The Space Chair at ENS-PSL expands its research team with the recruitment of a post-doc in sustainability sciences / Earth and atmospheric sciences / Environmental Studies.
Work environment and research topics
Research topics:
– First axis: diversification of uses of outer space, evolution of representations of space, in particular in connection with these new uses (commercial, military, scientific, etc).
– Second axis: how can we conceive of space as a “territory or common good” for humanity, and what are the resulting tensions? The Chair is particularly interested in the following double tension: tension between the ambition of a common good and the logic of commercial appropriation (of natural resources and of space as a circulation zone); tension between the ambition of a common good and the use of space as a stake and lever of sovereignty. In other words, how can we ensure that space emerges as a common good, in the economic and legal sense, in the face of, on the one hand, the multiplication of private uses of space and, on the other, the ambitions of states?
– Third axis: What contribution can space make to preserving the planet? And what sustainable uses of space?
The post-doc is expected to contribute to the third axis of research of the Chair, in particular by developing research on sustainable pathways for development of human activities in the Earth’s orbital space.
The Chair’s activities are characterized by a broad spectrum of interdisciplinarity, reflected in the diversity of PSL University’s research communities(CERES, CIENS, CIEE, ENS Geosciences Department, ENS Chair in Geopolitics of Risk, Observatoire de Paris), which are directly involved in the Chair via its scientific steering committee.
More on the activities and scientific program of the Space Chair here.
Candidate profile
Candidates must hold a PhD (or have one by January 2025 at the latest) in sustainability, Earth and atmospheric sciences, or environmental studies.
Please note: Candidates may, but need not, have already worked on research topics related to space. The Chair is also intended to encourage researchers to take space as a new field of study.
Ability to work within a multidisciplinary project is expected.
Duration: 2 years – Full time
Contract start date: From 1st February 2025
Salary (gross salary): Between 3012 et 3580 euros depending on year of PhD
The post-doc will work in Paris, at the Ecole normale supérieure. The Space Chair offices are located on the ENS rue d’Ulm campus, in the fifth arrondissement of Paris. The post-doc will also be attached to CERES or/and another lab at ENS, depending on her/his profile.
For further information, please write to stephanie.ruphy@ens.psl.eu (ENS, scientific director of the chair)
To apply – Deadline December 1, 2024
Required documents:
– a CV (with list of publications)
– a letter of motivation
– a short research project (5 to 8 pages maximum) describing how you will contribute to the work of the Chair and the suitability of your profile.
– two letters of recommendation
Shortlisted candidates will be invited by December 4, 2024 for a visio audition to be held during the week of December 9, 2024.
Applications should be sent (as a single pdf file) to stephanie.ruphy@ens.psl.eu (Scientific Director of the Chair) and stephanie.braquehais@ens.psl.eu (Project Manager).
