Space Chair post-doc

Ecole Normale Supérieure; France; Sur place; EUR 40 000 - 55 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A prestigious research institution in Paris is seeking three researchers (two post-docs and one senior post-doc) for the ENS Space Chair to study the Earth-Space relationship. Candidates must hold a relevant PhD and demonstrate the ability to work on interdisciplinary projects. This full-time position offers opportunities for contributing to impactful research in the social sciences and space studies.

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant fields such as economics or sociology.
• Experience in multidisciplinary projects preferred.
• Knowledge of space-related research is a plus.

Responsabilités

• Conduct research on the Earth-Space relationship.
• Explore uses of outer space and its implications.
• Engage with diverse research communities.

Connaissances

Interdisciplinary research

Ability to work in teams

Formation

PhD or relevant research degree

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Ecole Normale Supérieure Research Field Sociology » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country France Application Deadline 1 Dec 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 1 Feb 2026 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 Ecole normale supérieure in Paris is recruiting three researchers (two post-docs + one senior post-doc) for its research Chair dedicated to Space

Launched in February 2024, the ENS Space Chair studies the Earth-Space relationship through the prism of the human and social sciences, in constant dialogue with scientific and technological developments in the space sector.

Its research activities will be structured around three axes (described in more detail here ).

• First axis: diversification of uses of outer space, evolution of representations of space, in particular in connection with these new uses and with developments in scientific knowledge of the solar system and beyond (discoveries of exoplanets, space exploration missions to other planets in the solar system, etc.).
• Second axis: how can we conceive of space as a "territory or common good" for humanity, and what are the resulting tensions? The Chair is particularly interested in the following double tension: tension between the ambition of a common good and the logic of commercial appropriation (of natural resources and of space as a circulation zone); tension between the ambition of a common good and the use of space as a stake and lever of sovereignty. In other words, how can we ensure that space emerges as a common good, in the economic and legal sense, in the face of, on the one hand, the multiplication of private uses of space and, on the other, the ambitions of states?
• Third axis: What contribution can space make to preserving the planet? And what sustainable uses of space?

The Chair's activities are characterized by a broad spectrum of interdisciplinarity, reflected in the diversity of PSL University's research communities (CERES , CIENS , CIEE , ENS Geosciences Department, ENS Chair in Geopolitics of Risk , Observatoire de Paris), which are directly involved in the Chair via its scientific steering committee.

Candidate profile

Candidates must hold a PhD (or have one by October 2025 at the latest) in one of the disciplines relevant to the Chair's research themes (economics, history, geopolitics, political science, philosophy, law, sociology, cybersecurity, geosciences, climate and environmental sciences, astronomy, etc.).

Please note: Candidates may, but need not, have already worked on research topics related to space. The Chair is also intended to encourage researchers to take space as a new field of study.

Ability to work within a multidisciplinary project is expected.

Duration: 1 year (renewable 6 months)- Full-time -

Salary: on request, depending on candidate's experience

The post-docs will work in Paris, at the Ecole normale supérieure. The Space Chair offices are located on the ENS rue d'Ulm campus, in the fifth arrondissement of Paris. They may also be attached to one of the ENS laboratories (or another PSL establishment), depending on their profile.