Postdoctoral Project – Socio-Technical Imaginaries and Engineering Practices for a Just Energy Transition in Brittany
17 Nov 2025
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
INSA Rennes- Research Field
Sociology- Researcher Profile
Recognised Researcher (R2)- Positions
Postdoc Positions- Country
France- Application Deadline
16 Dec 2025 - 23:23 (Europe/Paris)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
35- Offer Starting Date
5 Jan 2026- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by a EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Context and Project
The energy transition in Brittany is increasingly conflictual, with many controversies over offshore and onshore wind power, methanation, and the potential (re)opening of rare and/or critical metal mines. While these issues have often been studied through the lens of “social acceptance,” the ERVAT e Breizh project (Study of Representations, Values and Attachments for a Just Transition in Brittany) approaches them through the lens of environmental injustices arising from transition policies—phenomena already highlighted by literature, especially in the Global South (Blanc, 2020; Kumar et al., 2021). The project hypothesizes that environmental injustices observed in energy transition technologies partly stem from socio-technical practices and imaginaries within engineering communities (continuities of past practices, growth- and extraction-oriented logics, routines, regulatory lock-ins, etc.). It draws on Sheila Jasanoff’s work on socio-technical imaginaries (Jasanoff, 2004; Jasanoff & Kim, 2009), the social construction of technology (Winner, 1980), and techno-scientific promises (Joly, 2015; Le Renard, 2015) to understand how technologies, their values, and their social and political implications are shaped.
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct case studies in Brittany (including all five departments) documenting how technological practices contribute to the production of environmental injustices within the energy transition. The research combines theoretical development—linked with other ERVAT projects such as “Rethinking Concrete in the Sustainable City” and “Justice and Injustice in the Reindustrialization of Port Areas”—and applied collaboration with institutional and industrial stakeholders to propose more democratic and equitable approaches to infrastructure design.
This project also aims to secure follow-up funding for participatory or action-oriented research.
General Objectives
• Conduct two case studies on contested energy transition projects in Brittany, focusing on engineering practices, values, representations, and imaginaries.
• Contribute to critical reflection on how to establish a just transition from territorial perspectives, particularly within industrial contexts.
• Contribute to the submission of regional and/or national research projects (ANR, ADEME, etc.) and seek partnerships to strengthen the ERVAT exploration.
Detailed Tasks
3.1. Ethnography of Engineering Worlds in the Breton Energy Transition
Identify two case studies of particular interest due to their high conflict levels or significant environmental injustices or ethical dilemmas. Investigate engineering communities to identify how technical artifacts participate in producing justice or injustice. Connect these dynamics to specific engineering decisions, emphasizing how materiality, socio-technical imaginaries, and technological choices and constraints shape these outcomes.
3.2. Participation in Research Coordination and Theoretical Development on “Just Transition” from the Territories
Contribute to the state of the art on “just transition” and further develop the lab’s literature review on environmental justice. Participate in ERVAT research coordination with the exploration lead. Present and discuss findings with stakeholders and communities. Supervise an intern focusing on a case study.
3.3. Scientific Production and Dissemination
Produce academic content based on postdoctoral research findings.
Hosting Conditions and Supervision
The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted at INSA Rennes (LFPC – Critical Thinking Factory Laboratory) and integrated into the ERVAT team. They will collaborate with public institutions and industrial partners within shared research projects or commissioned studies.
Where to apply
- Website
- https://insa-rennes.nous-recrutons.fr/poste/v5cdt0quqd-post-doc-justice-environ…
Requirements
- Research Field
- Sociology
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Candidates must hold a PhD in the social sciences (sociology, STS, political science, philosophy, geography, etc.) and demonstrate interest in technical and engineering worlds. They must be capable of engaging with Science and Technology Studies frameworks and handling technical engineering content. Fieldwork experience, innovative and/or participatory research methods, and familiarity with engineering environments are assets. Adaptability, teamwork, and mentoring skills are valued. Proficiency in French and English is required.
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Good
- Languages
- FRENCH
- Level
- Good
Additional Information
Selection process
Application file
Applications (cover letter, CV, diploma) will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be submitted no later than December 16, 2025.
Additional information:
Start date: as soon as possible from January 5, 2026
Postdoctoral contract, fixed-term contract (12 months)
Full-time position
Fixed remuneration
Our recruitment is based on skills, without distinction of origin, age, or gender, and all our positions are open to people with disabilities.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- INSA Rennes
- Country
- France
- State/Province
- Bretagne
- City
- Rennes
- Postal Code
- 35700
- Street
- 20 avenue des buttes de Coësmes
- Geofield
Contact
- State/Province
France- City
Rennes- Website
https://www.insa-rennes.fr/- Street
20 avenue des buttes de coesmes- Postal Code
35708
elise.margat@insa-rennes.fr
STATUS: EXPIRED
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