France Toulouse University Capitole IAST Research Fellowships 2026–2028 (Fully Funded)
The Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (IAST), based at the Université Toulouse Capitole in France, invites applications for its 2026–2028 Postdoctoral Research Fellowships. These prestigious fellowships offer early-career researchers the opportunity to conduct full-time research in an interdisciplinary academic environment.
About the IAST Research Fellowships
The IAST Postdoctoral Research Fellowships aim to foster groundbreaking research across the social and behavioral sciences, providing young scholars with an opportunity to pursue innovative and interdisciplinary studies. Fellows enjoy a stimulating academic setting that encourages collaboration and exchange across multiple disciplines, including anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology, and more.
Each fellow receives office space, computer facilities, and a two-year contract, allowing them to focus entirely on advancing their independent research.
Degree Level
- Postdoctoral (Research Fellowship)
Available Subjects
The IAST welcomes applications from a wide range of fields within the social and behavioral sciences, including but not limited to:
- Anthropology: cooperation and conflict, human evolution, demography, health, aging, diet, and global health.
- Evolutionary Biology: evolutionary theory, behavioral ecology, and social evolution.
- Economics: microeconomics, development, game theory, and behavioral economics.
- History: quantitative and empirical economic history, social and political history.
- Political Science: political economy, policy studies, institutions, development, and networks.
- Psychology: artificial intelligence ethics, moral behavior, human-machine cooperation, and social learning.
- Sociology: social networks, inequality, mobility, polarization, and environmental sociology.
- Philosophy, Mathematics, and related disciplines are also considered.
Benefits
Selected IAST Research Fellows will receive:
- A two-year employment contract (CDD) in France
- Full-time research opportunity in an interdisciplinary environment
- Office space and computing facilities
- Access to academic seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary meetings
- Opportunities to collaborate across disciplines at the intersection of social and behavioral sciences
- Potential sponsorship for Marie Curie Fellowship applications (optional)
Expectations from Fellows
IAST fosters a collaborative and dynamic academic culture. Fellows are expected to:
- Attend seminars, institutional events, and the annual research retreat
- Participate in discussions and interdisciplinary exchanges
- Contribute, if needed, to the Summer School in Quantitative Social Sciences
- Engage with faculty and peers across different research domains
Eligible Nationalities
Open to all nationalities
IAST strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups and researchers from the Global South
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the IAST Research Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
- Have completed or expect to complete their PhD between December 2022 and September 2026.
- Applicants completing their PhD between October and December 2026 may have their start date postponed.
- Those who completed their PhD before December 2022 may apply with a justified explanation in the cover letter.
- Be early-career researchers who are not currently in tenure-track or tenured positions.
- Demonstrate a strong research background in their discipline and a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted online before November 15, 2025, via the official IAST application portal.
Required Documents (in English):
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover Letter (maximum two single-spaced pages) outlining current research and future plans
- Two writing samples (published papers, working papers, or book chapters)
- Contact details of three referees (name, title, and email). Referees will receive an automatic email request from IAST.
- Recommendation letters deadline: November 30, 2025
Marie Curie Sponsorship Option
Applicants interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship with IAST sponsorship should clearly indicate this intention in their cover letter. The selection process for Marie Curie applicants will follow the same evaluation and timeline as for the regular IAST fellowships.
Recruitment Timeline
- Application Deadline: November 15, 2025
- Recommendation Letters Deadline: November 30, 2025
- Zoom Interviews: Mid-January to early February 2026
- Final Decisions: Mid-March 2026
- Fellowship Start Date: September 2026
Conclusion
The IAST Research Fellowships 2026–2028 in France provide exceptional opportunities for early-career scholars to engage in interdisciplinary postdoctoral research at one of Europe’s leading research centers. With a supportive academic community and a focus on innovative social science inquiry, IAST offers the ideal environment to advance your research career.
