Category/Body : Researcher

MAIN MISSION

Holders of a Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Sciences (law, philosophy, political science, strategic studies, contemporary history, geography, economics, science, technology, and society, international relations, sociology) or in Computer Science and Digital Science (with a focus on digital public policy), whose research topic relates to issues concerning information manipulation and information war, the researcher will be hired by the École normale supérieure / Paris Sciences et Lettres (www.ens.fr), and affiliated with the Interdisciplinary Center on Strategic Issues (CIENS, https://ciens.ens.psl.eu/).

It is expected that during their postdoctoral fellowship, the researcher will conduct research on the following topics of interest (the list is not exhaustive):

• the issue of digital sovereignty and the effects of the hegemony of American, Chinese, or Russian platforms;
• strategies for responding to information manipulation—whether by states, European entities, or private actors—and in particular the legal issues they raise;
• measuring and characterizing the impact of information manipulation;
• the effects of the humanization of language models (LLMs) in the context of information warfare operations;
• the evolution of information threats and the study of the most active actors in the field of information warfare;

This research should align with the research themes developed by CIENS (“Europe and Nuclear Deterrence”; “Strategic Knowledge: Between Academia and Expertise”; “New Areas of Conflict”), particularly Research Area III, with the specific aim of conducting a cross-cutting analysis of the role of “information warfare” within the various domains of contemporary conflict (cyber warfare, various forms of “hybrid warfare,” conventional warfare, nuclear deterrence, etc.).c).

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND CONTEXT (structure hosting the post)

CIENS is a teaching and research platform devoted to nuclear defence and strategic issues in the broadest sense, with an interdisciplinary approach. It is run by a strengthened team of teacher-researchers and 1 project manager, and works in cooperation with associate researchers and experts, as well as external practitioners specialising in strategic issues.

The ambition of CIENS is to study inter-state power relations and the various forms of conflict between powers, always with a view to the possibility of a rise to extremes, in other words the nuclear confrontation that deterrence is designed to avoid. CIENS research has three main strands (available in PDF format at this link):

1. a reflection on the relationship between Europe and nuclear deterrence, against the backdrop of the question of European strategic autonomy;

2. an analysis of the status of strategic knowledge, between academia and expertise, involving a reflexive approach to what the CIENS is trying to do at the junction of these two worlds;

3. finally, work on the emergence of new areas of conflict, with a particular focus on the cyber dimension. 

CIENS’ research activities are carried out in cooperation with renowned international partners.

The CIENS courses are taught as part of the ENS diploma and are structured into an International Relations and Contemporary Strategic Issues minor, which aims to offer a multidisciplinary approach to the political and strategic dimension of international relations, including both introductory and more in-depth courses, enabling students to familiarise themselves with strategic issues in the broadest sense – nuclear deterrence, cyber defence, arms control and disarmament, strategic thinking, outer space, information warfare and AI, etc. – while benefiting from the dual expertise of the ENS and CIENS. -The work of CIENS is part of a broader approach to strategic issues, which includes nuclear deterrence, cyber defence, arms control and disarmament, strategic thinking, outer space, information warfare and AI.

The work of the CIENS is part of an original partnership between the ENS and three institutional players, the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), the Ministère des Armées (DGRIS), and the Agence nationale de la sécurité des systèmes d’information (ANSSI), which contribute to the funding of the CIENS’ activities, in order to contribute to the development of excellent, independent and internationally recognised scientific research in the fields of defence and security issues.

The post-doc will be housed in the CIENS offices on the 45 rue d’Ulm campus of ENS-PSL.

For a more complete presentation of the CIENS : https://ciens.ens.psl.eu/en/home/en/home/en/home/en/home/

RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct a research project on issues related to information manipulation and information warfare, linking this area of strategic confrontation to the more traditional fields of power dynamics among nations and aligning with the research themes developed by CIENS;
• Organize events and seminars to enable the various communities interested in information warfare to engage in collective reflection and create a point of convergence between different fields of analysis (conflict studies, strategic studies, international relations, law, AI, etc.);
• Write articles and contribute to either academic journals or edited volumes;
• Lead collaborative research projects within CIENS and the ENS;
• Regularly present research findings at CIENS seminars and study days, or at international conferences and symposia;
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals to secure funding for the CIENS team’s research activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT

• Contribute to teaching on information manipulation and information warfare, drawing on the latest research findings in this field, as well as to the organization of a PSL-Week dedicated to new forms of conflict, including information warfare;
• Participate in the organization and design of CIENS teaching activities (courses, seminars, PSL-Weeks);
• Help coordinate with CIENS partners for joint courses (INALCO, Paris 1 Sorbonne, Paris 2 Assas, Dauphine, etc.).

RESPONSIBILITIES ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF the CENTRE

Certain administrative and logistical tasks may be requested on an ad hoc basis, depending on the needs of the CIENS:

– Promoting CIENS within ENS (presentation during the Department’s back-to-school meetings, making contact with the other Departments, regular communication on the School’s media, participation in the School’s events, etc.);

– Liaise with ENS departments;

– Participate in the administrative and logistical management of the Centre and its activities in conjunction with ENS central services.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON the PROFILE OF THE CANDIDATE OR OF THE CANDIDATE :

– proficiency in English (enabling you to teach in this language), and/or other languages, will be valued;

– experience in data analysis using statistical software (e.g. SPSS, R, Stata, etc.) or in the use of computational social science methods will also be an advantage.

Position to be filled on : 1st Nov 2026   Place of work: 45 rue d’Ulm / ENS   Working time (50% or more) : – Type: 12-month fixed-term contract, renewable – Quota : 100% – Start date: 1st Nov 2026            Salary (depending on experience): INM 594 minimum = €3012 gross per month       ENS-PSL is a disabled-friendly establishment and is committed to diversity.   HOW TO APPLY   Applications must be submitted by 15 Sept 2026 at the latest.   Documents to be provided:   – Research project (4 pages maximum) – Letter of motivation – Curriculum vitae (including a list of publications) – Thesis defence report   Applications should be sent as a single PDF file by email to frederic.gloriant@ens.psl.eu (CIENS director) and stephanie.braquehais@ens.psl.eu (project manager).   Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview.