Postdoctoral researcher in Education Sciences

Université de Bourgogne (University of Burgundy); France; Hybrid; EUR 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

Université de Bourgogne (University of Burgundy) invites applications for a 36‑month postdoctoral position in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). The successful candidate will lead the research on high-school competencies, coordinate a multi-institution project group, and supervise fieldwork and data analysis in the Burgundy region.

Applicants should hold a PhD in Education Sciences, with strong ESD experience and demonstrated ability to manage complex educational research

Qualifications

• PhD in Education Sciences obtained within the last three years.
• Strong expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).
• Field experience in data collection in secondary schools; knowledge of Dijon Academy Rectorate.

Responsibilities

• Define theoretical framework and coordinate project group.
• Lead data collection activities including fieldwork and surveys.
• Supervise data analysis and prepare project deliverables.
• Disseminate findings through reports, seminars and publications.

Skills

ESD expertise

Field data collection

Stakeholder coordination

Qualitative & quantitative methods

Education

PhD in Education Sciences (within last 3 years)

Tools

Statistical software

Job description

Organisation/Company Université de Bourgogne (University of Burgundy) Department Education Research Field Educational sciences » Education Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 18 Dec 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 18 Jan 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 Institute for Research on Education (IREDU), affiliated with the INSPE (National Higher Institute for Teaching and Education). INSPE is a component of the University of Burgundy Europe (UBE) dedicated to education, training, teaching, and culture, with extensive responsibilities in both teaching and research.

IREDU conducts research on issues related to effectiveness and equity in education, from secondary to higher education. It also serves as a regional associated center of Céreq (Centre for Studies and Research on Qualifications), with many researchers working on graduate employability and education-to-employment transitions.

Research Project and Field

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is driven by a political commitment to transform society by supporting the ecological transition and promoting sustainable development. Its objective is to equip young people with the competencies needed to adopt responsible behaviors regarding sustainability challenges. Due to the diversity of teaching situations, interdisciplinarity, and the cross‑curricular nature of this form of education, assessment has largely been limited to local initiatives. Effective academic steering requires a more statistically robust evaluation approach.

This 36‑month research project aims to assess the competencies acquired by high school students, particularly those enrolled in vocational education pathways, in relation to the recently introduced national Sustainable Development framework. The project will also examine students’ sense of self‑efficacy in contributing to current societal transitions and their intention to act responsibly regarding sustainability issues through their professional preferences.

The study will involve 6,000 high school students in the Burgundy region. It is based on a university‑academic authority consortium, implemented through collaborative project‑group work involving policy leaders, implementation managers, and researchers. The project is supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR) under the Science With and For Society (SAPS) label.

As part of this multi‑year research project on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in schools, the postdoctoral researcher will provide scientific leadership during the first two years of the project (2027‑2028). Responsibilities include defining the theoretical framework, coordinating the project group, conducting fieldwork (interviews and school visits), analysing data, and producing project deliverables.

Preparation of the Research Framework

• Define the theoretical and conceptual framework of the study.
• Co‑organise the project timeline; define methods and tools with the scientific team; participate in team meetings.
• Prepare and oversee project‑group meetings established by the steering committee.
• Manage a collaborative platform for information and document sharing.
• Participate in the steering committee comprising the Academic Policy Directorate (DAP), ESD mission leaders, the Academic Unit for Research, Development, Innovation and Experimentation (CARDIE), and the scientific coordinator.
• Present strategic decisions, research organisation plans, and project progress reports to the steering committee.
• Define, with the steering committee and project group, the survey population and data collection procedures.
• Support the implementation of innovative experiments conducted in schools, particularly those subject to evaluation, in collaboration with CARDIE.
• Develop and test research instruments (questionnaires, interview guides, and school‑visit protocols).
• Schedule fieldwork and surveys.

Data Collection

• Conduct field surveys, including questionnaire administration, interviews with 21 ESD coordinators and 30 students, and school visits.
• Collaborate with the Statistical Department of the Rectorate to match databases and collect relevant information.

Data Analysis

• Supervise database preparation (data entry, cleaning, coding, matching, presentation, anonymisation) in cooperation with the Rectorate’s statistical unit.
• Conduct statistical analyses, including modelling, and analyse transcribed interviews.
• Support project‑group members in understanding and applying analytical methods, tools, and interpretation methodologies within a research‑based learning approach.

Dissemination of Results

• Produce project reports and deliverables.
• Contribute to scientific and academic dissemination activities (research seminars, journal articles, conferences, etc.).
• Present findings to project partners through institutional meetings organised by the Rectorate, information sessions, professional development activities, and project‑group events.

Project Timeline

• January to August 2027 : Development of data collection instruments (questionnaires and interview guides), School visits, Interim progress report
• September 2027 to May 2028 : Data collection, Conducting interviews, Interim progress report
• June 2028 to June 2029 : Data analysis and dissemination of results, Final project report

Key Stakeholders: Schools within the Dijon Academy; the Dijon Academy Rectorate; the Institute for Research on Education (IREDU).

Applicants must have obtained a PhD in Education Sciences within the last three years and demonstrate: Strong expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Field experience in data collection within secondary schools, Good knowledge of the Dijon Academy Rectorate, its governance structures, and stakeholders, which would be highly desirable for establishing and coordinating the project group.

Technical Skills

• Strong command of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies (interviews, questionnaires, statistical and thematic analysis).
• Proficiency in data‑analysis tools (statistical and/or qualitative analysis software).
• Excellent academic writing skills for producing scientific deliverables and reports aimed at institutional partners.
• Ability to organise and manage research projects and coordinate multi‑institutional teams or project groups.
• Strong organisational skills and autonomy.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills when working with researchers, school leaders, ESD coordinators, students, and institutional partners.
• Scientific rigor and adherence to research ethics standards (GDPR compliance, data anonymisation).

Specific Requirements

Regular travel to participating schools is required. A valid Category B driving licence is therefore essential. Travel expenses related to fieldwork and scientific events connected to the project will be covered by the project budget.

Languages FRENCH Level Excellent

Research Field Educational sciences » Education

Additional Information

• The postdoctoral researcher will be based within the IREDU research laboratory.
• Professional obligations include confidentiality regarding all laboratory activities and research.

The postdoctoral researcher will be bound by professional confidentiality concerning both the research project and any other laboratory activities they may become aware of. Written or oral publications and communications relating to the research may only be made with the prior approval of the project’s scientific coordinator. All publications and presentations must be co‑authored with the scientific coordinator, who is a permanent member of the laboratory.

Any research outcomes, whether patentable or not, shall remain the exclusive property of the laboratory, which reserves the right to file patents in its own name to protect inventions resulting from the research.

The position is subject to funding approval and may become available once funding is secured.

• Category A civil‑service equivalent
• Expected start date: 18 January 2027
• Contract duration: 1 year, renewable
• Full‑time position
• Remote work possible after the integration period and subject to project requirements
• Salary: from €2,289.10 gross per month (see postdoctoral salary reference sheet)

Selection process

• The application package must include:
  • A complete CV (education, certifications, professional and academic experience, major publications, internships, etc.)
  • A cover letter
  • The PhD defence report

Recruitment timelines may be affected by the candidate’s nationality due to administrative procedures involving prefectures and consulates. Delays may also arise from the specific context of the host laboratory (Restricted Access Area, Sensitive Research Unit, etc.), which may require prior clearance from the Defence and Security Officer (FSD).