Studied for their high potential in the democratisation of labour relations, worker cooperatives have been systematically considered only from the perspective of class struggles. WE-COOP explores how and why worker cooperatives are also a locus where yet unexplored sets of representations, practices and justifications pertaining to women’s emancipation and gender equality at work are produced. Focusing on France as a case study, the project relies on a multi-layered survey of worker cooperatives as well as on rare forms of all-women cooperative experiments. It combines quantitative and qualitative methods with innovative participatory research in four incremental steps, allowing for the appropriation by women workers of their narratives and struggles.

Job description & Role

The postdoctoral researcher will propose and carry out their own sub-project, consisting in a specific study of a cooperative experiment (either from their own research sites – including those outside France – or from among the dozens of cases identified within the WE-COOP project) and grounded in intersectional approaches to power relations. The researcher will be expected to identify fields or contexts and main research questions in connection with their own interests (for e.g. industrial experiences, rural settings, women-only environments, feminised or male‑dominated occupations, marginalised groups, or self‑managed initiatives…). The aim of the sub-project is to contribute to bringing to light, together with the population concerned, marginalised work narratives. The use of radical feminist and participatory epistemologies is encouraged.

The postdoctoral researcher will join Phase 2 of the WE-COOP project, which is based on qualitative research with women workers in cooperatives (SCOPs) in France. Drawing on radical feminist epistemologies, the study aims to collect a series of interviews as oral archives of gendered experiences of workplace democracy, understood broadly as the production and reproduction of social life. Several case studies will be conducted as part of the itinerant research.

Responsibilities

• Implement and carry through the proposed sub-project.
• Participate in the activities of the WE-COOP project (group meetings, two participatory workshops with cooperative members).
• Present findings at international conferences, research seminars, and other scientific events.
• Write and submit articles to academic journals, with a preference for open-access publications.
• Contribute to the scientific life of the project, including organising research events (invited lectures, workshops, etc.).
• Participate in research dissemination activities.

Skills

• Education: PhD in a Humanities or Social Sciences discipline closely related to the project (Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy).
• Research profile demonstrating a strong interest in feminist theories and critical theories on labour. Interest in participatory research & radical feminist epistemologies.
• Proficiency in qualitative data collection and analysis (interviews, observations, etc.).

Other Skills

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team.
• Communication and facilitation skills suitable for diverse audiences.

Working context & Benefits

The postdoctoral researcher will be part of the SAGE laboratory (Sociétés, Acteurs, Gouvernement en Europe; UMR 7363) at the prestigious University of Strasbourg, renowned for the quality of its research and its international scope. An office space will be provided at the MISHA (Maison Interuniversitaire des Sciences de l'Homme d'Alsace) on the Esplanade campus situated in the city, with the possibility of working remotely depending on personal circumstances. They will be part of a supportive team, committed to professional development and intellectual discovery, and will have the opportunity to advance her/his own research career as part of this prestigious international research project. They will benefit from the support of the project's PI, collaborators, and network to develop her/his academic skills and career. They will benefit from additional dedicated funding for her/his research dissemination activities and participation in international scientific events.

Languages of the project

• English: Excellent oral and written communication skills for academic research.
• French: good oral and written communication skills.
• Additional languages are welcome.

How to apply?

Please send the following documents (in English or French) in a single PDF via e-mail to Jun.-Prof. Ada Reichhart ([e-mail] ) with "WE-COOP application" in the subject line:

• Letter of motivation describing your profile, your interest in the position, and the research sub-project you propose to carry out within WE-COOP (including your main research questions and the fields or contexts you are interested in) (2–3 pages).
• CV detailing your education and career path, language skills, publications and the contact information for 2 references who may be contacted during the recruitment process.
• Two writing samples sole author (can be work in progress).

Please submit these documents by 15 December 2025. We will consider all applications that meet these requirements. Informal enquiries about the position are welcome: Jun.-Prof. Ada Reichhart ([e-mail] ).

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute SAGE Laboratory (UMR 7363), University of Strasbourg, France Country France Geofield