Research positions in higher education represent careers centered on the systematic investigation of scientific questions to produce new knowledge. The meaning of a research job involves designing studies, gathering empirical evidence, interpreting results, and disseminating discoveries through publications and presentations. These roles exist across disciplines like biology, physics, social sciences, and engineering, fueling advancements that shape society.
In academia, research positions range from entry-level research assistants to senior principal investigators leading labs. They differ from lecturing by prioritizing original inquiry over instruction, though many combine both. Globally, demand grows with funding from bodies like the European Research Council or national science foundations, creating thousands of opportunities annually.
Research positions trace back to 19th-century universities, where Humboldtian ideals merged teaching and research. Post-World War II, government investments spurred growth; the U.S. National Science Foundation (1950) and Europe's CNRS (1939) formalized roles. By the 1970s, postdocs emerged as bridges to faculty positions. Today, interdisciplinary and grant-driven models dominate, with French Guiana exemplifying niche focuses like tropical research amid globalization.
Researchers execute multifaceted duties. They formulate hypotheses, secure funding via proposals, conduct fieldwork or lab experiments, analyze data using statistical software, and collaborate internationally. Ethical compliance, such as Institutional Review Board approvals, ensures integrity. Outputs include journal articles, conference papers, and patents, often tracked by metrics like h-index.
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in the relevant field is standard for independent research jobs. Fields like physics or biomedicine demand specialized doctorates, while social sciences accept PhDs with strong theses.
Expertise aligns with lab or departmental priorities, such as climate modeling or genomics. In French Guiana, Amazonian ecology or aerospace engineering stands out due to local assets like rainforests and the Guiana Space Centre.
Peer-reviewed publications (aim for 5+), successful grants (e.g., €100,000+ awards), and postdoctoral fellowships. International collaborations enhance profiles.
Proficiency in tools like MATLAB or GIS, critical thinking, time management, and adaptability. Soft skills include teamwork and clear scientific writing.
As France's overseas territory, French Guiana blends European funding with tropical uniqueness. The Université de Guyane advances studies in infectious diseases and biodiversity via partnerships with IRD (French Research Institute for Sustainable Development). The European Space Agency's Guiana Space Centre drives rocketry research, attracting engineers. Positions often involve field expeditions in the Amazon, offering adventure alongside rigorous science. CNRS units here focus on environmental challenges, with contracts mirroring mainland France's competitive system.
Principal Investigator (PI): The lead researcher responsible for project oversight, funding, and team management.
Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc): Early-career scientist gaining experience post-PhD on temporary contracts.
Research Assistant (RA): Support role involving data collection, often held by master's students.
h-index: Metric measuring productivity and citation impact (e.g., h=10 means 10 papers cited 10+ times each).
Gain an edge with targeted preparation. Review research assistant strategies adaptable globally, or thrive as a postdoc. Craft a strong application using academic CV tips.
Search research jobs and postdoc openings on AcademicJobs.com. Explore higher ed jobs, higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post a job to attract talent.
If you are searching for research jobs in French Guiana, you need more than a keyword dump of “scientist” ads. You need openings that match how universities actually hire: postdoctoral fellowships, research assistant and associate roles, research fellows, lab technicians, research coordinators, and faculty researcher lines. Academic Jobs (AJ) is built for that search. Every listing on this page is already filtered to university and institute research roles, so you spend time on fit — lab, method, contract length, and location — instead of wading through unrelated industry postings.
Job seekers come here with a clear intent: find a funded research post they can apply to this week. Use the filters above to narrow by city, institution, employment type, or a keyword such as CRISPR, ethnography, or clinical trials. On a country page the region is pre-set, so the count in the heading is the live number of research openings in French Guiana, not a global total. That is the number you should trust when you are deciding whether to relocate, stay local, or keep a worldwide search open.
AJ aggregates research jobs from universities, medical schools, national labs, and research institutes in one board. That matters because most research hiring is still posted on a single employer career site and easy to miss if you only check two or three campuses. A postdoc in public health, a research technician in a core facility, and a research professor line will not sit on the same faculty page — they will sit on AJ if the employer posted or syndicated the role. You can also save a job alert with the same research filters so new fellowships hit your inbox instead of disappearing after a short closing window.
Compared with general job boards, AJ’s research collection is scoped to higher education. You will still see staff research and faculty research together, which is useful when your next step could be either a fellowship or a research-track faculty post. Pair this page with Science Jobs if you want scientist titles, or Professor Jobs if you are targeting a teaching-and-research chair. For most candidates asking “where do I find research jobs in French Guiana that I can actually apply for?”, the short answer is this listing: live count, research-only filters, and a board that employers in higher education already use.
Reach qualified research professionals across any industry. List your vacancy on AcademicJobs.com.
Get notified when new research vacancies are posted on Academic Jobs.
There are currently no jobs available.
Get alerts from AcademicJobs.com as soon as new jobs are posted
All USA, USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);, USA Compact Free Associations: The Federated States of Micronesia (USA) Marshall Islands (USA) Republic of Palau (USA), International, Israel and Canada.
All USA, USA Territories: American Samoa (USA); Guam (USA); Puerto Rico (USA); Virgin Islands (USA); Northern Mariana Islands (USA);, USA Compact Free Associations: The Federated States of Micronesia (USA), Marshall Islands (USA), Republic of Palau (USA), International, Israel and Canada.
USA, Canada, and International
All USA, Canada
All USA, Canada
