CNRS is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD in Migration, Urban Studies, and Anthropology within the Migration and Society Research Unit (URMIS) and Doctoral School 624 “Social Sciences” at Université Paris Cité. Beginning in October 2026, the project focuses on migration, refugee settlement, urban change, and spatial practices in cities across the Arab world.
The successful candidate will study how displaced populations shape urban environments through everyday housing arrangements and settlement practices. Particular attention will focus on residential spaces, where changes within domestic settings reveal social relations, informal forms of urban development, and shifting power structures in cities experiencing migration.
The project brings together anthropology, ethnology, geography, and architecture to explore relationships between migrant communities and the spaces they occupy. The research will involve architectural surveys, field observation, mapping, and ethnographic methods to document spatial transformation and everyday experiences within urban environments.
Fieldwork will take place primarily in Beirut and will include comparative research in Cairo among Syrian and Sudanese refugee communities. The study explores relationships between homes, neighbourhoods, and wider urban settings while examining how migrant populations shape the development of urban spaces.
Programme Overview
- Position: PhD / Doctoral Researcher
- Institution: CNRS – National Centre for Scientific Research, France
- Department: Unité de Recherche Migrations et Société (URMIS)
- Research Group: URMIS and French Institute for the Near East (IFPO)
- Supervisors: Nicolas Puig (Research Director, IRD, URMIS) and Kamel Doraï (Research Director, CNRS; Director, IFPO)
- Location: Paris, France
- Duration: Not specified
- Start Date: October 2026
- Funding: Fully funded doctoral contract
- Required Degree / Diploma: Qualification meeting doctoral admission requirements
Research Focus
- Migration studies
- Urban studies
- Anthropology
- Ethnology
- Refugee settlement
- Spatial transformation
- Informal urban development
- Housing practices
- Interethnic relations
- Urban environments
Eligibility / Qualifications
Minimum Requirements
- Eligibility for doctoral enrolment
- Academic preparation relevant to the research topic
- Interest in interdisciplinary research
- Basic French language skills
- Capacity to undertake field-based research
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in anthropology or ethnology
- Interest in migration-related research
- Knowledge of urban studies
- Familiarity with qualitative research methods
- Experience with mapping or visual research approaches
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct doctoral research within the approved project framework
- Undertake fieldwork in Beirut and Cairo
- Collect and analyse research materials
- Prepare architectural surveys and spatial documentation
- Apply ethnographic and mapping methods
- Contribute to project findings and scholarly publications
Application Process
Applications should be submitted through the official CNRS recruitment portal before the closing deadline. Applicants should review the project description and eligibility requirements carefully before preparing their application materials.
Required Documents
- Completed online application
- Academic transcripts and qualifications
- Curriculum Vitae
- Supporting documents requested by CNRS
- Additional materials specified in the application portal
Why This Opportunity Matters
The project draws on knowledge from:
- Migration Studies
- Urban Anthropology
- Human Geography
- Architecture and Spatial Research
The project combines fieldwork, spatial analysis, and ethnographic research in Beirut and Cairo, allowing the candidate to examine migration and urban change across different local contexts.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: Currently open
- Application Deadline: 1 July 2026, 23:59 (UTC)
- Expected Start Date: October 2026
Apply early to join this interdisciplinary doctoral project at CNRS and begin your research journey in October 2026.
Related Academic Opportunities
- Anthropology Research Positions
- Social Sciences Research Fellowships
- Academic Jobs in France
- European Research Opportunities
- Fully Funded PhD Positions
Institutional Overview
The CNRS is France’s national research organisation and conducts research across scientific, social science, and humanities disciplines through a network of specialised research units. This doctoral position is based within the Migration and Society Research Unit (URMIS), a multidisciplinary centre specialising in migration, interethnic relations, discrimination, racism, and social inequalities. The project is also affiliated with the French Institute for the Near East (IFPO), which supports research on Near Eastern societies through its research centres in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Palestine, and Syria.
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