Call for projects: Joint theses 2024

Objectives

The aim of this call for proposals is to fund two "binomial" theses, i.e. two doctoral theses in two different disciplines, but with a common object of study and research program. The complementary nature of the disciplines should enable the doctoral students' work to be mutually reinforcing, each bringing their own expertise and different perspectives to the research program. Twinned theses thus encourage collaborative research and learning.
Proposed topics must fall within one of the following areas:

• Environment
• Health
• Public action

Conditions for responding to the call

This call for applications is open to all research units of PSL University establishments. However, the proposed project must involve two different units.
A research unit may submit several applications.

Le projet déposé doit comprendre :

• Les CV des deux directrices et/ou directeurs de thèse

• Les CV et lettres de motivation* des deux candidat(e)s

• La description des deux sujets de thèse mettant en évidence leur complémentarité dans le cadre d'un programme de recherche commun

• Les modalités d’interaction envisagées entre les deux doctorant(e)s afin de s’assurer d’un apport mutuel réel

* En cas de sélection de leur projet commun, les candidat(e)s doivent se sentir lié(e)s par un engagement moral et, en conséquence, ne pas se désister.

Critères

• Excellence scientifique et ambition du projet proposé

• Diversité des disciplines impliquées et complémentarité entre les deux sujets de thèse : le projet proposé doit reposer sur des disciplines suffisamment distinctes (ex : sciences sociales / sciences des données, physique / sciences de la terre, philologie / IA...) relevant de deux programmes doctoraux et deux programmes gradués différents. Il devra expliciter en quoi chacune de ces deux disciplines est déterminante pour aborder la problématique de recherche commune. Pour chacune d’elles, les compétences et méthodologies propres ainsi que les résultats escomptés en termes de production de connaissances devront être décrites.

The project must include :

• CVs of the two thesis directors
• CVs and covering letters* from both candidates
• A description of the two thesis topics, highlighting their complementarity within the framework of a joint research program
• How the two doctoral candidates plan to interact, to ensure that they make a real contribution to each other's work

* If their joint project is selected, the candidates must feel bound by a moral commitment not to withdraw.

Criteria

• Scientific excellence and ambition of the proposed project
• Diversity of disciplines involved and complementarity between the two thesis topics: the proposed project must be based on sufficiently distinct disciplines (e.g. social sciences / data sciences, physics / earth sciences, philology / AI...) from two different doctoral and graduate programs. It should explain how each of these two disciplines is decisive in tackling the common research problem.For each of them, the specific skills and methodologies involved, as well as the expected results in terms of knowledge production, should be described.

Timetable and selection procedure

• Launch of call for projects                                                          March 12, 2024
• Deadline for submission of complete applications              May 31, 2024
• Review of applications by selection committee                     June 2024
• Notification of decisions                                                             June 14, 2024