Call for Applications for Postdoctoral Research Position at the AxPo Observatory of Market Society Polarization at Sciences Po, Paris, France

General information

Position Definition: Post-doctoral researcher

Location: The postdoctoral researcher will be based at the AxPo Observatory of Market Society Polarization at Sciences Po in Paris, France 

Type of contract: Temporary contract

Contract duration: 24 months 

Expected hiring date: 1 September 2026

Work time: full-time

Required degree level: PhD in Sociology, Political Science, Economics, or related fields

Application deadline: 5 January 2026

Applications are invited for a 2-year Postdoctoral Research Position at the AxPo Observatory of Market Society Polarization at Sciences Po in Paris, France, for a position starting date of September 1, 2026. 

The purpose of AxPo’s research program is to bring together social-science research on multiple forms of polarization which may contribute to the fragmentation of democratic market societies. 

The recruitment of this postdoctoral position will focus on socio-economic polarization and fragmentation, including inequality, segregation and discrimination, and their interrelations. 

Qualified candidates will have a background in Sociology, Political Science, Economics, or in related disciplines, i.e. History, Geography, etc. 

Once hired, AxPo postdoctoral researchers will be members of both the AxPo observatory and one other Sciences Po research center (notably the CEE, CRIS, CEVIPOF, Department of Economics, or CSO).

Additionally, AxPo postdocs will be encouraged to spend a short time at one of the two external partner research institutions: MPIfG and the CEU-DI. Similarly, AxPo offers to host other postdocs from these two institutions for short research stays. This mobility allows postdoctoral fellows to showcase and develop their research in different contexts, with different research partners and specializations.

Sciences Po is one of France’s leading institutions for research and teaching in the social sciences, law, and history.

For further information about AxPo’s postdoctoral research program, see https://www.sciencespo.fr/axpo/.

The annual gross salary will be 42,500 €. Employment in France guarantees full access to healthcare and other social security benefits. 

This postdoc position is intended for excellent early-career researchers. To be eligible, candidates must have defended – or be due to defend – their PhD between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2026. Sciences Po’s working languages are English and French; speaking French is not a requirement for the position. 

The postdoctoral researchers are expected to undertake research within AxPo’s academic area, broadly defined. Postdoctoral researchers will participate in all academic activities organized by both the AxPo Observatory and their host research center in Sciences Po: research seminars, workshops, conferences, etc., and will have the opportunity to organize meetings and workshops on subjects related to their own research. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The chair of the selection committee is Olivier Godechot (AxPo director and Center for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS)), with Zsófia Barta (Center for European Studies and Comparative Politics (CEE)), Damien Bol (Center for Political Research (CEVIPOF)), Philipp Brandt (Center for the Sociology of Organizations (CSO)), Mathilde Emeriau (Medialab), Isabelle Méjean (Department of Economics), and Karen Lillie (MPIfG in Cologne).

Applicants are asked to complete an online application Google form and submit through the application portal a PDF file that combines the following elements into one single file:

1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Postdoctoral research project title & abstract (200 words maximum)
4. Postdoctoral research project summary (1000 words maximum, excluding bibliography)
5. Job market paper
6. List of 3 most relevant publications, stating the name of the journal (including R&R and "submitted" statuses)
7. The name of a professor at Sciences Po who could serve as a potential mentor (you do not need to have prior agreement)
8. Which other research center at Sciences Po besides AxPo could be a secondary affiliation (simply indicate your interest; you do not need to have prior approval)
9. Names, email addresses, and affiliations of 3 academic referees.* 

*Please send your letter-writers the link below to the Google form and ask them to submit their reference letter using this form (and attached letter) by 5 January 2026: https://forms.gle/xnhgNLke3e5YRVu96

Applicants will be also asked to send their PhD dissertation in its current stage of completion in a separate PDF document.

The deadline for receipt of applications and letters of recommendation is 23:59 EST on Monday, January 5th, 2026.

Candidates who are shortlisted for an interview will be informed in late January 2026 and interviews are expected to take place on Zoom at the end of January 2026.

The online application form is available here: 

https://forms.gle/DVJH64s3euuYvWsW9

AxPo Observatory of Market Society Polarization at Sciences Po in Paris follows an equal opportunities policy.

Due to Google Form requirements, applicants need to have a Google account to submit their PDF online. Applicants who do not want to open a Google account can send an email to allison.rovny@sciencespo.fr to request an alternative channel.