Recommendations for submitting an application to the “Interdisciplinary
Explorations” program
1. The research project must have a content relevant to the intention of spending a research stay in an institute for advanced study based in Marseille.
2. The research project must have a content relevant to the thematic lines of the “Interdisciplinary Explorations” program.
Application and Residency
Conditions 2025-26
The “Sustainable Development and Interdisciplinarity” chair aims to develop research programs at the highest international level on all sustainable development themes, particularly those outlined in the United Nations ’17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)’, using innovative interdisciplinary approaches.
The goal is to investigate phenomena at various scales and help solve complex real-world problems that existing disciplines have not yet convincingly addressed. Areas of interest include (but are not limited to): climate change, land use change, conservation of continental and marine biodiversity, cities and urbanization, agriculture/fisheries and food security, pollution, health, labor, education, and mobility, all in relation to sustainable development.
Special consideration will be given to:
- Researchers who have critically explored the concept of sustainability and developed theoretical or practical analyses regarding its foundations and/or implementation.
- Researchers who have produced innovative and original results in their field, while reflecting on their own discipline and how interdisciplinary dialogue can enrich it, shaping research themes, societal impacts, and policy guidance.
- Researchers who are developing or intend to develop interdisciplinary collaborations in practice, broadly integrating physical sciences, natural sciences, social sciences, and health sciences.
Application deadline: October 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM (French time)
Residency duration: 10 months (preferably)
Residency period: from September 1, 2025 to July 3, 2026 (10 months – full year)
Applications are open to all research areas developed by the IRD or its partners in the Global South. They should preferably involve collaboration with one or more IRD research units at the Aix Marseille site or nationally. Eligible candidates must meet the following conditions:
- Not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the call for applications
- Hold a Ph.D. or doctorate
- Have a work contract (permanent or not) in a foreign university or research institution during the residency
- Demonstrate proven scientific excellence in a research area related to sustainable development
The chair holder receives a monthly allowance of 2500 euros.
They also benefit from travel expense coverage and free accommodation on the Iméra site.
The evaluation criteria include, but are not limited to:
- The candidate’s scientific excellence according to the highest international standards in the field
- The scientific excellence and particularly the interdisciplinary dimension of the project, crucial for the researcher’s integration into Iméra’s collective creative dynamics
- The ability to foster scientific collaboration between IRD and Iméra within the framework of the Interdisciplinarity Chair’s activities
- The scientific excellence and originality of the proposed series of public lectures
The online application file consists of the following documents:
– The completed application form (mandatory fields)
– Files to upload:
- A curriculum vitae including a list of publications.
- A presentation of the research project (maximum 5 pages) followed by a selective bibliography.
- Optional: A support letter from a researcher or professor from the Aix-Marseille site and/or a letter of reference from someone who has played a decisive role in the scientific career of the candidate.
The Institute for Research for Development (IRD) is a French research organization, unique in the landscape of development research. Favoring interdisciplinarity, the IRD organizes its research around equitable scientific partnerships with developing countries through its international network, aiming to co-produce solutions to global development challenges with partner scientific communities. The IRD positions its development research as key tools in the new international development agenda.
