Call for entries 2026-

2027 - IRD/Iméra Chair : Sustainable development and interdisciplinarity

IRD andIméra (Institut d'études avancées d'Aix-Marseille Université) are launching a call for applications applications for the " Sustainable Development and Interdisciplinarity" chair for the 2026-2027 academic year.

This Chair aims to support research programs at the highest international level, around the major issues linked to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs ). It encourages innovative interdisciplinary approaches, capable of offering new perspectives on contemporary environmental, social, health and economic challenges.

Preferred research themes

Projects may include

• Climate change and land use

• Conserving continental and marine biodiversity

• Urban dynamics and urbanization

• Agriculture, fisheries and food safety

• Pollution and environmental health

• Work, education and mobility in relation to sustainability

Profiles sought

Special attention will be paid to researchers :

• Developing interdisciplinary collaborations (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, health, etc.)

• Having contributed to a critical reflection on the concept of sustainability and its applications

• Producing original scientific results, open to interdisciplinary dialogue and with societal and political implications

Conditions of eligibility

Candidates must :

1. Have an employment contract with a foreign university or research institution during the residency period

2. Proven scientific excellence in a field related to sustainable development

3. Not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the last 3 years

4. Hold a doctorate or Ph.D.

Applicants are encouraged to build on collaborations with IRD research units in Aix-Marseille or at national level.

Terms and benefits

• Monthly allowance: €2,500

• Free hosting on the Iméra website

• Coverage of round-trip travel costs from country of origin

Selection and calendar

Applications will be evaluated according to :

• Scientific excellence of the researcher and the proposed project

• An original format for promoting research

• The relevance of the interdisciplinary dimension

• The ability to strengthen IRD-Iméra collaboration

📅 Application deadline: October 20, 2025, at 1pm (UTC+2)
📅 Results: early February 2026
📅 Duration of residency: 10 months (02/09/2026 - 30/06/2027)