- Event
Call for Applications – Postdoctoral Researcher - Faire collection in Management - Université Paris Dauphine - PSL
Working Environment and Context
Our institution is part of Université PSL. Located in the heart of Paris, Université PSL fosters dialogue across all fields of knowledge, innovation, and creation. Ranked among the world’s top 50 universities, it provides research‑driven training for researchers, artists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are conscious of their individual and collective social responsibility.
Host Structure
Laboratory: Dauphine Recherches en Management (DRM, CNRS UMR 7088), M‑Lab team
Context: PSL Major Research Programme (GPR) Faire collection
The PSL Major Research Programme Faire collection, bringing together researchers from 11 PSL member institutions and 13 laboratories, is part of the recent revival in the history of science and knowledge. It unites research on collections, considered both as tools and products of research and teaching practices. The investigations are conducted from a transdisciplinary, diachronic, and reflexive perspective.
The “Faire collection in Management” Project: “Collecting in management” is a relatively new area of inquiry. Historically, collections predate museums, but prior to the invention and expansion of museums, there are no known collections specifically devoted to management objects—or, before the term “management” emerged, to administrative or organizational artifacts. The Faire collection in Management project is led by Dauphine Recherches en Management (M‑Lab team), in collaboration with the Cercle de l’Innovation (Dauphine Foundation), the Dauphine Museum of Management, the Université Paris Dauphine - PSL Library, and the Mines Paris - PSL Library.
Mission
The project has three main objectives:
- To contribute to a precise and advanced formulation of what it means to “faire collection” in management, as well as the challenges involved, thereby enriching existing preliminary definitions;
- To help establish analytical and decision‑making criteria at different stages of building management collections—from identifying relevant objects, to selecting, classifying, indexing, and devising tools for publication and dissemination—and, consequently, to reflect on how the history of management is written;
- To contribute to a redefined articulation between “faire collection,” conducting research in management, and practicing management itself, whether during the conception phase (designing collections, research programmes and projects, or managerial activities) or during the utilization phase (linking established collections with teaching and research practices in management, as well as managerial practices themselves).
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with and under the supervision of the project leaders. The appointed researcher will be expected to contribute in the following ways:
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To assimilate the literature on the concept and history of collections, the history of museums and their transformations up to the present day, and the key concepts and major developments in the history of management. This includes exploring historically how collections were created: the purposes behind them, how they were assembled, and what they have become.
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To study how the two partner libraries of the project develop their management collections, how the Dauphine Museum of Management operates in this regard, and how partner companies currently manage or could manage such collections. Priority will be given to consulting companies and institutions affiliated with the Cercle de l’Innovation.
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To become familiar with classification, indexing, documentation, publication, and valorization tools used by libraries. This involves analyzing management objects, corpora, and collections in relation to systems such as Dewey (classification), Ravel (indexing), Omeka-S, etc., evaluating their compatibility and limitations. Questions to address include: Can collections be built differently or better? Should classification and indexing systems evolve? If so, how?
- To work with partner companies to explore what “faire collection” would mean in practice with management objects and documents. This includes beginning to assemble collections from archives as well as contemporary objects and documents. The researcher will analyze how a stock of archived items transforms when curated as a collection—for example, company newsletters, meeting minutes, speeches, management artifacts such as charts (e.g., Gantt charts), or objects used in quality circles or creativity sessions. The aim is to describe the possible uses of a collection and how “faire collection” takes on new significance both in relation to scientific research in management and to management practice itself.
Project Deliverables:
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A literature review on the concept of “faire collection.”
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An analysis of the specificities of “faire collection” in management, based on the expertise and projects of the two partner libraries, the Dauphine Museum of Management, and the explorations conducted with partner companies.
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Recommendations for the development of management collections, including proposals for innovative ways to “faire collection” and integrate collections into both scientific research activities in management and management practice itself.
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Pilot experiments pre-tested with the libraries, the Dauphine Museum of Management, and the companies and institutions involved in the project.
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Special attention to conclusions regarding how the history of management is written and how “faire collection in management” contributes to this understanding.
Required competencies
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher in management sciences (with a historical component) or in business history, with the ability to quickly become familiar with documentary tools and established practices in collection management. Candidates must have obtained their doctoral degree within the last three years.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of management sciences (theories, techniques, tools) and an interest in history.
- Ability to quickly familiarize themselves with library science (collection policies) and museum studies, as well as associated tools and techniques.
- Interest in analyzing and processing large datasets, and an interest in artificial intelligence.
- Skills in exploration, conceptualization, and synthesis.
- Familiarity with data visualization tools is a plus.
- Proficiency in English (C1 level).
Application procedure
Please complete the online application form by January 10, 2026, 6:00pm: https://forms.gle/VvPdDA6HaAL7zgzU8Applications should include:
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications and participation in academic events
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the project and alignment with the expected deliverables and required skills
- Contact details of two academic referees who may be approached for reference