Missions

The REGANET Chair – Non-State Actors, Regulation, and Social Transformations aims to develop research on the growing role of non-state actors in shaping societies — from associations and NGOs to think tanks and private firms. The involvement of these actors raises key questions about their legitimacy to represent the public interest or specific private interests, conflicts of interest and regulatory capture — all of which challenge the authority of administrative and political institutions.
Within the Chair, a research project is currently being developed on the privatization of borders. The first strand of this project examines the role of external expertise (research institutes, consulting firms, think tanks) in shaping migration policies.The postdoctoral researcher will lead the second strand, focusing on the outsourcing and privatization of border management. The position involves conducting fieldwork on the role of private companies in implementing migration policies at borders, particularly in France. The postdoc will carry out interviews and participant observation with relevant actors and organizations to produce original empirical data. They will be expected to disseminate research findings through publications and presentations at national and international conferences, in both English and French.
A secondary mission will be to actively contribute to the intellectual life and activities of the REGANET Chair — participating in seminars, collective projects, and broader reflections on the role of private actors in public policy and the transformation of the state.

Activités

• Review and critically engage with the academic literature on migration policies
• Develop a research design and analytical framework addressing the project's core questions
• Conduct qualitative including interviews and ethnographic observations and/or quantitative fieldwork,
• Write and publish academic papers, research reports, and conference presentations
• Present research results in academic and public settings
• Participate in the scientific activities of the REGANET Chair (seminars, workshops, collaborations)

Compétences

• PhD in sociology or political science
• General knowledge of migration policies and/or the privatization of public policies
• Strong command of qualitative (interviews, ethnography) and/or quantitative research methods
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills

Contexte de travail

The position is based at the Centre européen de sociologie et de science politique (CESSP, CNRS UMR 8209 – EHESS – Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne) and is directly associated with the REGANET Chair.
The postdoctoral researcher will work under the scientific supervision of Dr. Lola Avril, Junior Professor and holder of the REGANET Chair.