Postdoctoral Fellowship in Sociology, Ergonomics, or Management Sciences

1- JOB ENVIRONMENT

IMT Atlantique, a generalist engineering school belonging to IMT-Institut Mines-Télécom, France's leading group of engineering schools, aims to support transitions, train responsible engineers, and apply scientific and technical excellence to teaching, research, and innovation.

The position is attached to the Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences (DI2S), which brings together professors and researchers in management, sociology, economics, and law. On the Nantes campus, research focuses on analyzing the transformations of organizations and professions within socio-technical systems. Three areas of investigation are prioritized: industry, health, and the environment. The candidate will be affiliated with LEMNA (Laboratoire Économie et Management Nantes Atlantique).

More specifically, the position will be attached to the RESOH chair (Research in Security, Organizations, Humans). The research work, at the interface of sociology and management, concerns the functioning of high-risk organizations. Starting from the analysis of work and work organizations, it aims to illuminate the socio-organizational, managerial, and institutional dimensions that contribute to (or prevent) maintaining a level of reliability compatible with safety and production requirements. The chair's research is conducted in close collaboration with industrial and institutional partners. It aims to produce scientific knowledge, but also to promote its discussion, appropriation, and mobilization by the stakeholders concerned.

MISSIONS

In collaboration with all the professors and researchers in the team (permanent and associated), the missions are:

1- Participate in empirical investigation and scientific production

2- Contribute to collective reflection

3- Participate in coordination meetings and debriefing meetings

4- Disseminate and valorize the knowledge and results produced

ACTIVITIES:

1. Participate in empirical investigation and scientific production

   • Conduct bibliographic research on the chair's themes?

   • Participate in the development of the investigation protocol (particularly by proposing sites and activities to be studied, interview guides and/or observation grids)

   • Conduct documentary analysis on high-risk industrial sectors (nuclear, petrochemical)

   • Participate in data collection within partner organizations using qualitative methodologies:

     • Conduct semi-structured interviews with personnel (managers, supervisors, engineers, technicians, operators);

     • Practice non-participant direct observation of work sequences within identified sites;

     • Write observation logs or any other document enabling the sharing of observations;

     • Prepare and potentially participate in focus groups.

   • Take part in the transcription and analysis of interviews, as well as the processing (manual and/or software-assisted analysis) and analysis of data

   • Contribute to the analysis of intermediate debriefings conducted by the team with the personnel concerned.

2. Contribute to the team's collective reflection

   • Actively contribute to the team's scientific meetings and the chair's research seminars (within the RESOH team and with partners)

3. Participate in team coordination meetings and debriefings with partner organizations (national, and local depending on the field sites)

   • Prepare debriefing materials

   • Participate in team discussions

   • Write reports of debriefings to interviewees

4. Disseminate and valorize the knowledge and results produced

   • Write papers for national and/or international conferences

   • Contribute to the organization and participate in scientific events organized by the team (e.g., study day)

   • Participate in the writing of scientific and popular science articles

Minimum education level and/or experience required:

• Doctorate obtained less than 3 years prior to the hiring date in sociology, management sciences, or ergonomics

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience:

• In-depth knowledge of one or more of the following areas: work, organization, management tools, STS (Science and Technology Studies), human resources

• Proficiency in qualitative approaches, having already conducted one or more case studies (semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation, focus groups),

• Excellent command of French for conducting interviews during field investigations with members of partner organizations

• Demonstrated relevant research experience for the current project, and an openness to interdisciplinary academic collaborations

Desirable skills, knowledge, and experience (Optional) :

• The team will carefully consider applications that demonstrate knowledge of literature on high-risk organizations, organizational reliability or resilience, and socio-technical approaches

• An interest in and knowledge of the industrial world will be appreciated.

• Ability to use qualitative analysis tools (such as NVivo) and bibliography management tools (such as Zotero)

Capabilities and aptitudes:

• Writing skills

• Organizational skills

• Autonomy in conducting field investigations

• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and multi-site research team

• Interest in technical issues, as the project is resolutely oriented towards industrial sectors where technology plays an important role. The recruited person will primarily work with the team of sociology and management researchers, but also in close interaction with engineers and technicians

• Sufficient English level to engage with Anglo-Saxon scientific literature

WHY JOIN US:

👉 An excellent research environment: Join IMT Atlantique, France's leading engineering school, and contribute to the innovative work of the RESOH chair on high-risk organizations, in collaboration with industrial and institutional partners.

👉 Stimulating intellectual challenges: Participate in empirical investigations, analyze qualitative data, and contribute to scientific production in an interdisciplinary framework combining sociology, management, and ergonomics.

👉 A concrete impact on society: Valorize research results by making them accessible to socio-economic actors, and influence organizational practices in key sectors such as industry, health, and the environment.

EXTRAS:

🥗 On-site collective catering

🏃‍♀️ Leisure/sports offers

🚌 Public transport coverage

🚴‍♂️ Sustainable mobility package (for carpooling or cycling commutes)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family allowance

💶 Wide range of social benefits

🖥️ Partial remote work possible

🌴 Numerous holidays

REMUNERATION INDICATIONS:

💰 Indicative remuneration: €35,800 gross per year, depending on profile and experience (reduced social security contributions in the public sector).

FOR ALL INFORMATION:

o Regarding the job content: Stéphanie TILLEMENT – Sociologist Professor-Researcher: o Regarding administrative/HR aspects: Mélissandre MORVAN – Recruitment Assistant: Application deadline: 10/23/2026

Contract start date: 01/01/2027

Interviews: on a rolling basis

Legal Mentions:

• Nature and duration of the contract: 18-month fixed-term contract under public law or detachment on contract for civil servants, renewable

• Job location: IMT Atlantique Nantes campus: 4 rue Alfred Kastler – La Chantrerie, 44307 Nantes

• For internal use:

  • Category – Job title: II P

• The positions offered for recruitment are open to all, with, upon request, accommodations for candidates with disabilities

• Position open to civil servants and/or contract employees

• All applications may be subject to an administrative investigation