Offer Description
Work environment : The PhD is part of KIPPT 2 (Key Initiative on Public Policies of Transition), a programme of Université de Montpellier funded by France 2030 and led by Laura Michel (CEPEL, UMR 5112). KIPPT brings together researchers from several social sciences and humanities disciplines working on transition policies, and offers regular scientific activities (seminars, study days, a network of academic and institutional partners), support for doctoral training and opportunities for…
international scientific collaboration. The doctoral candidate will be hosted in the laboratory of the thesis supervisor, affiliated with a doctoral school of Université de Montpellier. The thesis will be co-supervised by a thesis supervisor from the Montpellier I-SITE (Université de Montpellier or partner organisation) and by a member of the KIPPT steering committee. Fixed-term 36-month contract at Université de Montpellier, based in Montpellier, starting 1 December 2026.
Main mission : The PhD candidate will analyse how different transition public policies interact, create synergies or come into tension, and how social and political actors identify, formalise, prioritise and arbitrate the tensions arising from the coexistence of these policies, from their design to their implementation. The thesis will focus on one or more configurations of transition public policies (for example in the fields of energy, biodiversity, food, water or land-use planning). It aims to contribute to research on nexus approaches, which remain mainly techno-economic and give insufficient attention to territorial and land issues, governance and power relations.
Activities : Conduct an empirical study of the articulation between two or more transition public policies, including a multi-site analysis of their implementation; analyse how tensions between these policies emerge, are constructed as problems (or non-problems), and are handled and arbitrated, including through which instruments, criteria and modes of coordination; examine how social and environmental justice issues are taken into account; use qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods defined with the supervisors; possibly develop a comparative, including international, perspective.
The gross monthly salary is €2,300
Contract duration: 3 years
Contract date from 01/12/2026 to 30/11/2029
Where to apply
E-mail: laura.michel@umontpellier.fr
Requirements
- Research Field: Economics — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Political sciences — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Sociology — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Juridical sciences — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Geography — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field: Anthropology — Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Strong background in social sciences and public policy analysis; knowledge of ecological transition issues and governance; interest in interdisciplinary approaches is an asset; autonomy in conducting research; synthesis skills; strong writing and oral communication skills; good command of scientific English (written and spoken).
Additional Information
Selection process
laura.michel@umontpellier.fr and tiffany.matias@umontpellier.fr
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Centre d'Etudes Politiques Et sociaLes : Environnement Santé Territoires (CEPEL)
Country: France
Contact
City: Montpellier
Website: http://www.umontpellier.fr/
Street: 163 rue Auguste Broussonnet
Postal Code: 34000