Call for applications #1

From 23 Mar to 17 May 2026

Why undertake a Postdoctoral position?

The REACH-UPPA Postdoctoral programme offers 10 outstanding postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to pursue ambitious, high-impact research in a stimulating and interdisciplinary environment at the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour (UPPA).

For this first call, candidates may submit a research project in 8 research priority areas of the UPPA.

Throughout the programme, researchers will benefit from tailored mentoring by dedicated UPPA supervisors, close collaboration with a financed PhD candidate, and a 3–6-month research secondment at a pre-selected partner organisation or another relevant institution of their choice.

REACH is designed to support scientific excellence, foster innovation and interdisciplinarity, and strengthen international collaboration, enabling PDRs to develop a strong and impactful research profile.

The programme also provides dedicated financial support, including funding for research-related activities as well as mobility allowances for conferences and secondments.

Research fields

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING: Mathematics; Condensed Matter Physics; Physical and Analytical Chemical Sciences; Synthetic Chemistry and Materials; Computer Science and Informatics; Systems and Communication Engineering; Products and Processes Engineering; Earth System Science and Materials Engineering

LIFE SCIENCES: Molecules of Life: Biological Mechanisms, Structures and Functions; Integrative Biology: from Genes and Genomes to System; Cell Biology, Development, Stem Cells and Regeneration; Physiology in Health, Disease and Ageing; Environmental Biology, Ecology and Evolution; Biotechnology and Biosystems Engineering

SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES: Individuals, Markets and Organisations; Institutions, Governance and Legal Systems; The Social World and Its Interactions; Texts and Concept; The Study of the Human Past; Human Mobility, Environment, and Space; Studies of Cultures and Arts

How to apply ?

1. Consult the list of research areas on the website or the Guide for applicants on the application platform https://aap.univ-pau.fr/

2. You may contact the Unit Directors only to obtain general information about the research unit.

Applicants must not contact individual researchers or potential mentors directly. Contact with Unit Directors (DUs) is permitted solely for general information about the laboratory. Requests concerning specific research topics, feedback on a project proposal, or opinions on an application are strictly prohibited.

3. Prepare a research project (PDF format, template provided, max. 10 pages) relevant to the chosen research area, including:

• State of the art
• Research objectives
• Positioning within the scientific areas of the research unit
• Scientific methodology
• 48-month work program

4. Submit your application online via https://aap.univ-pau.fr/

Click here to apply

Criteria of eligibility

• Researchers must be in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the programme's call.
• Up to 3 years of research experience (full-time equivalent) after the obtention of the doctoral degree at the call deadline. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree are also eligible, provided they submit valid certification. Only the date of approval of doctoral degree will be taken into account
• To have at least 1 publication as main author (either accepted or published) as a result of their doctoral work in an international
• Must comply with the following mobility rule: Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (FRANCE) for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the date of the call deadline. Be ready to provide proof of compliance according to your personal situation. Examples of documents are ID cards, residence permits, registration documentation, lease agreement, bills, etc. Please note that UPPA may request additional documentation later in the process
• Each applicant may propose only one research project in one thematic area
• The programme is open to applicants of any nationality. Only one proposal per applicant is eligible. In the event of multiple applications, only the latest submitted application will be considered.

Application requirements

1. The candidate’s extended CV (pdf format, Template provided)
2. A personal statement (pdf format, Template provided)
3. A research project (pdf format, Template provided)
4. An ethics self-assessment (Template provided)
5. Two signed reference letters from referees affiliated with two different institutions, sent directly by the referees to reach-uppa@univ-pau.fr before the call deadline, with the following subject line: “REACH-UPPA Programme – Reference Letter – ‘Applicant’s Name’ – ‘Referee’s Name’.”
6. A copy of the doctoral degree certificate or an equivalent certificate of completion of the doctorate.
7. Copies of official valid English language certificates (Cambridge FCE or equivalent for non-native English speakers). Minimum level B2. Copy of a valid ID card or passport at the call deadline (For non-EU candidates, a valid passport is mandatory).
8. A request for extension - seniority rule (pdf format, Template provided), if applicable, with supporting documentation
9. A declaration on honour (template provided) about the conformity of the information declared, including the mobility.

Fellowship conditions

1. The living allowance for REACH-UPPA PDRs will be €3,500 gross per month. French taxes and social security contributions apply, resulting in an estimated net monthly salary of approximately €2,880 before income tax.
2. Mobility allowance (managed by UPPA): up to 10 000 € to partially cover travels, accommodation, etc. linked to secondments for the project duration
3. Travel allowance (managed by UPPA) up to 10 000 € over the 4-year period of the position to cover expenses related to the travel for attendance or participation to conferences, workshops…
4. Research costs (managed by UPPA): Research costs are allocated to each position to cover expenses related to the research activity, including computers, consumables, publications, and other research-related costs. As the use of experimental infrastructures generates significantly higher expenses than non-experimental research, the allocated budget differs accordingly. The research cost budget is set at €30,000 for non-experimental sciences and €60,000 for experimental sciences.
5. Each PDR will be allocated a PhD position, with a standard French PhD salary (120 000€/PhD), co-supervised with a senior supervisor.
6. Mandatory tailored training, individual support, mentoring: postdoctoral researchers will design a Personal Career Development Plan PCDP at the start of their research and have access to a wide variety of trainings and workshops. A mentor will be proposed in order to guide and support him/her, in order to facilitate his/her professional integration
7. Mandatory secondment of 3 to 6 months is with the project partners

Mandatory templates for the application

Download «REACH-CALL#1- EXTENDED CV.rtf» (7.8 Mo)

Download «REACH-CALL#1- RESEARCH PROJECT.rtf» (7.8 Mo)

Download «REACH-CALL#1- PERSONAL STATEMENT.rtf» (7.7 Mo)

Download «REACH-CALL#1- DECLARATION ON HONOUR.rtf» (7.7 Mo)

Download «REACH-CALL#1- ETHICS SELF ASSESSMENT.rtf» (7.9 Mo)

Download «REACH-CALL#1- EXTENSION REQUEST FORM.rtf» (7.7 Mo)- if applicable

Appeal redress procedure

A redress procedure is available for applicants who wish to appeal the outcome of the evaluation at any stage of the process: eligibility check, application review, or interview.

Appeals may be submitted only on administrative or procedural grounds. Applicants have 10 days from the date of notification of the results of each selection stage to file an appeal.

All appeals must be submitted using the redress request form.

Download«REACH-CALL#1- REDRESS REQUEST.rtf» (7.7 Mo)

Contact

For any further questions, please contact us at reach-uppa @ univ-pau.fr