Job Information
Organisation/Company: Inserm
Department: Cermes3
Research Field: History » History of social sciences
Other
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: Postdoc Positions
Application Deadline: 31 Aug 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris)
Country: France
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 151,67
Offer Starting Date: 11 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
Archaeology of Disappeared Pathogens (ArchPath) reconstructs the interwoven biological and social histories of enteric fever (typhoid and paratyphoid B) endemism and eradication in post-war France. Drawing on the extensive phage-typing records of Institut Pasteur’s Enteric Bacterial Pathogens Laboratory (EBPL), the project combines cutting-edge historical, digital humanities, microbiological, and epidemiological analysis to map evolving typhoid and paratyphoid incidence and diversity in light of post-war population shifts, concerted eradication efforts, and rising antimicrobial usage. A key focus will be on the period between the end of World War Two and the Algerian War (1947-1962). ArchPath has five inquiry lines:
- Where were persistent endemic hotspots of enteric disease transmission located?
- Were endemic hotspots associated with distinct microbial strains (phage types)?
- What are the socio-economic factors associated with endemicity and type incidence?
- How were overall typhoid and paratyphoid B incidence and type diversity impacted by eradication campaigns, new technologies (e.g. vaccines, antimicrobials), and socio-historical disruptions (e.g. mass migration)?
- How comprehensive was French public health surveillance?
ArchPath’s interrogation of enteric pathogens’ historical epidemiology, evolving biology, social drivers of observed biological shifts, and surveillance biases will reconstruct a pivotal moment of French public health expansion and cast light on core determinants of successful disease eradication. By merging the quantitative and qualitative evaluation of microbial and public health data, the project will also build important bridges between the humanities, the social sciences, microbiology, and public health. ArchPath is financed by the French Government’s Investissement d’Avenir programme, which is implemented by the Agence Nationale de Recherche (ANR) – ANR-21-EXES-0002, FIRE UP as part of its program Cross Cutting Edges (CCE).
Where to apply
E-mail: claas.kirchhelle@inserm.fr
Requirements
Research Field: Sociology
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
- Very good language skills in French and English
- A completed doctoral degree in history, the social sciences, geography, digital humanities, epidemiology, or a related discipline.
- Ability to travel in metropolitan France to conduct archival research, interviews, and present research results.
Specific Requirements:
Desired Characteristics:
- Previous experience in digital humanities, database design, and/ or spatial-temporal trends analysis (e.g. via ArcGIS).
- Knowledge of the history of medicine, science, technology, environmental history, and /or modern and contemporary French history.
Languages: FRENCH
Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Eligibility criteria
Candidate Profile
The postdoctoral candidate will work closely with principle investigators Dr Claas Kirchhelle (CERMES3, https://www.cermes3.cnrs.fr/en/members/statutory-members/kirchhelle-claas.html) and Prof François-Xavier Weill (Institut Pasteur, https://research.pasteur.fr/fr/team/enteric-bacterial-pathogens/) on digitising source material, the spatio-temporal reconstruction of shifting disease hotspots, and the historical analysis (national and local archives, published sources, oral history interviews) of associated public health interventions. At least 6 months of the 2 year project will be spent within EBPL on the Institut Pasteur campus where the candidate will receive training in microbial data analysis.
- Previous experience in digital humanities, database design, and/ or spatial-temporal trends analysis (e.g. via ArcGIS).
- Knowledge of the history of medicine, science, technology, environmental history, and /or modern and contemporary French history.
Selection process
Application Procedure:
Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact claas.kirchhelle@inserm.fr ahead of a formal application.
For the formal application, candidates must send the following materials to claas.kirchhelle@inserm.fr by July 31st, 2026.
- CV (maximum 3 pages, Arial size 11),
- letter of motivation (1 page, Arial size 12),
- two writing samples (published article/ chapter),
- and contact details for two referees, who know the candidates work.
Short-listed candidates will be invited to participate in an online interview with PIs Kirchhelle and Weill. The interview will take place in early September 2026. The interview will be conducted in English.
Due to the sensitive nature of work on the Pasteur campus, the selected candidate will subsequently be vetted by the French security services. Only candidates, who have passed this vetting will be allowed to take up the post. The envisioned start date is January 11th, 2027.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Inserm
Country: France
Contact
City: Villejuif
Website: https://www.cermes3.cnrs.fr
Street: 7, rue Guy Môquet
Postal Code: 94800
E-Mail: claas.kirchhelle@inserm.fr
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