Postdoctoral Researcher – Transnational Dimensions of the French Home Front in the Longue Durée – Sciences Po

Postdoctoral Researcher – Transnational Dimensions of the French Home Front in the Longue Durée – Sciences Po

• Institution: Sciences Po

• Academic Unit / Department: Centre d’Histoire

• Job Reference / Requisition ID: ERC Advanced Grant – “The Global War on Civilians, 1905–1945”

• Appointment Type: Temporary Contract, Full-Time

• Academic Rank / Level: Postdoctoral Researcher

• Salary / Remuneration: Competitive salary including social benefits, plus travel and research expense allowance

• Location: Paris, France

• Application Deadline: October 1, 2026

📋 Overview of Role

Sciences Po’s Centre d’Histoire invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher funded by the European Research Council Advanced Grant project “The Global War on Civilians, 1905–1945.” The successful candidate will investigate the transnational dimensions of the French home front from World War I through World War II, examining warfare, civil defense, food provision, morale, bombing and the circulation of ideas and practices.

The researcher will work under the direct supervision of Principal Investigator Prof. Sheldon Garon and collaborate closely with an international research team examining the global history of warfare against civilians.

🎯 Key Responsibilities & Teaching Scope

• Conduct extensive historical and archival research in French archives, libraries and digital collections.

• Investigate the French home front from World War I through World War II, including civil defense, food provision, morale and civilian mobilization.

• Examine France’s role in the transnational circulation of ideas and practices concerning warfare against civilians.

• Research French responses to air raids, Allied bombing and the destruction of cities.

• Investigate French aerial warfare strategies and the relationship between colonial and European bombing practices.

• Publish at least two papers in English related to the project, including one contribution to a collective volume edited by the PI.

• Participate in project workshops and conferences throughout the five-year project.

• Collaborate with other team members to identify transnational connections among national case studies.

• Assist the PI with research for the book When Home Fronts Became Battlegrounds: The Global War on Civilians.

• Contribute to the project’s Dataset and Glossary.

🎓 Qualifications & Candidate Profile

• Required Education: PhD, with the dissertation defense completed before the start date.

• Experience & Specializations: Strong expertise in historical and archival research, particularly in France.

• Preference will be given to candidates with research experience concerning war and society in France from 1914 through the end of World War II.

• Ability to develop and conduct research across archives in France and Europe.

• Excellent skills in collecting and preparing historical data for datasets.

• Excellent writing and communication skills.

• Language Requirements: Advanced level of English.

• Strong teamwork skills.

• Must have legal permission to work in the European Union.

💼 Remuneration & Benefits

• Contract Duration: 24 months.

• Employment: Full-time Postdoctoral Researcher.

• Salary: Competitive salary including social benefits.

• Research Support: Allowance for travel and research expenses.

• Opportunity to work within an international research team focused on the global history of warfare against civilians.

• Affiliation with Sciences Po in Paris.

📄 Application Checklist & Required Documents

1. Application Letter of no more than two pages explaining qualifications, motivation and expected contribution to the project.

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) including education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience, other qualifying activities and publications.

3. Scanned Copies of Relevant Diplomas and Certificates

4. Final Report on the PhD Dissertation (“Rapport final de soutenance”)

5. Contact Information for Two Academic References, including email addresses and telephone numbers.

📬 Application Process

• 🔗 Application Link: Apply now

• 📧 Contact / Application Email: Alexandra Shubenkova, ERC Project Manager — alexandra.shubenkova@sciencespo.fr

• 📅 Deadline: October 1, 2026

• Interview Date: Successful applicants will be interviewed by December 1, 2026.

• Expected Start Date: January 1, 2027

• Application Note: The selected candidate must have legal permission to work in the European Union.

🌐 Official Website / Domain: https://www.sciencespo.fr/