Postdoctoral researcher in demography/quantitative social

sciences and spatial analysis

Post Identification
Statut (titulaires / ANT) : CDD Catégorie : Postdoc researcher
Composante, Direction, Service : SAGE Lab (UMR7363)

Contact(s) for information : Sylvie Dubuc, Professor of Population Studies, sdubuc@unistra.fr

Purpose
The University of Strasbourg offers a post-doc position for 22 to 24 months as part of the project
COMTER (funded by the French National Research Agency, ANR). The project analyses social
inequalities and their spatial variations across India. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced
and highly motivated researcher to join an international and interdisciplinary working environment
and research team dedicated to advance knowledge on the complex socio-spatial inequalities at play
in India. Research focusing on fertility, family dynamics and/or health linked to inequalities would
be particularly welcome, although expertise in other domains will also be considered.
The role will work closely with Prof Sylvie Dubuc, Chair of Excellence in Population Sciences, to
conduct new research taking an intersectional approach to investigating complex intersectional social
inequalities. The post will also benefit from some collaborative work with the broader research team
and coordinator (C. Guilmoto). A strong background in quantitative/statistical and demographic
methods is required. Some experience of spatial analysis and a very good level of English are
expected. Some basic level of French is desirable but not a pre-requisite.

Main duties and responsibilities

The post holder will conduct the quantitative analyses for the project. She/he/they will contribute to
the publication and communication of the research, and will assist in the preparation of future grant
proposals.

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Responsibilities of the post include:
 Initiate and conduct research; Pro-actively contribute to the development of the research
project
 Assist in the design as well as the execution of the research quantitative work, conducting
data management, method development, spatial analyses, demographic and broader
quantitative analyses
 Produce analytical literature reviews as needed for the research.
 Participate regularly in groups meetings; preparing and delivering presentations to the
projects’ team and stakeholders.
 Contribute to the dissemination of research findings and the writing of project outputs
including joint papers for high quality peer-reviewed international journals, projects’ reports
and conference presentations.
 Assist in the organisation of meetings and conferences as required.
 Contribute to the preparation of bids for funding bodies.
 Other appropriate duties related to the activity of the project (as directed by the line
manager).

Person spécifications
 Attainment
Essential:
A completed PhD in demography, statistics, or other relevant quantitative social science
A very good honors degree in a relevant subject
Postgraduate level in population studies and advanced quantitative/demographic methods and
spatial analysis
Desirable:
Some training in advanced spatial analysis

 Skills required
Essential:
Ability to apply advanced quantitative methods in social sciences
Experience using demographic methods; ability to apply appropriate quantitative methods to
analyzing population dynamics, family changes, fertility and/or health or other relevant
demographic topics linked to social inequalities.
Experience of data management and working with (individual and household) survey data
Working knowledge of statistical software such as R, SAS, STATA
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to work on your own initiative; strong organizational skills and attention to details
Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight deadlines
Good team player and excellent interpersonal communication skills
Very good writing skills and ability to clearly present research results to an academic audience
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Experience using spatial analysis methods, geographical information management and GIS
Desirable:
Experience of advanced spatial modelling and/or multi-level modelling
Experience working with complex surveys and datasets
Experience analyzing birth data, fertility, household datasets
Experience in applying a range of advanced quantitative methods to research questions
A publication records relative to career stage

 Knowledge
Essential:
Excellent knowledge of quantitative methods applied in social sciences (incl. econometrics, spatial
analyses)
A good knowledge in demographic methods
A good knowledge and research interest in the field of population studies and demographic topics
linked to gender and social inequalities
An understanding of social identities and inequalities in India
Desirable:
Knowledge of advanced spatial analysis methods, spatial diffusion and multi-level analyses.
Some knowledge of longitudinal and life course analyses.
A very good knowledge of the Indian context and complex social identities (castes, religion ….)
relevant to analysing social and territorial inequalities in an intersectional perspective in India.

Working environment and supervision

 Working environment :
The post holder will be attached to SAGE laboratory (University of Strasbourg - CNRS -
https://sage.unistra.fr), and integrated in the axis of research 3 of the lab (co-led by Sylvie Dubuc).
The University of Strasbourg is one of the largest multidisciplinary French universities. It covers
eight sites with nearly 60,000 students, 6,000 permanent staff, 35 training components, 78 research
and service units, and 15 interdisciplinary thematic institutes bringing together research and training
activities on major scientific and societal issues. The high-level research conducted at the
University of Strasbourg contributes to its strong international reputation.
The UMR Sage is a research unit bringing together more than 80 researchers and academics from
different disciplines: notably demography, sociology, political science, geography, history and law.
The post will also be integrated into the activities of the Chair of excellence iPOPs hold by Sylvie
Dubuc and supported by the labex iPOPs. Labex iPOPs is one of the hundred winners of the
"Laboratory of Excellence" call for tenders launched in 2010 by the Ministry of Higher Education
and Research as part of the Investments for the Future (financed by the Grand Emprunt). Supported
by INED, in partnership with several universities, iPOPs is at the heart of research and training in
population sciences, at the interface with economic, social and political sciences. The post-doctorate
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 will benefit from a stimulating environment and the support of the services of the Interuniversity
House of Human Sciences (MISHA, Strasbourg), and especially its University Data Platform
(PUD-S).
 Supervision received:
The post will contribute to the research led by Prof Sylvie Dubuc, and in collaboration with other
team members, in the context of the ANR COMTER project, coordinated by Christophe Guilmoto
(IRD) The post holder will report to and be supported by Prof Sylvie Dubuc; the appointee will
further receive guidance and support from the ANR project coordinator and research team
members.

 Terms and conditions

This is a fixed-term post, full time for 22 to 24 months (24 months upon early start). The post is
available, from 1st September 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Remuneration according to the candidate's experience, with net monthly salary ranging from 2000
to 2900 euros

Application and contact details

For application please send a full CV, a motivation letter, an example of individual written
academic production (paper, PhD thesis, report), postgraduate educational records (courses
and marks) and PhD diploma, contact details of two referees, to be sent to Sylvie Dubuc,
sdubuc@unistra.fr
Application deadline: 7 July 2025
Interview expected last week of July 2025
Informal contact : Prof Sylvie Dubuc, SAGE, sdubuc@unistra.fr

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