Postdoctoral researcher (Re-contract research programme) Axis 1

Offer Description

The Re-contract research program focuses on the idea of the social contract and its rethinking for our time. It aims, over a three-year period, to develop original, innovative, integrative, and open research, in dialogue with non-academic stakeholders. Re-Contract seeks to embed its reflection in a contemporary context that appears to contradict its very project. Indeed, characterized as an era of loss of common values and the foundations of living together—an anxious, conflict-ridden time marked by the proliferation of risks, particularly systemic ones—this context seems ill-suited for projecting toward the future, whether individually or collectively. Instead, it embodies an era of "polycrisis."

What levers for action can we identify and implement to recreate a shared narrative? How can we regain the individual and collective capacity to project ourselves into the future, a capacity essential for fueling present action with the perspective of a shared destiny? These are questions many are asking, yet there are no obvious answers.

Re-Contract hypotheses that the concept of the social contract provides a framework for addressing these questions. If not to produce answers—which belong to collective decision-making—it can at least help identify the stakes, the lines of bifurcation and choice, the sticking points, and the obstacles.

In particular, Re-Contract will focus on what tests the bond of trust, which is fundamental to the social contract: trust among citizens, in institutions (in the broadest sense), and in public and private governance actors. Indeed, all the systemic risks identified to date relate to factors that weaken collective life. However, not all equally undermine individual and collective commitment to a common political project. Furthermore, this commitment also relies, in a context of intertwined crises of various natures, on a shared vision of what needs to be protected, preserved, and upheld—a common culture in terms of risk and danger perception. This is all the more true if the principle of prevention comes to structure risk management. The Re-Contract project will therefore focus in particular on the challenge of developing a shared understanding of invisible risks.

This post-doctoral research falls under the first axis of the project, which focuses on analyzing key elements that shape, strengthen, or conversely weaken trust in interpersonal relationships, in an individual's relationship with the collective, and in the relationship between citizens and institutions.

Among these elements is the key issue of intergenerational social protection and lifelong support. Indeed, various factors today appear to challenge the social protection model we know: in France, for example, demographic changes (aging population, recently observed decline in birth rates); evolving health needs and the relative inadequacy of current health policies and healthcare systems, particularly in light of the rise in chronic diseases, the necessary strengthening of prevention efforts, or the possible resurgence of epidemics; socio-economic inequalities and differing capacities to access protection; changes in the state’s role regarding its social protection mission and long-term action; and the emergence of new risks, including those linked to evolving forms of work, geopolitical contexts, and global changes such as climate change.

This post-doctoral research focuses on how citizens envision intergenerational social protection in political and normative terms—understood as a goal to pursue, a "value," or what is conceived as "just," "desirable," or "good," not only for themselves but also in the general interest.

The term "social protection" is understood here in a broad sense—covering not only assistance measures for the poorest and those who are not working, but also support during key moments of human life (early life, childhood and adolescence, old age, and end of life) or in the face of all kinds of risks and accidents, from workplace accidents to "natural disasters," including the "new social risks" linked to changes in work organisation and family life's patterns (P. Taylor-Gooby).

This research complements studies on the explanation of distrust or trust linked to individuals' socio-economic conditions, their socially differentiated ability to make institutions work to their advantage, and the sentiments—particularly resentment—that may be associated with (non-)recourse to key social protection institutions.

The aim of this post-doctoral research is to shed light on the forms of social protection that citizens consider "desirable," "just," or "good." What should they cover, and what should they exclude? If, in their view, these forms of protection should involve a kind of pooling of resources and redistribution, which actors should organize and/or implement them—the state, the non-profit sector, or the insurance sector? What coordination and distribution of roles between these actors do they find desirable? What, in their view, should fall under the general interest and the private domain? In short, this post-doctoral research will explore what citizens today want to "protect" and the extent to which their trust in a common societal project includes this protection mission, as well as how they conceive the modalities and financing of this broadly understood intergenerational social protection.

This work will be conducted from a comparative perspective at the European level. Methodologically, it will draw on data from European surveys, notably the European Social Survey (ESS), the European Values Study, and the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), to understand how a normative political stance on social protection is formed in the contemporary context. This stance is linked to how individuals assess their own needs and the needs of others, as well as their environment (in the broad, multidimensional sense of a living context), both for themselves and for others, along with the risks—old, new, probable, or certain—that this environment entails.

• Research activities within Axis 1 (see details above)
• Contribution to the organization of the scientific animation of the Re-Contract research program
• Supervision: Marie Gaille (project's PI), Nicolas Sauger, Marlène Benquet
• A research environment will be provided for the recruited post-doctoral researcher

2-year fixed-term contract – Remuneration based on pay scale and experience

The application consists of: your CV + a motivation letter

Where to apply

E-mail: marie.gaille@cnrs.fr

Requirements

Research Field: Philosophy

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a PhD in one of the relevant disciplines for the expected research theme (philosophy, political science, political sociology), defended at least one year before the publication date of this position but no more than 5 years ago. Beyond the degree, an aptitude for interdisciplinary approaches is expected. Profiles in political sociology or political science with skills in quantitative analysis and an interest in political theory, or in applied philosophy with proficiency in quantitative data analysis, will be given priority.
• An interest in developing doctoral research based on the international state of the art, as well as an ability to work within a multidisciplinary project, would be an advantage.
• Fluency in English is also required.

Specific Requirements

• Proficiency in intermediate statistical analysis methods (e.g., regressions) and, if possible, advanced methods (e.g., hierarchical models, GLM, etc.).
• Proficiency in at least one statistical analysis software or programming language (R, Python, Stata).
• Experience in comparative analysis.
• Ability to integrate into a project-related work team
• Ability to interact with academic stakeholders in France and internationally
• Autonomy and initiative
• Ability in work organization and long-term follow-up of research through to publication and dissemination

Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent

Languages: FRENCH — Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD in philosophy, defended at least one year before the publication date of this position but no more than 5 years ago.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Ecole Normale Superieure
• Country: France
• City: Paris
• Postal Code: 75005
• Street: 45 rue d'Ulm

Contact

• City: Paris V
• Website: https://www.ens.psl.eu/
• Street: 45 rue d'Ulm
• Postal Code: 75005