Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Université de Caen Normandie
- Research Field: Economics, Management sciences
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: Postdoc Positions
- Application Deadline: 7 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (UTC)
- Country: France
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Nov 2026
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme
Offer Description
Host project
This postdoctoral position is part of the CYRCE project – Caen University Cybersecurity Campus, funded under the France 2030 Call for Expressions of Interest (AMI).
Please click HERE for further information about the CYRCE project and the Caen University Cybersecurity Campus.
The postdoctoral researcher will play an active role in the scientific activities of the CYRCE project – Caen University Cybersecurity Campus.
The main responsibilities will include:
- conducting in-depth literature reviews;
- collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data;
- preparing project reports and scientific publications.
Project title
Strengthening the Effectiveness of the French Support Ecosystem for Cybersecurity Start-ups: A Configurational Analysis Based on Isenberg’s Framework (2011)
Project summary
This postdoctoral research project aims to identify and analyse the factors limiting the effectiveness of the French support ecosystem for cybersecurity start-ups.
Drawing on Isenberg’s conceptual framework (2011), the project will examine the coherence of and interactions between the six core domains of an entrepreneurial ecosystem—public policy, finance, culture, support systems, human capital and markets—as well as the stakeholders associated with each of these domains.
Using a configurational and systemic approach, the research will draw on the misalignment perspective to explore how inconsistencies or misfits between these domains may hinder the overall performance of the cybersecurity start-up support system.
The study will use a qualitative research design combining interviews with different stakeholder groups, observation and documentary analysis. It will seek to identify areas of misalignment, understand the mechanisms underlying them and propose ways of improving alignment, coordination, governance and the long-term sustainability of the ecosystem.
The project is intended to produce both academic and practical outcomes. Its findings will help public policymakers, support organisations and stakeholders in technology entrepreneurship respond more effectively to cybersecurity challenges.
Research questions
- How do the six core domains of the French cybersecurity entrepreneurial ecosystem interact, based on Isenberg’s framework (2011)?
- What misalignments, misfits or inconsistencies exist between these domains?
- How do these misalignments affect the effectiveness of the support system available to cybersecurity start-ups?
- How do start-up founders and executives perceive the coherence, coordination and performance of support schemes within the French and European cybersecurity ecosystems?
- What governance and coordination mechanisms involving the ecosystem’s various stakeholders could help reduce the identified misalignments and improve the collective performance of the support system?
- What configurations of interactions between stakeholders, institutions and resources foster sustainable alignment and facilitate the integration of start-ups into the French cybersecurity ecosystem?
Activities and duties
The postdoctoral researcher’s activities will include:
- conducting literature reviews on entrepreneurship and cybersecurity;
- collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data from ecosystem stakeholders;
- processing and interpreting research findings with a view to producing scientific publications and conference papers;
- contributing to the preparation of reports and the dissemination of research findings;
- promoting the project through presentations, conferences and posters aimed at the general public and institutional stakeholders.
Where to apply
E-mail: nabil.khelil@unicaen.fr
Requirements
- Research Field: Economics - Education Level: PhD or equivalent
- Research Field: Management sciences - Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Academic qualifications and core competencies
Applicants must hold a PhD in Management or Economics, corresponding to CNU Section 06 or 05.
Candidates should have a sound knowledge of entrepreneurship and/or innovation, together with experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods, particularly methods based on social network theory.
Technical and research skills
- proficiency in NVivo;
- proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data collection methods;
- proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
Interpersonal skills
- the ability to work effectively as part of a team;
- strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- a collaborative approach within a multidisciplinary research environment.
Preferred qualifications
A PhD in Management or Economics, corresponding to CNU Section 06 or 05, is required.
Qualification by the French National Council of Universities (CNU Qualification) in Section 06 or 05 would be an advantage.
Additional Information
Selection process
The application file consist of all the 5 following documents:
- Cover letter and proof of identity: A cover letter explaining your interest in the position, together with a copy of a valid identity document.
- Academic CV and list of publications: A detailed overview of your academic background, professional experience, methodological expertise, publications and conference presentations.
- Research proposal: A two- to four-page document presenting your understanding of the project, the contribution you intend to make, your proposed methodology and the anticipated outcomes.
- Selected publications: One or two publications that are particularly relevant to the project’s themes or demonstrate your methodological expertise.
- PhD-related documents: A copy of your PhD certificate or defence certificate, along with your thesis abstract, defence report and, where applicable, your CNU qualification certificate.
Applicants have to email their application to nabil.khelil@unicaen.fr, and copy in their email fanny.simon@unicaen.fr and carine.leroy@unicaen.fr
The application deadline is September 7th 2026.
Additional comments
Position
Postdoctoral Researcher in Management or Economics – CNU Section 06 or 05
Contract duration: 11 months, from 1 November 2026 to 30 September 2027
Employment framework
- Category: A
- Position/Grade: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Professional activity branch / Standard position under the REFERENS framework: Postdoctoral Researcher
The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Research in Economics and Management (CREM – CNRS Joint Research Unit 6211) at the University of Caen Normandy (Esplanade de la Paix, Campus 1, Caen).
About the host research unit
The Centre for Research in Economics and Management (CREM) is a CNRS Joint Research Unit in economics and management (UMR 6211), jointly supervised by:
- the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), through its Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (INSHS), Section 40 – Economics and Management;
- the University of Rennes;
- the University of Caen Normandy.
With sites in Rennes and Caen, CREM brings together 126 permanent researchers, including two CNRS Senior Researchers, one CNRS Research Fellow, one CNRS Research Engineer and one CNRS Senior Research Engineer, as well as approximately 60 doctoral students.
CREM’s research addresses major contemporary challenges, including inequality, risk, health, climate change, the digital transformation of society and the role of the state. Its work covers a broad range of topics in economics and management, including:
- public decision-making and macroeconomic policy;
- institutions and governance;
- human resource management;
- entrepreneurship and innovation;
- banking and finance;
- risk perception and behaviour under uncertainty.
The research unit is organised into three thematic divisions:
- Public Policy, Voting and Democracy;
- Organisations, Networks and Digital Technologies;
- Behaviour, Uncertainty and Responsibility.
The postdoctoral researcher will join the Organisations, Networks and Digital Technologies (ORN) division and contribute to its research activities.
Place of work
The postdoctoral researcher will be based primarily at the University of Caen Normandy. One or two days of remote work per week may be authorised, subject to operational requirements. Fully remote working is not available.
Occasional travel will be required for data collection and project-related activities, including interviews and project meetings.
Reporting structure and research team
The postdoctoral researcher will work independently under the supervision of the Director of CREM and the head of the Organisations, Networks and Digital Technologies division at the Caen site.
The successful candidate will join a cybersecurity research team comprising a CREM doctoral researcher and academic researchers from the University of Caen Normandy.
The postdoctoral researcher will participate in scientific events organised as part of the CYRCE project – Caen University Cybersecurity Campus and may also contribute to working groups dedicated to cybersecurity education and research.
Working conditions
Working hours
Full-time position – 100%
Working arrangements and requirements
The position will be based primarily at the University of Caen Normandy, with four days per week on site and one day of remote work.
Occasional travel will be required for data collection and other project-related activities.
Website for additional job details: https://www.unicaen.fr/universite/axes-strategiques-et-grands-projets/france-2030/projet-cyrce-campus-universitaire-caennais-de-cybersecurite/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Université de Caen Normandie - CREM research unit
- Country: France
- City: Caen
- Postal Code: 14032
- Street: Esplanade de la Paix
Contact
- City: Caen
- Website: http://www.unicaen.fr
- Street: Esplanade de la Paix 14032 CAEN CEDEX
- Postal Code: CS 14032
- E-Mail: nabil.khelil@unicaen.fr
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