Postdoc in Sociology at EHESS (School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences) – France

Summary

The École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) seeks a postdoctoral researcher in sociology for the ANR‑funded eFace project, based at the Interdisciplinary Research Institute on Social Issues (IRIS) in Aubervilliers, France. The fixed‑term, 24‑month contract offers a gross monthly salary of €2,484.53 and starts on 1 January 2027. The role involves conducting qualitative fieldwork on facial recognition technologies, bibliographic research, participating in seminars, and co‑authoring publications. Candidates must hold a PhD in social sciences (preferably sociology or anthropology) defended within three years, possess experience in qualitative methods, and be able to work in a multidisciplinary, international team. Applications in French must include a CV, cover letter, and proof of the doctoral degree, and are due by 31 October 2026.

Key Facts

Position Type	Postdoctoral Researcher
Discipline	Sociology
Research Area	Facial recognition and biometric identification social effects
Degree Required	PhD in social sciences
Salary	€2,484.53 gross per month
Funding	ANR-funded project
Contract Duration	Fixed-term, 24 months
Language	French
Deadline	2026-10-31
Required Documents	CV including a list of publications (max 10 pages, in French), Cover letter (max 2 pages, in French), Copy of doctoral diploma or thesis defence certificate
Employer Address	IRIS, Campus Condorcet, South Research Building, 4 Cours des Humanités, 93322 Aubervilliers, France
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

The eFace project investigates how facial recognition and biometric analysis technologies reshape identification, categorisation, and control in state, commercial, and domestic contexts. It aims to document the social effects of these technologies in France by studying sovereign uses (e.g., police investigations), ordinary and commercial applications, and the evolving legal regulation, using multi‑sited fieldwork, controversy analysis, and comparative case studies to understand power relations in the biometric age.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the sociological survey under Objective 1 (sovereign/police uses)
• Design and conduct interview and observation campaigns and contribute to their analysis
• Carry out bibliographic and documentary research on the research contexts
• Take part in research seminars and the project's collective activities
• Produce and co‑author scientific publications
• Assist the project coordinator in organising a study day in 2028

Required Skills

• Proven experience in qualitative research methods (interviews, ethnographic observation)
• Experience conducting research in sensitive fields
• Knowledge of scientific work and debates on biometrics (an asset)
• Autonomy, initiative and organisational skills
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to engage in international research collaborations

Who Should Apply

Applicants who have earned a PhD in social sciences (especially sociology or anthropology) within the last three years, have proven experience with qualitative research methods such as interviews and ethnographic observation, and are comfortable working on sensitive topics and in multidisciplinary, international collaborations should apply.

About the Employer

EHESS is a public scientific, cultural and professional institution dedicated to social science research and training, hosting around 3,000 students and 500 researchers. It is a founding member of Campus Condorcet and collaborates with CNRS, Inserm and Université Sorbonne Paris Nord through the IRIS research unit, which brings together about 60 researchers and over 100 doctoral students and postdocs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

31 October 2026

What is the monthly salary?

€2,484.53 gross per month

How long is the contract?

Fixed‑term for 24 months

Which documents must be submitted?

A CV (French, max 10 pages), a cover letter (French, max 2 pages), and a copy of the doctoral diploma or thesis defence certificate

Who can be contacted for questions?

Project manager Ms Joëlle Vailly at [email protected]