Interested in pursuing research in France? France is home to some of the best organisations dedicated to scientific and technological research in France as well as in the world.
From medical research to biotechnology or climate change, French researchers are undertaking cutting edge work in science and technology. This section will help you identify the main research institutes in France according to their domain of expertise.
France has an extensive network of universities that teach and conduct research in a wide range of subjects as well. For more information on studying at a university in France, please go to the CampusFrance website at www.india-campusfrance.org.
France offers a number of doctoral and postdoctoral opportunities in research with and without funding.
Fundamental and applied scientific research at the CNRS
The CNRS offers some postdoctoral research positions. Applicants can either apply for open positions at CNRS or identify potential labs where they would like to work and contact them directly for more information on positions.
To see a list of current open positions at CNRS, click here.
To see a list of other postdoctoral positions and scholarships offered, click here. Please note that some positions are advertised only in French. Please check the individual requirements of each program before applying.
The CNRS, through its international relations wing, finances international researcher exchanges that help in setting up collaborations. Calls for exchanges from countries are made at different times of the year and interested researchers should check the website regularly for more information. To view a list of current proposals for international exchanges, click here.
To search for a particular lab or research team within the CNRS, please search the directory by clicking here.
Health and medical research
Inserm also offers a number of hosting programs for international researchers to undertake research in France.
The ATIP Avenir program jointly run by the CNRS and Inserm helps young experienced scientists to lead research teams with a French research setting. The grant is awarded for three years, with a possibility of a two year extension and is open to tenured and non tenured scientists under the age of forty. For more information, please click here.
Every year, Inserm announces a series of proposals for French and international researchers. Some proposals have specific international partners. To see a list of current open proposals, click here.
Young researchers can avail of the three year temporary contracts awarded annually to scientists wishing to pursue postdoctoral research with the Inserm in France. For more information including eligibility and other requirements, please click here.
Looking for a particular research lab at Inserm? Trying to find a scientist working on your field of research? Click here to search through the Inserm directory.
In addition, doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships are also available from the French Embassy. For more information click here.
Agricultural Research
INRA offers a number of openings for young Indian scientists interested in a career in agronomic research:
Under the Young Scientist Contract program, INRA offers three year contracts to deserving scientists wishing to complete a PhD at INRA. After finishing his/her thesis, the student may be eligible for a further two year extension which will be spent abroad. For more information, click here.
INRA also annually recruits for postdoctoral positions. Posts vary according to requirement and theme. To see a list of current offers, click here.
A limited number of junior scientist’s positions are also offered by INRA. These positions are subject to an open competition. For more information regarding the current call for positions, please click here.
Experienced researchers are invited to apply for a limited number of contracts with INRA. The deadline for applying for the 2009 cycle is 31 October 2009. Click here for more information.
In addition, doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships are also available from the French Embassy. For more information click here (lien vers les bourses/ambassade).
Looking for a particular research unit at the INRA? Trying to find a scientist working on your field of research? To access the INRA’s directory in English, click here.
Computer science, information
INRIA offers attractive PhD and positions to young researchers looking for exciting careers in information technology and computer science. INRIA actively seeks to recruit international students to their Phd program. For more information on INRIA’s Phd program, sources of funding and application procedures, please click here.
Postdoctoral positions (to a maximum of two years) are awarded to young scientists. INRIA has a number of priority themes, and priority is given to students who have completed their doctorate abroad. INRIA post doctoral researchers are awarded a salary.
For more information on the application procedure, click here.
For a list of frequently asked questions relating to post doctoral study at INRIA, click here.
To search for open post doctoral positions at INRIA, click here.
? Looking for a particular research lab at INRIA? Trying to find a scientist working on your field of research? Click here to search through the INRIA directory.
In addition, doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships are also available from the French Embassy. For more information click here (link to bourses/ambassade).
Agricultural research for developing countries
CIRAD offers financial support for PhD and postdoctoral students and researchers. Grants are not given directly to the applicant; they are given instead to the CIRAD research unit that hosts the applicant. For more information see here.
Grants from the French government are also available for research or scientific exchange purposes. For more information regarding these scholarships, please contact your nearest CampusFrance desk.
Looking for a particular research unit at Cirad? Trying to find a scientist working on your field of research? For more information click here.
More information on CIRAD can be found here : http://www.cirad.fr/en/index.php
Development
Looking for a particular research lab at the IRD? Trying to find a scientist working on your field of research? Click here to search through the IRD directory (in French).
Space
The Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales is France’s premier Space agency.
With India, CNES works extensively with ISRO on a number of projects. The CNES is also the French lead partner in a joint Indo-French satellite program “Megha-tropiques” (for more information click here).
Every year, CNES awards about a hundred research grants in the domain of engineering sciences (orbital and space transport systems), and those sciences which make use of space equipment (sciences of the cosmos, Earth, and microgravity) to young French and foreign scientists who have an interest in space. However, not all the topics for research proposed each year are available in English; applicants are advised to check the medium of instruction before applying.
For more information on CNES grants please click here.
For a list of 2009 CNES grant topics available in English please see here:
Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Research - CEMAGREF
Interested in research at CEMAGREF? CEMAGREF offers a number of PhD and postdoctoral positions annually to scientists.
Phd positions
3 year paid PhD positions are awarded annually. They are highly competitive and interested students are encouraged to contact the Cemagref scientist or head of department they would like to work under before applying. For more information on how to apply, eligibility and deadlines please click here.
To see a list of offered PhD thesis topics for 2009 click here.
Postdoctoral positions
Young scientists looking for postdoctoral research experience can apply for postdoctoral positions at Cemagref. Most appointments are paid positions and there is no nationality restriction. Applications are accepted all year through. For more information, click here (in French).
Please note! Not all post doc positions are available in English. Please check before applying!
Contacting scientists at Cemagref
Looking to contact a particular scientist at Cemagref? Click here to search the directory.
