Doctoral position M/W in the history of science and the history of science museums


Intitulé de l'offre : Doctoral position M/W in the history of science and the history of science museums (H/F)
Référence : UMR8560-CHABIG-008
Nombre de Postes : 1
Lieu de travail : AUBERVILLIERS
Date de publication : lundi 24 juillet 2023
Type de contrat : CDD Doctorant/Contrat doctoral
Durée du contrat : 36 mois
Date de début de la thèse : 1 octobre 2023
Quotité de travail : Temps complet
Rémunération : 2 135,00 € gross monthly
Section(s) CN : Modern and contemporary worlds

Description du sujet de thèse

This dissertation will partake in the historiographic renewal in the study of popular science and science museums, characterized by an increased attention to materiality, the international dimension and to the way in which they relate to broader political and cultural issues.

Created in 1937 within the international exhibition Arts et techniques dans la vie moderne by a team of renowned scientists led by the physicist Jean Perrin, the Palais de la découverte played a key role in the French landscape of science popularization throughout the twentieth century. With the exception of its early years, however, its history has been hardly studied from a reflexive sociological or historical perspective and remains largely unknown.

The dissertation will contribute to reconstruct the institutional history of the Palais during the period ranging from 1945 to 1980, from the point of view of its internal organization, the evolution of its missions and its place in the landscape of science popularization and higher education and research, in particular French public policy on these matters. The development of the Palais' exhibitions will also be studied and placed in its museological, scientific and political contexts. The dissertation will examine the place of the Palais' exhibition innovations and their integration in the Science Centres movement on an international scale, and will explore the issues at stake during this period. The doctoral candidate's research will shed light on the networks and activities in which the Palais de la découverte was involved, nationally and internationally. Since its creation, the Palais has indeed operated in an environment of international cooperation and competition between science museums.

Methodology
The dissertation will rely on the analysis of abundant archival sources. The usual methods of historical research will be used: qualitative and, where appropriate, quantitative analysis, analysis and interpretation of archival and published documents, put into perspective with the help of the relevant secondary literature. Material and visual sources should also be taken into account.


Qualifications
The candidate should have a Master's degree in the history of science, museum studies, cultural history or another relevant field, a proven ability to carry out research in the humanities and social sciences, and experience of or at least interest in working with archival materials. The person recruited will need to be able to work autonomously, to be meticulous and able to synthesize important amounts of information. Good oral and written communication skills are essential as is the ability to read and write in French. An active participation in the events organised in connection with the reopening of the Palais de la découverte in late 2025 is expected. The doctoral candidate might be asked to publish short press articles as well as a book aimed at a wider public on the basis of their research.
Contexte de travail

This doctoral contract is part of a contract between Universcience and the Centre Alexandre-Koyré.
The work will be carried out within the Ecole Doctorale 286 of the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, where the doctoral student will subscribe to the rights and duties defined by the EHESS Doctoral Charter.

Together with the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie, the Palais de la découverte is one of the two entities that make up Universcience, a major institution for scientific and technical popularization in France. It is currently undergoing a major renovation as part of the general refurbishment of the Grand Palais. As part of the activities leading up to its reopening, Universcience seeks to learn more about the history of the Palais. To this end, it has called on the Centre Alexandre-Koyré (UMR 8560 CNRS-EHESS-MNHN), an unit with recognised expertise in the history of science and the history of scientific popularization.

The Centre Alexandre-Koyré will host the successful candidate, who will join a dynamic community of around one hundred researchers and senior lecturers, young researchers and doctoral students working in these fields of expertise.
The person recruited will be supervised and guided in their research by Anne Rasmussen (EHESS), Andrée Bergeron (MNHN) and Charlotte Bigg (CNRS).
A budget has been set aside for visits to distant archives, as well as for the presentation of research at scientific conferences outside Paris or abroad.