Postdoctoral research position on inequality and housing M/F

Job Description

Missions

CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences is inviting applications for an 18-month postdoctoral research position as part of its support for research into inequalities. This call focuses on the following theme: 'Inequalities and housing'.
The position is based at the UMR CERAPS and co-hosted by the UMR Clersé.

This CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences postdoctoral position supports this initiative centred on a thematic priority shared by both institutions. Its aim is to provide significant experience of working within two research laboratories to a candidate who has held a PhD for less than three years at the time of taking up the post.

This research topic forms part of the 'SDG Reduced Inequalities Chair' led by the University of Lille, co-directed by Anne-Cécile Douillet (Professor, University of Lille/CERAPS) and Julien Talpin (Senior Researcher, CNRS, University of Lille/CERAPS). The research carried out by the successful candidate will build on the work conducted as part of an “open laboratory” on inequalities, which brought together researchers and local stakeholders (elected representatives, officials, representatives of civil society organisations, etc.) for nearly a year in 2023–2024. The aim of this work was to take stock of the current state of knowledge on inequalities and to explore ways of combating them more effectively. The findings were presented at a conference in early 2024 and led to a collective volume published by Presses Universitaires du Septentrion in 2025. Building on the 'open laboratory', the 'Reduced Inequalities' Chair is currently working on the preliminary development of a metropolitan observatory on inequalities.

Among the themes that emerged from the open laboratory, the issue of housing inequality was identified as one requiring further research, in conjunction with other studies being carried out at CERAPS and CLERSE.
The postdoctoral researcher will work using an approach combining urban and territorial sociology with the sociology of public action, particularly in the field of housing and property. The research topics developed by the postdoctoral researcher may cover various themes: the functioning of the housing market (ownership and rental); social, class, gender and ethno-racial inequalities in access to housing or property; mechanisms of segregation in urban, peri-urban or rural areas; urban governance of social inequalities and public policies to combat them; social movements and urban mobilisations in the field of housing.
The successful candidate will use quantitative and/or qualitative methods to conduct research at local and/or national level.
Preference will be given to research conducted in the Lille metropolitan area and the Hauts-de-France region, possibly in conjunction with other areas.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Fabien Desage, for CERAPS, where they will be based. They will benefit from joint academic supervision by Cécile Vignal for CLERSE (UMR8019).

Activity

LThe successful candidate will be involved in data collection and analysis, as well as in disseminating the findings. They may also be required to engage in collaborative knowledge-building with local community organisations and institutions. Finally, they may propose and lead study days, training sessions or initiatives to disseminate research on inequalities and public policy, with the support of the 'Reduced Inequalities' Chair.

The research will involve:
– a qualitative study: literature review and interviews on local and/or national policies relating to access to or ownership of housing, as well as public policies in this area and their socio-spatial effects;
– and quantitative analyses of inequalities in access to housing (data collection and statistical processing, and/or cartographic analysis); one of the key challenges will be to observe how these studies are received by public authorities or civil society organisations
– and/or a study of national or local pilot schemes or community initiatives aimed at combating housing inequalities
– citizen science initiatives aimed at promoting the generation, adoption and dissemination of knowledge on housing inequalities

Conducting original research at a local and/or national level will take up the majority of the role (70%). The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to build on previous work (15%).

Time will also be devoted to academic coordination: team meetings, organising seminars in the laboratories, liaising with local stakeholders in the housing sector (15%). For this aspect of the role, the successful candidate will liaise with the project manager of the 'Reducing Inequalities' Chair.

Your Profil

Skills

Required knowledge and skills:
- PhD in sociology, political science, geography or urban planning and development (awarded less than three years prior to 1 March 2026).
- Knowledge of the relevant research field (housing and urban issues): social, territorial, gender or ethno-racial inequalities; sociology of public action
- Solid experience of field research
- Proficiency in quantitative methods and data processing is an advantage
- Experience of participatory research and collaboration with community organisations and activists is an advantage
- Ability to coordinate a collaborative project in a spirit of horizontal cooperation between different forms of knowledge (academic and non-academic)
- Ability to write research reports and academic articles
- Ability to present findings orally and in writing
- Ability to integrate into a multidisciplinary working group
- Independence and a team spirit
- Ability to report on one's activities
- Ability to communicate the knowledge generated to community organisations, campaigners in the field of the right to housing, and institutional stakeholders
- Proactive approach
- Respect for confidentiality

Your Work Environment

The Centre for Administrative, Political and Social Studies and Research (CERAPS, UMR 8026) brings together political science, public law and sociology
The laboratory's research programme (2026–2030) is structured around five key areas: (1) Participation, representation, democracy; (2) Unequal social relations: domination, mobilisation, public (in)action; (3) International, Europe(s), transnational; (4) Environmental policy: law, public action, mobilisations; (5) Technologies, information and mobilisations in the digital age
For further information: https://ceraps.univ-lille.fr/

The successful candidate will report to the director of the research laboratory. He or she will have the opportunity to develop a high degree of autonomy by working directly with laboratory members and will be strongly encouraged to propose new initiatives that can showcase the laboratory's research.

The successful candidate will be based at CERAPS, where an office and a computer workstation will be provided. They will also be involved in the activities of Clersé. Travel expenses related to research will be covered by both laboratories.

For further information on the two laboratories:
https://ceraps.univ-lille.fr/
https://clerse.univ-lille.fr/

Constraints and risks

Short-term travel within France and possibly abroad is to be expected.
Working from home is an option, but regular attendance at the CERAPS and/or CLERSE offices is required.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

between €2,900 and €3,300 gross per month, depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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