Researcher Postdoc 2 years (+ 1 year) – ERC AdG MOVING: Colombia (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

- Contribute to the development of ethnographic and interdisciplinary methodologies to study the embodied traces and memories of African-originated slavery in the diasporic context of the Colombian Caribbean.
- Conduct fieldwork related to the research themes of the MOVING project, focusing on everyday life and associated somatic registers in the Colombian Caribbean
- Drawing on their fieldwork experience and practice, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute to collaborations with local artists during the second phase of the project. In the third phase, they will also help to establish a local “citizen science lab” in which they will invite interested residents from their fieldwork area to participate.

Activity

- Assist with organising the MOVING seminar and its activities.
- Fieldwork : 8 months in the Colombian Caribbean (Departamento del Magdalena), starting mid-June 2027
- Present research findings at scientific events (seminars, workshops, conferences, etc.)
- Assist with the organisation of the annual Summer Schools and the two main conferences (September 2027 and late 2029).
- Lead alongside Dr. BENEI experimental and artistic activities in Colombia (in the 'citizen science lab')
- Coordinate and support the work of artists involved in the project
- Promote and facilitate collaboration between artists, cultural venues and research centres.

• Work schedule:
- February to mid-June 2027: Paris*.
- Mid-June 2027 to February 2028: Fieldwork in the Colombian Caribbean (Department of Magdalena).
- March 2028 to February 2029: Paris*, writing conference presentations and academic articles. Occasional visits to fieldwork sites will be arranged in coordination with the programme's activities.

*While based in Paris between February and June, the postdoctoral researcher will participate in and contribute to the seminar “Living Bodies, Memories, Movements” (« Corps vivants, mémoires, mouvements »).

> This schedule covers the initial two-year period and will be reviewed in the event of a contract extension (up to a maximum of one additional year).

Your Profil

Skills

• Candidate Profile:
- PhD in the social sciences, preferably anthropology or sociology, or in intercultural studies.
- Previous fieldwork experience in the research area
- Experience of mobilising artistic practices in fieldwork is desirable.
- Personal practice involving bodily movement.
- Between zero and four years of postdoctoral or equivalent post-PhD experience.

• Knowledge:
- Thorough knowledge of the history of slavery in South America and of studies on the African presence in Colombia.
- Working knowledge of English (reading academic literature, oral presentations, writing documents, etc.).
- Knowledge of French appreciated

• Skills and Experience:
- Attentive listening and sensitive observation in ethnographic practice.
Proficiency in ethnographic methods, including arts-based approaches.
- Artistic experience in the performing arts, performance, theatre, dance, etc., particularly in relation to political themes, would be an advantage.

• Soft skills:
- Adaptability and capacity for self-reflection, active listening skills, kindness and empathy.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

Your Work Environment

• This recruitment is part of the ERC-2023-Advanced Grant research agreement entitled 'Moving Bodies and Memories of African Slavery in South America', “MOVING”, GA n°101142048, funded by the European Research Council (ERC). Prof. Véronique BENEÏ, research director at the CNRS, is its Principal Investigator (PI).

• The five-year ERC-funded MOVING project began in January 2025 and is currently in its second phase. It aims to develop an ethnographic and multi-disciplinary methodology to study the bodily traces of African-originated slavery in post-slavery and diasporic contexts. The project focuses on people's bodies, postures and moves, and the individual and social transformative potential of the movement of emotions and memories through that of bodies. The project explores how people with African heritage, who may not identify as 'Afro-descendants', can reclaim their history and transform their relationship to it through body-based and artistic practices. It researches Brazil, Chile, and Colombia, combining classic academic and ethnographic research, experimental and arts-based creative practices, and action-oriented research involving social participation of citizen scientists and the broader society .

• Assignment to the LAP, Laboratoire d'Anthropologie Politique, located within the EHESS (École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales) at 54 boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris.
- Dedicated workspace with access to the common facilities and services of the EHESS.
- Accessible to people with disabilities.
- Participation in the activities of the LAP.
- International travel to be expected.

Constraints and risks

-Fieldwork
- International travel
- International and multilingual team


• Modalities (please, see note on interested applicants below)
- All applications must be submitted in Spanish and English
- Please, apply through the CNRS-dedicated gate AND send the documents required at: moving@ehess.fr
- Applications until Friday 20th November 2026, 23:59 (Paris time)
- Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Tuesday 24th November. The first interview will be held online on Friday 27th November
- Pre-selected candidates will be auditioned in Paris on Friday 04th December.
- Expected start date of the contract: February 2027

• Applications must include the following documents:
- a CV
- a cover letter
- 2 letters of reference, one of which must be provided by the thesis supervisor
- Research proposal outlining the aspects the candidate wishes to develop, together with an indicative bibliography.
- Copy of the doctoral thesis and defense report
- List of publications, if applicable
- Copy of the doctoral degree

=> INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST MAKE THEMSELVES KNOWN IN ADVANCE in writing to moving@ehess.fr so further information regarding the project may be communicated to them.
This address may also be used for any questions regarding this call for applications.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

from 3130€ gross, 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

The research professions