Postdoctoral Fellowship in Linguistics at CNRS, France

About the Position

The National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France is inviting applications for a postdoctoral researcher specialising in the ethno- and ecolinguistic dimensions of African beekeeping. This position is part of the ANR-funded AFROBEE Project – The Language of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting in Africa. The project investigates the linguistic, cultural, and ecological aspects of apicultural traditions across Africa, focusing on documenting and analysing the apicultural lexicon and discourse practices. Based at LLACAN (Langage, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique) near Paris, the researcher will contribute to an international team studying how language, ecology, and culture intersect in traditional African apiculture. This three-year position offers an excellent opportunity for field-based linguistic research with significant cross-disciplinary and comparative potential

Position Details

Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution: National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)
Department: Langage, Langues et Cultures d’Afrique (LLACAN)
Research Field: Linguistics, Ethnolinguistics, Ecolinguistics
Location: Villejuif, France (Greater Paris area)
Number of Posts: 1
Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term (ANR-funded)
Start Date (Anticipated): 1 January 2026
Working Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary Range: As per CNRS regulations
Required Degree: PhD

Research Area

Ethnolinguistics and ecolinguistics of African beekeeping
Historical and comparative linguistics
Lexical documentation and language ecology
Discourse and ethnographic analysis of traditional apiculture

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in African Linguistics, Documentary Linguistics, Ethnolinguistics, or Ecolinguistics
Proven research experience in ethnolinguistics or historical linguistics
Fieldwork experience, particularly in Africa
Interest in traditional apiculture and knowledge of local ecological systems
Competence in documentary linguistic methods and ethical research practices

Preferred Qualifications:

Expertise in northern African languages (e.g. Berber, Arabic varieties) or other African languages with apicultural traditions
Publication record in peer-reviewed journals
Strong presentation skills for international conferences
Basic proficiency in French

Key Responsibilities

Document and analyse the apicultural lexicon and related discourse in a selected African language
Develop a detailed linguistic corpus through recordings and questionnaires with traditional beekeepers
Conduct comparative and diachronic studies of apicultural terminology across regions
Collaborate on cross-African analysis of colexifications and semantic networks
Publish research findings and present at international conferences
Participate in interdisciplinary collaboration within the AFROBEE project