A wide variety of jobs
A wide variety of jobs are carried out by
researchers, engineers, technical and administrative
staff in the service and research units of CNRS.
The Researcher’s job and duties
Producing scientific knowledge, exploiting research results (technology transfer),
disseminating scientific information and training are the main duties of the researcher.
To achieve these duties, the researcher does a variety of activities, in his lab or on the
field, by himself or with a team, depending mainly on his field of research and the
appropriate methodologies and techniques. He:
- defines research subjects,
- elaborates protocols in collaboration with engineers and technicians of his team,
- carries out experiments,
- analyzes and interprets research results,
- writes and publishes articles,
- takes part and intervenes in conferences, colloquiums and seminars,
- etc.
In addition to these activities centered on the scientific production, the researcher
supervises the work of doctoral and post-doctoral students and guest researchers.
He can also devote some of his working time to teaching at the university.
He can also exploit his research results through establishing licenses and patents,
by contributing his consulting expertise to an existing company, or even by
creating his own company to apply the results of his scientific research.
During his career, he will also become involved in supervising research teams,
leading scientific projects and, if he wishes, managing research facilities.
Engineers, Technicians and Administrative Staff
CNRS engineers, technicians and administrative staff assist the
researchers. Their activities vary substantially to the field in which they work.
- The engineers define the technical characteristics of important scientific
projects and lead them from their development to their implementation. They
develop prototypes, original equipment and instrumentation, as well as new
methods and techniques. They are responsible for the development and the
implementation of the experiments, as well as the analysis and interpretation
of the results.
- The technicians assist the researchers and the engineers. They carry out and
control experiments, take measurements, initiate tests and apply experimental
protocols. They are involved in the maintenance of all equipment and
instrumentation.
- In CNRS service and research units, the administrative staff is responsible
for managing and administering research (secretarial duties, administration, human
resources, etc.)
At CNRS, more than 200 different professions for engineers, technicians
and administratives are to be found. The CNRS classification of engineering,
technical and administrative jobs has resulted in the designation of eight
professional fields of activity :
- Life sciences, such as characterization of natural systems, animal and plant biology, methods and technology developments in the areas of
cellular biology, molecular biology, structural biology, genetics,
proteinomics…
- Chemical sciences & materials sciences, such as synthesis and analysis of
molecular structures, chemical synthesis, chemical analysis, materials development,
treatment & characterization...
- Engineering sciences & scientific instrumentation, such as electronics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, precision optics, glassworks, scientific intrumentation and experimental techniques...
- Humanities and social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, economics, political sciences, demography, law, geography, analysis of archives, archaeology...
- Computer sciences & scientific computation, such as systems, networks and telecommunications, information systems, development and database
management, development of data-processing applications, scientific computation: modeling, statistics.
- Documentation, publishing, communication, such as documentation, library science, translation, publishing, graphic arts, printing & reproduction, audio-visual, multi-media, communications...
- Land/property, logistics, prevention, such as land/property restoration/maintenance, logistics and general procurement services, restoration, health & safety/occupational health...
- Administration & management, such as secretarial work, administration, human resources management and development, financial and accounting management, studies and projects, legal expertise, technology transfer, International relations...
