Visiting Fellows – Research Stay in Montpellier

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Résumé du poste

An international research institution in France is inviting applications for its Visiting Fellowship program, aimed at supporting researchers focusing on public policies and governance of transitions. Researchers from any nationality are welcome if they hold a PhD and have at least 5 years of research experience. The program offers comprehensive financial support, including travel, accommodation, and research costs for fellows. The deadline for applications is January 4, 2026.

Prestations

Round-Trip Travel support

Accommodation provided

Research funding of 1,500 euros

Qualifications

• Must hold a doctorate (PhD) and have at least 5 years of research experience.
• Must have an employment contract with a foreign university or research institution.

Responsabilités

• Conduct research related to public policies and transitions.
• Collaborate with other researchers at the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute.

Formation

PhD

Description du poste

Established Researcher (R3) (Researchers who have developed a level of independence)

Leading Researcher (R4) (Researchers leading their research area or field)

About

The “Visiting Fellowship” programme allows research units to host international researchers for stays of four to six months as part of the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions (MAK’IT) led by the University of Montpellier and its partners.

From 2025, the research themes will focus on public policies and the governance of transitions. Selected researchers will receive comprehensive financial and logistical support.

Collaborations with researchers hosted through the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions (MAK’IT) will contribute to the mission of the University of Montpellier and its partners. They will allow for the analysis and support of transitions towards sustainable development.

Contemporary societies are facing multiple, complex and cross-cutting challenges that question the sustainability of our development model and our ability to “live together as a society”. Whether it concerns environmental and climatic changes, demographic dynamics, political or technological developments – particularly those linked to digital technology – these changes are overturning our lifestyles as well as our models of production, consumption, work organisation, education, health, urban planning and mobility.

While these changes offer opportunities, they also carry risks of economic, political and social breakdown, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. They directly call into question the governance of our societies. Supporting transitions towards more sustainable and equitable development models has become a major challenge for public players and society as a whole.

The I-SITE of Montpellier offers a high-level research ecosystem on transitions towards sustainable development around its three pillars: feed, protect, and care. The aim of this programme is to welcome fellows working on the governance of transitions from a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral perspective. It is open to researchers in the social sciences and any other discipline – in particular life and earth sciences, modelling, digital, etc. – whose work provides essential expertise for understanding and managing transitions.

Priority themes for 2026

Particular – but not exclusive – attention will be given this year to three themes:

• One Health

The application must be supported by the management of a research unit within the scope of the I-SITE excellence program led by the University of Montpellier on behalf of a consortium of 16 partners from the Montpellier site. Find the list of eligible research units here.

Eligible Profiles for Hosting at MAK’IT

• Nationality: researchers of any nationality who have not resided in France for more than 12 months during the three years preceding the deadline for applications at the submission date.
• Tax residence: candidates must have their tax residence abroad.
• Level of qualification: candidates must hold a doctorate (PhD) and have at least 5 years of research experience after obtaining the Ph.D. at the time of their arrival.
• Professional affiliation: candidates must have an employment contract with a foreign university or research institution (other than a French research institution abroad) for the whole duration of their fellowship.
• Disciplines: all disciplines, including social sciences, engineering and life sciences.
• No prior knowledge of Montpellier is required: Researchers who have never benefited from mobility programs are welcome.

MAK’IT will not fund the hosting of individuals who have already received financial support from UM in the same academic year.

Support and Funding

The financial support provided by MAK’IT for each visiting fellow includes:

• Round-Trip Travel: Booked by MAK’IT (second class, economy class).
• Accommodation: Directly covered by MAK’IT for studio accommodation (Villa Leenhardt) near the Triolet campus.
• Relocation Expenses: Visas, home and civil liability insurance.
• Research Costs: funding available to the visiting fellow at the research unit (1 500 euros per researcher).

The guest researcher is responsible for obtaining compulsory health and repatriation insurance and must provide proof of coverage for the entire duration of their stay at least one month before arrival.

Application process

The selection process will involve a committee including external advisors who will receive the applications according to the following criteria:

Evaluation criteria

• Scientific Excellence: Quality of the scientific career
• Contribution to Public Policies for Transitions
• Interdisciplinarity: Encouragement of interdisciplinary exchanges.
• Collaboration: Relevance of the stay in Montpellier and potential for strengthening or new collaborations.
• Feasability: Precision and realism of the collaboration schedule.
• Scientific Inclusion: Proposed actions to ensure the integration of the visiting fellow.

The required application documents, in English only, consist of:

• Application form signed by the head of the research unit and the visiting applicant, presenting the collaboration program.
• CV or link to the up to date ORCID profile of the visiting fellow.
• Support letter from the home institution: A letter from the candidate’s current institution confirming its support for their participation in the MAK’IT program.

The complete dossier in English must be submitted by the research unit using the online form. Only complete applications will be considered for evaluation.

Timeline

• January 4, 2026: Closing of the call for applications
• March 2026: Notification of results
• September 15, 2026: Arrival in France of the fellows and start of their research stay in Montpellier, France.

The responsibility for the funding offers published on this website, including the funding description, lies entirely with the publishing institutions. The application is handled uniquely by the employer, who is also fully responsible for the recruitment and selection processes.