Postdoc Position 2: Violence & the Colonial Project

20 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country: France Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Offer Starting Date: 1 Mar 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 Project Description The Institute of Research and Study on the Arab and Islamic Worlds (IREMAM) is hiring a postdoc to conduct research for the project: “Violence and the Colonial Project: Embodied Violence in a (Post)Colonial World.” Violence was a ubiquitous feature of the colonial world. Colonial conquest brought with it war, economic upheaval, urban destruction, expropriation, and physical brutality, but also more subtle or symbolic forms of violence, like the suppression of languages, cultures, and names or the social ruptures of forced mobility and racial discrimination. This violence, as experienced by the colonized, was embodied, felt in the body and preserved as psychological scars. Everyday imperial violence cast a long shadow, connected to the inequalities that continue to shape our contemporary world. In “Violence and the Colonial Project,” specialists from a range of disciplines, including historians, sociologists, anthropologists and cultural studies scholars, will examine the question of embodied imperial violence and its postcolonial legacies. The position is for one year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. Principal Duties of the Postdoctoral Fellow The postdoc will join the research team and contribute to the following projects: Taking the lead in organizing the final colloquium of the project. Contributing to the organization of the project’s speaker series. Coordinating the publicity for any events and managing the creation and upkeep of a dedicated website for the project. Helping with the administration and archiving of the team's oral history project. Participating in the research program of “Violence and the Colonial Project” by proposing their own research project. The research project should relate to the theme of colonial violence and be historical in nature, but the method, geography, and periodization are open. It is expected that the research project will result in scientific production (an event, publication, etc.) or public-facing presentations Meeting bi-weekly with the principal investigator and attending monthly research team meetings. In addition, the person recruited will also be expected to contribute to the following tasks: Participation in the seminars of IREMAM, especially any seminars or colloquia organized by "Violence and the Colonial Project". Collaborating with the principal investigator and other postdoctoral researchers Where to apply E-mail: danielle.beaujon@univ-amu.fr Requirements Research Field: All Education Level: PhD or equivalent Skills/Qualifications PhD in history or a related discipline. Strong demonstrated interest in the history of violence in an imperial context Experience with archival methodologies is required. Experience with oral history, digital history, or interdisciplinary methods is desired. Preference for candidates working on histories of the MENA region or on comparative imperial histories. Strong writing skills, including the ability to produce and publish articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, and ability to independently manage long-term research projects Ability to communicate research findings effectively to academic audiences and, where relevant, to the public. Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to adhere to deadlines Ability to collaborate in an international and multilingual academic setting. Fluency in French and/or English is required. Preference for previous experience with basic website design and management. Coding experience is not necessary. Languages: FRENCH — Level: Excellent Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent Additional Information Benefits Aix-Marseille University (AMU) is a multidisciplinary university organized around five major academic areas (Arts, Literature, Languages, and Humanities; Law and Political Science; Economics and Management; Health; Science and Technology; and a multidisciplinary unit). AMU educates 80,000 students across 17 constituent units (faculties, schools, institutes), spread across four departments (04, 05, 13, and 84) and 10 cities (learn more: www.univ-amu.fr ). AMU video: https://youtu.be/7-Hrtn-l2Qk . The diversity of its campuses allows the university to offer unique career opportunities today. The position is for 1 year, with the possibility of renewal for 1 more year. Salary is based on experience [€2,616.35/month (Gross amount), depending on qualification and expertise]. Eligibility criteria External hiring policy: Eligible candidates must be external to AMU, meaning their current employer is not AMU, and that they must have earned their most recent degree outside AMU. Selection process To apply, please email Dr. Danielle Beaujon ( danielle.beaujon@univ-amu.fr ) with the following materials in one PDF: Cover Letter including proposed research project (max. 2 pages) CV Representative writing sample (published article, dissertation chapter, etc.) Contact information for 2 references Application materials may be submitted in French or English. Applications will be accepted until December 20th. The position can begin as early as March 2027, but flexibility for a later start date is possible. Website for additional job details: https://www.iremam.mmsh.fr/fr Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: IREMAM Country: France City: Aix-en-Provence Street: 5 rue du Château de l’Horloge Contact Website: http://www.univ-amu.fr E-Mail: drv-euraxess@univ-amu.fr