DECRIPT - Call for applications/ Doctoral contract (5 vacancies)

Context and objectives of the position

Founded in 1795, Inalco is a research university in the heart of Paris, offering teaching and research in over 100 languages, as well as humanities ​​and social sciences with a special focus on non-Western areas. Hosting 340 tenured academics and 160 administrative staff, it offers training to over 8000 students. Inalco’s research activities are conducted within 14 research teams, combining global and area studies with disciplinary fields.

DECRIPT is a multidisiplinary research and transfer program in global and area studies. Focusing on the analysis of the relationship between civilisational narratives, universalism and conflict logics, DECRIPT blends humanities, social sciences, and data analytics to produce empirically grounded, policy-relevant research on these critical challenges on a global scale and in 4 key areas (Indo-Pacific, Africa, Ukraine and the former Soviet world, Near East and Middle East). The program approaches civilisational narratives as socially, strategically and ideologically constructed discourses, articulating specific understandings of historical trajectories, cultural values and collective roles in the world order. Through its innovative Lab, it aims to connect researchers, policy makers and society to develop original research tools and analytical frameorks to address and navigate an increasingly narrative-driven global order.

DECRIPT brings together nearly 400 researchers and practicioners from 15 consortium partners including major French universities (Université Paris 1 Panthéon Sorbonne, Université Paris Panthéon-Assas, Université Paris Sciences & Lettres (PSL), Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (USN), Université Paris 8, Université Bordeaux Montaigne (UBM), Université de Strasbourg (UNISTRA), Sciences Po Paris, Sciences Po Bordeaux, Sciences Po Lille), research organizations (CNRS, IRD) as well as leading institutions in the area of international relations practices as well as policy transfer (AFD, IFRI). DECRIPT also relies on a network of over 50 stakeholders, including international actors chosen to enhance scientific excellence, partenarial research in the program’s areas of specialization, and societal transfer.

Five contractual doctoral researchers, simultaneously integrated into one of the consortium's doctoral schools, a research unit within their enrollment institution, and DECRIPT’s team and program, will contribute to the scientific animation of the work package (WP) for which they will be respectively recruited while carrying out their doctoral research project in connection with their thesis supervisor.

Doctoral candidates will be hosted in one of the project's branches (Paris, Bordeaux, Lille). They will be required to actively participate in their WP’s regular research seminars, to take part in the collective tasks carried out within the framework of the program, and to contribute to its transfer schemes.

Respectively recruited at the level of each work package (see below), doctoral candidates may work at one of the following instituions : Inalco ; Université Paris,  Panthéon Assas ; Sciences Po Bordeaux ; Sciences Po Lille ; Université Paris I ; Université Sorbonne Nouvelle ; Sciences Po Paris.

Work programs (1 contract per program)

Cross-functional program on multilateral governance and civilizational narratives (WP3)

WP3 examines macro-level changes in the international system and compares the political and institutional effects of specific civilizational narratives on the world stage. It seeks to develop a typology of challenges to the international system and universal norms, moving beyond simplistic "Global South" vs. "West" categorisations; to assess the evolution of civilizational narratives within various international arenas (UN-system institutions, OIC, BRICS, etc.) to highlight how contestations of universalism impact collective efforts to address global challenges such as conflict resolution, weapons control, development, climate change, natural resources management, and migration; and to examine North American and European actors' projection of values, exploring how it faces increasing criticism on the ground of neo-imperialism and investigating Western actors’s shift from universalist to more civilizational narratives.

Indo-Pacific Program (WP4)

WP4 examines the Indo-Pacific region as a crucible of competing worldviews. It explores the spectrum of civilizational narratives underpinning conflicting geopolitical agendas, from those presented as compatible with the current world order while drawing on reinvented "local" references (e.g. India's incorporation of Hindu concepts in foreign policy) to more differentialist perspectives (e.g. China's use of historical references to reshape regional and global order). The program investigates how such narratives legitimize emerging nations' reformist claims on global governance structures, concrete geopolitical objectives, and political or economic models. This work package places a particular emphasis on China as a key actor in shaping civilizational discourse in international relations.

Africa Program - Sahel Focus (WP5)

WP5 explores how civilizational narratives actualize post-colonial divides in political discourse, considering their interplay with resurging sovereignty claims in African societies and international relations, local conflict dynamics, and governance models. It pays attention to the role of religious beliefs and local institutions in shaping these narratives, and how they are also fueled both by local and external actors, notably China and Russia, to challenge Western-led development and presence, and to legitimize non-democratic governance practices. This work package focuses particularly on the Sahel region as a focal point for competing narratives and external influences, while examining their broader continental and international implications.

Middle East Program (WP6)

WP6 studies the Middle East as a juncture of multilevel tensions involving civilizational narratives that have also influenced global imaginaries. It examines the changing and contested nature of civilizational and identity politics in the region, from Pan-Arabism and (neo)-Ottomanism to pan-Islamist and apoist perspectives. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its neighboring developments, notably in Lebanon, serves as a focal point, exploring how it has generated transnational solidarities, shaped discourses of justice and legitimacy and influenced mobilization practices in the region and beyond.

Europe-Eurasia Program (WP7)

WP7 covers a region marked by a shared past of multinational empires, socialist experimentation, and challenging integration into the liberal international order. It examines the development of contrasting civilizational narratives across States, reflecting a spectrum of worldviews that range from embracing European identity and political liberalism (e.g. Baltic states, Ukraine) to a wide range of anti-liberal postures (e.g., Hungary, Poland, Russia, Serbia). The program explores how civilizationism has been weaponized in regional conflicts, notably in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but also in tensions such as Armenia-Azerbaijan, Georgia-Russia, or Serbia-Kosovo-Albania. Placing a particular emphasis on Ukraine, this WP also investigates how these narratives bridge contestations of the liberal world order from the Global South with internal challenges to liberal democracy in Western societies, blending left-wing and right-wing anticolonial traditions.

Missions and activities

Selected candidates will carry out their doctoral project in collaboration with their thesis supervisor and they will be involved in the scientific activities and daily animation of the work package for which they will be respectively recruited.

They will have a workspace in one of the project's branches (Paris, Bordeaux, Lille), and will actively participate in the collective tasks carried out within the framework of the program as well as in its transfer mechanisms to society and public policies.

They will benefit from additional funding for their research.

Expected status and skills

Candidates must be finishing their M.A./M.Phil program, hold a M.A./M.Phil degree, or be enrolled in the first year of a PhD at the time of their application.

The selected candidates must have validated their M.A./M.Phil and be admitted to a doctoral program by one of the following consortium members’ doctoral school before the start of their contract : Inalco ; Université Paris Panthéon Assas ; Sciences Po Bordeaux ; Sciences Po Lille ; Université Paris I ; Université Sorbonne Nouvelle ; Sciences Po Paris.

Enrollment disciplines: humanities and social sciences, particularly area studies, political science, public law, sociology, history, literature, anthropology, linguistics, economics, geography, information and communication sciences.

Language skills: proficiency in English and at least one language of the studied area, at a sufficient level to access and use primary sources. Proficiency in French is desirable. 

Ability to work autonomously as well as within a team, punctuality, reliability.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, punctuality, reliability.

Application file

Applications must be completed and sent no later than Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 6:00 pm (GMT+1).
They consist of two parts:
1. A administrative application form, to be completed at the following address:
https://www.inalco.fr/form/decript-contrat-doctoral

2. A application file, to be sent to decript@inalco.fr, consisting of the following documents:
- CVincluding training, diplomas, achievements, professional experience and any other elements deemed relevant;
- Letter of motivation showing the coherence between the thesis project, the skills, interests and professional projects of the candidate, and the general theme of the DECRIPT program (2 pages maximum); 
- Thesis project inscribed in the theme of DECRIPT and the work package concerned by the application(six pages maximum). The project will have to develop the problematic, the methodological perspectives and the sources which will be used to carry out the project. It will be accompanied by a bibliography and a provisional timetable, demonstrating the candidate's ability to project himself/herself into a solid and achievable work program;
- Letter of recommendation from the thesis director, current (PhD students already enrolled in the first year of their thesis) or prospective;
- Copy of degrees and diplomas, Master's transcript, language level certificate if applicable ;
- Additional documents depending on profile:
o Candidates currently in Master 2: copy of Master 1 dissertation and/or at least one example of substantial publication or writing work;
o Candidates holding a Master 2: copy of Master final dissertation, any publications;
o Candidates currently in first year of thesis: copy of Master final dissertation, thesis progress, any publications

NB: Sending via We Transfer or France Transfert is preferred for large files.

Compensation and working conditions

Contract duration: 3 years
Contract type: doctoral contract (Decree no. 2009-464 of April 23, 2009 relating to contract doctoral students in public establishments for a period of 3 years with compensation: €2,200 gross/month
Environmental expenses : annual envelope of €1,500 to €2,000 for research expenses and travel

Position location: 57 boulevard Raspail (main location), Bordeaux or Sciences Po Lille (depending on specialization and assignment); regular travel to Paris is to be expected for PhD students who would be assigned to Lille or Bordeaux.

Provisional timetable

• Application deadline : June 12, 2025
• Pre-selection announcement : June 24, 2025
• Auditions (by videoconference or in person): between June 30 and July 7, 2025
• Sending of results: July 11, 2025
• Registration to doctoral school, signing of employment contract and installation: between September 2025 and November 2025 (according to doctoral schools' respective calendars)