Offer Description
The Postdoctoral Researcher will be based at the Centre Norbert Elias (CNE), a major research unit known for its transdisciplinary orientations, including artistic research, notably audiovisual methods. The position is part of the project “Radical Communities: Transdisciplinary Approaches and Alternative Methods (COMMRAD)” (2026–2029), funded by the Safe Place for Science initiative (Amidex).
COMMRAD examines contemporary political formations seeking systemic transformation at a moment marked by democratic erosion, climate crisis, and a resurgence of authoritarian governance characterized by populist tendencies. While the term ‘radical’ is often used interchangeably with ‘extreme,’ this project returns to its etymological sense of engaging root causes. ‘Radicality’ is thus seen less as a label than as an array of political and aesthetic practices that aim to intervene at the foundational level of dominant structures. In tracing how actors sustain opposition, confront internal tensions, and negotiate inheritance and innovation, the project understands radicality as a shifting relational condition that reveals both the possibilities and the limits of transformative politics today.
The project draws on social science disciplines as well as political theory and artistic research. It includes multi-sited empirical research, a seminar (2027–2028), a collective publication, and audiovisual outputs as integral components.
In addition to pursuing their own individual research, the Postdoc will:
- Contribute to collective research (literature review, conceptual development).
- Help organize the project’s open seminar/public events.
- Participate in collective publication.
- Contribute, where relevant, to artistic research outputs (audiovisual or experimental formats).
The postdoctoral researcher should have already or be developing a research or artistic research project in line with the general thematic focus of the COMMRAD project, which they will continue to develop during the employment term.
In addition to pursuing their own individual research, the postdoctoral researcher will aid in the development and execution of a seminar series, tentatively titled “Présence(s) Radicale(s),” to take place during the final months of the period of employment (October 2027 – May 2028). This monthly seminar will feature multiple public speakers on radical politics and aesthetics, including guests with background in political philosophy, visual arts, social sciences, political activism, contemporary artists/writers/filmmakers… The recruited postdoctoral researcher will be expected to contribute to the programming of these seminars, to their animation, and to the documentation (including through parallel interviews or recorded exchanges carried out with invited guests) of the individual sessions.
A publication and/or website will feature the fruit of these labors, which the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to during the same period.
Finally, the post-doctoral researcher may also work on publications and/or artistic research outputs, ideally with a connection to the COMMRAD project.
Interested candidates are requested to submit, via email, the following, by 14 October 2026 at 05:00PM CET:
- CV, which may include website link or portfolio, if available.
- Letter of motivation, maximum 3 pages, detailing interest in specific project and envisaged contributions.
Where to apply
E-mail: philip.cartelli@univ-amu.fr
Requirements
Research Field: All
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- PhD required in relevant discipline(s) including artistic practice.
- Experience conducting transdisciplinary research, ideally at the intersection of politics, visual arts, social sciences, and critical theory.
- Simultaneous experience in arts and culture domain preferred (creation, exhibition, curation, programming, artistic research) as well as experience with diverse forms of pedagogy at intersection of arts/sciences.
- Additional educational background in political theory/science/philosophy preferred.
- Some technical (video/audio production and editing) skills.
- Excellent French and, ideally, English.
Specific Requirements
- Autonomy in carrying out individual scientific and artistic research.
- Teamwork in working collectively in pedagogical and outward facing research program with strong engaged and/or artistic component.
- Social skills for coordinating with outside and visiting researchers, artists, etc.
Years of Research Experience: None
Additional Information
Salary details: €2,616.35/month (Gross amount), depending upon qualification and expertise.
Selection process: Finalists will be contacted for an interview in the second half of October, in order to ideally notify a successful candidate by 1 November. The position start date is 1 January 2027.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Centre Norbert Elias (UMR CNRS 8562)
Country: France
City: Marseille
Postal Code: 13002
Street: 2, rue de la Charité
Contact
City: Marseille
Website: http://www.univ-amu.fr, https://centrenorbertelias.cnrs.fr/
Street: 58 boulevard Charles-Livon (Headquarters)
Postal Code: 13007
E-Mail: philip.cartelli@univ-amu.fr
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