The Collège de France, an internationally renowned center for fundamental research and a key member of PSL University, is recruiting a Research Assistant to support an ongoing interdisciplinary project within the Chair of Sociology of Creative Work. Led by Professor Pierre-Michel Menger, the chair studies the processes of artistic and scientific creation, with a recent focus on the sociology of mathematics, academic training, and the dynamics shaping STEM fields.

Since 2021, the research group has expanded its focus toward understanding gender disparities in mathematics achievement, the professional trajectories of mathematicians, and the broader question of feminization in STEM education. As part of this effort, the team will conduct a field-based survey exploring the experiences, academic pathways, and professional development of current and former students of the École Polytechnique — one of France’s leading institutions in engineering education.

The Research Assistant will contribute directly to the design, preparation, and implementation of qualitative and quantitative data collection. This role offers meaningful participation in every stage of the research process, extending beyond execution to active involvement in survey planning and methodological refinement.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct semi-structured interviews with current and former École Polytechnique students, in collaboration with the research team
• Participate in field observations and qualitative data gathering in educational or extracurricular settings
• Develop and distribute an online questionnaire to multiple cohorts of Polytechnique students
• Support data organization, documentation, and preparation for analysis
• Engage in regular research discussions with team members and contribute to methodological decisions

Required qualifications:

• Master’s-level student or graduate in sociology or social sciences (Bac+5)
• Knowledge of gender studies and sociology of education
• Experience conducting qualitative interviews
• Excellent interpersonal skills, autonomy, curiosity, and initiative
• Strong interest in gender, STEM, and education research

This 6-month full-time contract is based in Paris. The application must be submitted within one month of publication.