Iméra, the Institute for Advanced Study of Aix Marseille Université, is hiring a research engineer in institutional history for an 18-month period starting in March 2026.
Closing date: January 30th, 2026
In preparation for the twentieth anniversary of Iméra, the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) of Aix Marseille Université, the research engineer will make a significant contribution to a collective project focusing on the history, current activities, positioning and prospects of Iméra.
This will involve documentation, reflection, storytelling as well as original and creative promotion. It will be carried out at national and international level, in close collaboration with the scientific team and the working group (experts, scholars and artists) responsible for designing and implementing this collective project.
- Contract start date: March 2026
- Contract duration: 18 months
- Monthly salary: €2,000 net
Context and specific aspects of the position
This mission is based at Iméra, a university foundation which each year hosts around thirty researchers and artists from all disciplines and nationalities, and organises a wide range of academic events.
It is characterised by significant challenges related to:
- The ambitions of Iméra, which, as a UBIAS (University-Based Institutes for Advanced Study), is strategic for the local and international influence of Aix Marseille Université;
- Its integration into several networks of institutes for advanced study at national, European and international levels, namely the RFIEA (French Network of Institutes for Advanced Study), NETIAS (Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study) and UBIAS;
- Its partnerships with scientific, cultural and institutional institutes of the highest calibre and at all levels of the institute;
- Its upward trajectory in terms of the quality of the scientific and cultural projects it incubates;
- The profiles of its internationally renowned residents.
Activities
- Identifying, listing, describing, cataloguing and contextualising textual, graphic, iconographic and audio documentary sources relating to the history of Iméra, on all types of media.
- Creating an Iméra archive in which the most important and significant of these sources will be preserved and made accessible, in conjunction with the IT, digital and multimedia assistant.
- Using and promoting these sources quantitatively (data extraction, statistics, indicators) and qualitatively (individual trajectories, key encounters and events, key moments).
- Conducting and promoting individual and group interviews with key figures in Iméra’s history and current affairs.
- Conducting and promoting individual and group interviews with fellows in residence at Iméra.
- To be the lead author of a scientific article in a peer-reviewed journal specialising in interdisciplinary studies and/or research policy. This article will be based on qualitative and quantitative research into the “Iméra formula”, in relation to the IAS context. It will draw on the activities mentioned above and may be based on :
- The experiences and perspectives of former fellows, as well as quantitative indicators of their success, providing empirical evidence of Iméra’s success and the value of its approach.
- A mixed approach combining in-depth interviews with the fellows and a statistical analysis of the impact of their time at Iméra.
- Contributing to the organisation of events related to the celebration of Iméra’s twentieth anniversary.
- Providing a significant boost and contribution to the creation of a network of Iméra alumni, in conjunction with the resident survey mentioned above.
- Helping define a strategy to attract donations from alumni in connection with the celebration of Iméra’s twentieth anniversary.
Main skills
- Knowledge of the history of academic institutions (in-depth knowledge)
- A plus would be to have already written an article or a paper on the history of a research institution.
- Methods of prospecting and inventorying historical and cultural sources (in-depth knowledge).
- Data production methods and tools (in-depth knowledge).
- Data processing and analysis methods and tools (in-depth knowledge).
- Database management systems (general knowledge).
- Long-term archiving of research data (application).
- Written and oral presentation techniques.
- Proficiency in English and French.
- Ability to develop data collection tools (questionnaires, interviews, etc.).
- Ability to use a database.
- Ability to locate, list, analyse and criticise data (knowing how to assess the relevance of data or sources).
- Ability to formalise techniques and methods.
- Ability to write scientific reports, documents and publications.
- Ability to mobilise and lead networks.
Required regulatory qualifications
- Doctorate, engineering degree.
- Knowledge and/or practical experience of institutes for advanced study would be a plus.
Application
Applicants must send :
- a detailed cover letter,
- an academic CV,
- a selection of three (3) previously published articles,
- and (if available) additional documents relating to a similar academic project.
Applications should be sent to Enrico Donaggio, Scientific Director of Iméra: enrico.donaggio@univ-amu.fr
