Mass violence: collective and individual experiences, memory processes and transitional justice M/F

Job Description

Summary of the scientific project

This CPJ focuses on contemporary mass violence, centering its analysis on post-conflict transitions (reconstruction processes, pacification, national reconciliation, transitional justice, reparations, and memory). It examines acts of dehumanization and the narratives surrounding them through the lens of individual and collective experiences. The focus may be on:
- The evolution of forms of violence or the recurring mechanisms characteristic of mass violence.
- Approaches related to the political instrumentalization of memory, historical reconstructions and their social and territorial consequences, various forms of revisionism and impunity, and the gendered nature of violence.
- The place and role of international law, criminal law, and local dynamics in post-conflict contexts.
- Artistic, literary, and media expressions.
The project has to be build on IFPO's existing research areas.

Summary of the teaching project

Teaching will be discussed according to the site which the successful candidate is assigned to. He/She will be involved in teaching on existing courses at each site.

Potential host facilities

• INSHS - CNRS Sciences humaines & sociales
• LESC - Laboratoire d'ethnologie et de sociologie comparative
• DICE - Droits international, comparé et européen
• PALOC - Patrimoines locaux, environnement et globalisation
• IHTP - Institut d'histoire du temps présent

Your Profil

Profile Required

Holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific qualifications or carried out scientific work deemed to be of an equivalent level.There is no restriction on the age or nationality of applicants. All CNRS positions are accessible to people with disabilities, with special arrangements for tests made necessary by the nature of the disability

Your Work Environment

Host Lab Strategy

The Césor supports research that examines the interplay between religion and politics in the context of intense tensions and identity-based conflicts in the Christian and Muslim Near East. Research on the legal framework for addressing mass violence and on transitional justice would strengthen the UMR DICE. The IHTP conducts research on the history of 20th-century wars and their memories, while contributing to a new historiography of the contemporary era, focused on history whose witnesses are still alive. The IHTP is launching research projects on the recent history of post-decolonization conflicts in the 20th century, their collective memories, the uses and politics of the past, and law and justice. The LESC supports the development of a research axis titled “Gray Zones and Turbulence,” which analyzes critical situations, conflicts, and associated difficult memories.

Institution Strategy

The CNRS Sciences humaines & sociales' 2025 Stratégic Report highlighted how the theme of “war and peace” lacks an academic framework equivalent to War and Peace Studies developed in the Anglo-Saxon world. The purpose of this Chair is to address armed conflicts by moving beyond the binary opposition of war and peace. The Chair's research will advance understanding of national reconciliation processes, the collective memory of mass violence, and the ways in which transitional justice addresses human rights violations. The project will place acts of dehumanization and their narratives at the center of its inquiry, viewed through the lens of individual and collective experiences. Emphasis may be placed on the evolving forms of violence or the recurring mechanisms characteristic of mass violence. Approaches related to the political instrumentalization of memory, historical reconstructions and their social and territorial consequences, various forms of revisionism and impunity, and the gendered nature of violence may be considered. Research may address the place and role of international law, criminal law, and local dynamics in post-conflict contexts (legal mechanisms for classifying mass violence, challenges of transitional justice, and complexities of reparations).
Particular attention may be given to artistic, literary, and media expressions. Given the desired collaboration with the IFPO, the project will draw on research areas within its scope of expertise (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Palestinian Territories). In this regard, the project led by the chairholder will include a program of long-term field missions throughout the duration of the contract within this UMIFRE.

International Strategy

Conceived as a Chair of Joint Research (CPJ) within a strengthened scientific dialogue with the French Institute for the Near East (IFPO – CNRS/MEAE UAR 3135/UMIFRE), the project led by the Chair holder will incorporate scientific cooperation activities and a programme of long-term mobility within this unit abroad. The Chair holder will be expected to implement actions and set up partnerships in the given thematic field and particularly to commit to submitting a project in the framework of European calls for proposals like ERC, Horizon Europe Consortium, etc. during the 5 years of his/her contract.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Annual salary from 54 600 Euros to 57 800 Euros depending on professionnal experience.

Total funding

200k€

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€

Research Policy

Open Science

The CNRS is developing a strong policy in favor of open science. Open science consists of making research results "as accessible as possible and closed as necessary". As such, the CNRS aims to make 100% of the texts of publications resulting from the work of its laboratories accessible , in particular through deposit in HAL. The data produced must also be made available and reusable, except for specific restrictions. In addition, the guiding principles of individual evaluation have been revised in accordance with the DORA declaration, to be more qualitative and to take into account all facets of the researcher's profession.

Science and society

The relationship between science and society is now recognized as a full dimension of scientific activity. The project will develop this dimension in synergy with all the partners. The resulting research work will contribute to informing public decision-making. Participatory science initiatives may be initiated with actors from the project’s socio-economic and cultural eco-system.

Scientific dissemination

The dissemination of the results will be done through world-class scientific productions: publications, patents, software... In addition, the results will be communicated to various targets such as scientific communities, media, decision makers, general public, schools, etc., with an adapted calendar. Specific tools may be developed such as websites, newsletters, meetings, international symposia, summer schools and conferences.

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