Mise à jour le 21 juil. 2026
The contract is part of the ERC Starting Grant ENVIROSHIFT – Shifting Perspectives on Environmental Change: A History of the Earth Sciences in Central Asia and the Caucasus, 1880–2000, funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon Europe programme. The project is hosted by Université Lumière Lyon 2 and the Laboratoire de Recherche Historique Rhône-Alpes (LARHRA, UMR 5190). ENVIROSHIFT investigates how Earth scientists contributed to the production of environmental knowledge and the transformation of mountain environments in Central Asia and the Caucasus from the late Russian Empire to the end of the Soviet Union. The research team consists of the Principal Investigator and three postdoctoral fellows. Application deadline: September 21, 2026
Work location: Université Lumière Lyon 2 - Campus des Berges du Rhône / MSH Lyon St-Etienne, 14 Avenue Berthelot, 69363 Lyon
Posting date: July 21, 2026
Contract type: Postdoctoral position (in History)
Contract duration: 34 months (fixed-term contract)
Posting date: July 21, 2026
Contract type: Postdoctoral position (in History)
Contract duration: 34 months (fixed-term contract)
Expected start date: February 1, 2027
Employment status: Full-time
Salary: Between €28,579 and €48,208 gross annually, depending on experience
Required education: Must hold a Ph.D. in history, to be obtained before the start of employment (between February and June 2027)
Employment status: Full-time
Salary: Between €28,579 and €48,208 gross annually, depending on experience
Required education: Must hold a Ph.D. in history, to be obtained before the start of employment (between February and June 2027)
Description of missions
As part of this project, you will develop an original research project within the ERC Starting Grant ENVIROSHIFT, contributing to our understanding of how Earth sciences shaped environmental knowledge, resource extraction and state-building in Central Asia and the Caucasus from the late Russian Empire to the end of the Soviet Union.
Applicants should propose a research project within one of the project's three case studies:
• Soviet Kyrgyzstan: uranium mining, geological expertise and environmental transformation;
• The Tajik Pamirs: scientific expeditions, geology and resource exploration;
• The Caucasus (Georgia and Armenia): seismology, environmental risk and state planning.
Working within one of these case studies, you will collaborate with an international research team while pursuing an independent programme of historical research.
Assigned activities
• Develop and conduct an independent research project within one of the ENVIROSHIFT case studies.
• Carry out archival research in European and, where relevant, Central Asian or Caucasian archives.
• Undertake fieldwork where appropriate.
• Analyse historical sources and prepare research publications.
• Present research findings at seminars and international conferences.
• Contribute to the organisation of workshops and other project activities.
• Participate in regular team meetings and collaborate with the Principal Investigator and the other postdoctoral fellows.
• Contribute to the dissemination of research results.
Candidate profile
Applicants should have:
- a PhD in History completed before the starting date (between February and June 2027);
- research experience on the nineteenth- and/or twentieth-century history of the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union or their successor states;
- excellent command of English;
- ability to conduct independent archival research using Russian-language sources;
- experience conducting archival research;
- the ability to develop an independent research project and work collaboratively within an international research team.
How to apply
Please note that applications consisting only of a CV will not be considered.
Applications must be submitted as one single PDF file and include:
• cover letter indicating the fellowship for which you are applying;
• curriculum vitae;
• list of publications;
• PhD diploma (or proof that the PhD will be completed before the starting date);
• contact details of two academic referees;
• a 250–300-word project abstract;
• a statement (maximum 200 words) explaining how the proposed project contributes to ENVIROSHIFT;
• a statement (maximum 200 words) outlining the principal archival sources, languages and research methods.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a 1,500-word research proposal before the interview and to present their proposed project during the interview.
Applications should be sent by email as a single PDF to: katja.doose@univ-lyon2.fr
Application deadline: 21 September 2026, 23:59 CET
Dates
Créé le 2 juillet 2026