Postdoctoral Project – Socio-Technical Imaginaries and Engineering Practices for a Just Energy [...]

INSA Rennes; France; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A research institution in Brittany seeks a post-doctoral researcher to study environmental injustices within energy transition projects. The role involves conducting case studies, engaging with stakeholders, and producing academic content. Candidates must have a PhD in social sciences and proficiency in French and English. This full-time position offers a fixed remuneration and will start as soon as possible from January 5, 2026.

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a PhD in social sciences and demonstrate interest in technical and engineering worlds.
• Fieldwork experience and familiarity with engineering environments are assets.
• Proficiency in both French and English is required.

Responsabilités

• Conduct two case studies on contested energy transition projects in Brittany.
• Contribute to critical reflection on establishing a just transition.
• Produce academic content based on postdoctoral research findings.

Connaissances

Experience in fieldwork

Interest in technical and engineering worlds

Teamwork skills

Mentoring skills

Familiarity with participatory research methods

Formation

PhD in social sciences (sociology, STS, political science, etc.)

Description du poste

Offer Description

Context and Project

The energy transition in Brittany is increasingly conflictual, with many controversies over offshore and onshore wind power, methanation, and the potential (re)opening of rare and/or critical metal mines. While these issues have often been studied through the lens of “social acceptance,” the ERVAT e Breizh project (Study of Representations, Values and Attachments for a Just Transition in Brittany) approaches them through the lens of environmental injustices arising from transition policies, building on literature from the Global South (Blanc, 2020; Kumar et al., 2021). The post‑doctoral researcher will conduct case studies in Brittany, documenting how technological practices contribute to the production of environmental injustices within the energy transition. The research combines theoretical development—linked with other ERVAT projects such as “Rethinking Concrete in the Sustainable City” and “Justice and Injustice in the Reindustrialization of Port Areas”—and applied collaboration with institutional and industrial stakeholders to propose more democratic and equitable approaches to infrastructure design. This project also aims to secure follow‑up funding for participatory or action‑oriented research.

General Objectives

• Conduct two case studies on contested energy transition projects in Brittany, focusing on engineering practices, values, representations, and imaginaries.
• Contribute to critical reflection on how to establish a just transition from territorial perspectives, particularly within industrial contexts.
• Contribute to the submission of regional and/or national research projects (ANR, ADEME, etc.) and seek partnerships to strengthen the ERVAT exploration.

Detailed Tasks

1. Ethnography of Engineering Worlds in the Breton Energy Transition

   Identify two case studies of particular interest due to their high conflict levels or significant environmental injustices or ethical dilemmas. Investigate engineering communities to identify how technical artifacts participate in producing justice or injustice. Connect these dynamics to specific engineering decisions, emphasizing how materiality, socio‑technical imaginaries, and technological choices and constraints shape these outcomes.

2. Participation in Research Coordination and Theoretical Development on “Just Transition” from the Territories

   Contribute to the state of the art on “just transition” and further develop the lab’s literature review on environmental justice. Participate in ERVAT research coordination with the exploration lead. Present and discuss findings with stakeholders and communities. Supervise an intern focusing on a case study.

3. Scientific Production and Dissemination

   Produce academic content based on postdoctoral research findings.

Hosting Conditions and Supervision

The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted at INSA Rennes (LFPC – Critical Thinking Factory Laboratory) and integrated into the ERVAT team. They will collaborate with public institutions and industrial partners within shared research projects or commissioned studies.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD in the social sciences (sociology, STS, political science, philosophy, geography, etc.) and demonstrate interest in technical and engineering worlds. They must be capable of engaging with Science and Technology Studies frameworks and handling technical engineering content. Fieldwork experience, innovative and/or participatory research methods, and familiarity with engineering environments are assets. Adaptability, teamwork, and mentoring skills are valued. Proficiency in French and English is required.

Languages

• English – Good
• French – Good

Additional Information

• Selection process: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted no later than December 16, 2025.
• Start date: as soon as possible from January 5, 2026
• Full‑time position
• Fixed remuneration

Our recruitment is based on skills, without distinction of origin, age, or gender, and all our positions are open to people with disabilities.