Permanent researchers
Scientific independence and responsibilities
INED’s permanent researchers are free to define their research subjects within the Institute’s overarching scientific program and the research areas of the unit(s) they belong to.
They diffuse their research work (books, articles, conference papers, etc.) nationally and internationally; are active in training early-career researchers and informing the public on demographic issues; and provide expertise in connection with public policies designed to respond to social issues and challenges.
Resources
Our permanent researchers receive support from the Institute administration, the various departments, and INED’s research support services in the areas of surveys, statistical methods, data processing, IT, documentation, publishing, international relations, communications, and partnerships.
INED has financial resources to fund a proportion of research expenses but researcher also draw on additional funding and grants from France’s National Research Agency (ANR) and the European Commission as well as other research funders in France and abroad.
Recruiting via French state competitive examinations (concours) and permanent researcher careers
INED’s permanent researchers are state civil servants, recruited through nationwide competitive examinations (concours) either as early-career researchers or senior researchers, a status for which previous experience is required (see below for details).
Like all new civil servants in France, researchers attain permanent status after a 12-month probationary period.
In the course of their career, permanent researchers are called upon to head a research unit, steer scientific projects, and take on other tasks in the collective interest of the Institute, such as sitting on editorial committees, managing or helping manage PhD student and postdoctoral fellow affairs, running activities to promote and advance research, joining the ethics committee, etc.
The permanent researcher community is also represented in different INED management bodies, notably the Scientific Council and the evaluation committee.
Early-career researchers are initially hired on the basis of nationwide state competitive examinations called concours at the classe normale (CRCN) level, and may be promoted in the course of their career to the higher level in that category: chargé de recherche hors classe.
They may also accede to senior researcher status (DR2), once again through the relevant competitive state examination (concours) .
Senior researchers, who arrive via concours with DR2 status may later be promoted to 1st-class status (DR1), and those with that status may advance to exceptional-class senior researcher status.
INED permanent researchers are paid in accordance with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research pay scale. They may also receive bonuses for collective services rendered in the collective interest and heading large-scale research projects.
Emeritus status
INED hosts and hires French and non-French researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, on fixed-term contracts.
Other statuses
Contract researchers
INED hosts and hires French and non-French researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, on fixed-term contracts.
For more information
Associated researchers
INED receives researchers from other research centers or universities for a renewable period of 1 to 3 years without remuneration.
INED research units request this status for outside researchers on the basis of a project to collaborate on projects that fit into the research areas of the given unit.
Affiliated researchers
INED receives (without remuneration) staff members from public research and or statistics institutions (particularly INSEE) seeking a research framework and environment. Stays are for one year (renewable) and subject to a signed agreement between INED and the institution of origin.
INED research units request affiliation status for outside researchers and statisticians on the basis of a project to collaborate on projects consistent with the research areas of the given unit.
Researchers on paid leave from their public institution
INED receives permanent researchers on paid leave from their institutions; usually academics for a period of one or two semesters. They enjoy the same advantages as INED permanent researchers though they do not teach. They usually stay at INED for a year.
Guest researchers
INED hosts international researchers for periods ranging from two weeks to one year. Our International Relations and Partnerships department (DRIP) is in charge of organizing these stays.
Information on INED hosting of international researchers
