Extractivisms and transformations of socio-ecosystems in a postcolonial context (Asia-Pacific) M/F

Organisation/Company CNRS Department Direction des ressources humaines Research Field History History » Archaeology History » Medieval history Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 2 Sep 2026 - 17:00 (UTC) Country France Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 4 Aug 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This CPJ lies at the intersection of three priorities identified by CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences in its strategic prospective plan: (1) addressing ecological challenges through questions of habitability; (2) analysing the dynamics of capitalism in postcolonial contexts; and (3) documenting transformations of local socio-ecosystems under the influence of global economic, social, political, and environmental changes.The concept of extractivism, and the situations it refers to, sits at the crossroads of these issues. CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences aims to examine this notion – originally developed in the Latin American context – across other regions in order to assess its broader heuristic potential and to bring into dialogue asymmetrical situations that intertwine political, social, economic, and environmental dimensions.Research on Asia, long shaped by Orientalism and area studies, has sometimes been confined to academic niches, often perceived as marginal or overly culturalist. This has at times hindered its epistemological renewal and its integration into broader debates, such as those on decolonisation, postcolonialism, and climate transition. This CPJ seeks to overcome this limitation.Research on the Pacific region has historically focused on the study of social, cultural, and linguistic legacies predating European contact, before connecting contemporary geostrategic issues with local, national, and regional dynamics.The objective of this CPJ is to address the priorities identified in CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences' strategic prospective plan by bringing together perspectives from anthropology, history, archaeology, sociology, economics, literature and the arts, as well as political science.

The selected units are distinguished by their strong interdisciplinary dynamics and recognized expertise in Asian and Pacific studies. In light of the CPJ's thematic focus, they also offer sig-nificant strengths. The Centre for Research and Documentation on Oceania (CREDO, UMR 7308) has developed substantial work on issues of sovereignty in postcolonial contexts, as well as on human-environment relations. The Asian Research Institute (IrAsia, UMR 7306) hosts a large body of research on both material and immaterial cultures, as well as on pro-cesses of social change linked to political and economic transformations. The Research Cen-tre for the Organisation and Dissemination of Geographic Information (PRODIG, UMR 8586) examines, among other topics, social inequalities through the lens of global change.

The EXTRAS-AP CPJ aims to analyse extractivist contexts and situations in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a range of case studies, the analysis of these configurations may be structured around several dimensions: human–environment relations; transformations of social relations; and the evolution of interactions between environments and techniques, including over the (very) long term.EXTRAS-AP may also examine how extractivist activities reshape power relations, collec-tive mobilisations, and conflicts surrounding their environmental, economic, social, and polit-ical consequences. The scientific project must be articulated with CNRS Humanities & So-cial Sciences research infrastructures in the Pacific and/or Asia, and include extended mo-bility periods within one or more of these institutions.

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.

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.

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.

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.

holders of a doctorate or a PhD or equivalent degree or applicants who have gained scientific. 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.