Post-doctoral Fellow: Public Problems of Data Centers (18 months)

About the role

Télécom Paris, part of Institut Mines-Télécom, is looking for a post-doctoral fellow to join its Economics and Social Sciences Department and the research Chair TerrAINs. The Chair studies the regional challenges of digital infrastructure in France, especially data centers, and is led by Pauline Gourlet and funded by the Île-de-France Region (2026-2029). The fellow works on how data centers generate public issues at different territorial scales and how defining and prioritizing them can support collaborative planning.

Key responsibilities

• Carry out research projects within the Chair's streams 2 and 3 (analysis of data center discourses, and situated practices and frictions around three hyperscale data center sites in Île-de-France)
• Coordinate the Chair's activities and contribute to projects led by other team members
• Promote the work of the Chair
• Supervise interns, students and workshops

Required profile

• Ph.D. degree
• Background in social sciences and humanities (environmental humanities, STS, experimental anthropology, social geography, architecture/design, etc.)
• Interdisciplinary profile with a solid understanding of socio-environmental transformations, situated knowledge, public issues, collective inquiry and the relationship between science and society

What we offer

• Fixed-term contract of 18 months, 36,000 € gross per year
• 49 days of annual leave (CA + RTT)
• Flexible working hours and telecommuting 1 to 3 days per week
• 75% public transport pass reimbursement
• Proximity to sports facilities, concierge service, underground parking and in-house catering

To apply, send a CV, a 2-3 page letter explaining your proposed contribution and motivation, two relevant publications and a reference letter by November 22, 2026.