Missions

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join an international and interdisciplinary research team undertaking an “international analysis of work-related suicides from a social justice perspective.” This research project, funded by the Wellcome Trust, aims to deepen the understanding of causes and contexts of work-related suicide in three national contexts: the United Kingdom, France, and Canada. The project is grounded in a social justice perspective, focusing on issues of justice, recognition, equity, responsibility, and prevention for both suicidal individuals and bereaved families.
You will be hired as a postdoctoral researcher and will actively contribute to a qualitative research programme, including case identification, interviews, research analysis, document analysis, and data analysis. You will also contribute to broader research activities and deliverables, including publications, reports, conferences, and the dissemination of results online and on select social media platforms. Travel will be required to conduct interviews, attend international conferences, and participate in research team meetings. This is an action-oriented project, and we seek to use our research findings to support policy change and improve lived experiences.

Activités

You will conduct interviews with research participants who have experienced suicidality or bereavement due to suicide. You will work with the team to analyze qualitative and quantitative data in France and help prepare research articles and reports. You will also contribute to a comparative analysis of different systems regarding the causes and consequences of work-related suicide. Further responsibilities include supporting our online and social media publications, interacting with policymakers and stakeholders at national and international levels, and participating in the creative, diverse, and impactful dissemination of research results involving various socioeconomic and cultural groups and a wide range of stakeholders.

Compétences

Essential Skills
• Experience with qualitative and interdisciplinary research in sensitive areas, acquired through a PhD or equivalent experience.
• Experience conducting interviews on sensitive topics.
• Experience in data collection, organization, and analysis.
• Evidence of contribution to research and scholarship through publications or relevant project work.
• Ability to collect and utilize research data using qualitative methods.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Strong data management and organizational skills.
• Experience producing results for the web and social media.
• Knowledge or experience of data management and obligations relating to GDPR.
• Commitment to a positive and supportive research culture and the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Fluency in French (C2 level)
• Mastery of spoken and written English (C1 level).
Desirable Skills
• Lived experience of suicidality, whether through personal, professional, or bereavement experience.
• Experience in suicide research.
• Experience in research on the workplace or work-related studies.
• Experience with data collection and analysis.
• Experience collaborating with external partners such as policymakers, unions, charities, and campaign groups.
• Experience working on transnational projects.

Contexte de travail

This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with an interdisciplinary and transnational research team, acquire practical experience with advanced methodologies, and contribute to impactful research that bridges academic work and real-world policy. You will be based in Bordeaux, within the CIECST (International Chair for Comparative Studies on Occupational Health) at COMPTRASEC (Centre for Comparative Labour and Social Security Law, UMR5114), and work under the scientific direction of Loïc Lerouge (CNRS Research Director). You will be part of a supportive and socially active research centre, working closely with the principal investigator Professor Sarah Waters (University of Leeds), co-investigators Dr. China Mills (Healing Justice London), Professor Steven Bittle (University of Ottawa, Canada), as well as two research assistants and a project coordinator.

Contraintes et risques

Based in Bordeaux, ideally the selected candidate will reside nearby. The position also involves national travel to meet interviewees and international travel for attending team meetings and research dissemination events.