Director position of the Institut de physique du globe de Paris (IPGP)

General context

The IPGP is the only “Grand établissement d’enseignement supérieur et de recherche” in France in the field of Earth, environmental, and planetary sciences. In 2019, the IPGP, together with the former universities Paris Diderot (P7) and Paris Descartes (P5) created the Université Paris Cité (UPCité) by the merging of P5 and P7 and the integration of the IPGP as an “établissement composante” of UPCité. The IPGP has three missions: research, observation and teaching, as defined in its 1990 and 2019 decrees. The IPGP carries out its missions thanks to its own resources (human and financial), and dedicated resources from its main partners, UPCité, the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), particularly the National Institute of Earth Sciences and Astronomy (INSU), the French space agency (CNES), the National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN), and the University of La Réunion (UR).

Created in 1921, the IPGP is a world-renowned geoscience institute, and one of the top 15 institutions worldwide in Earth Sciences, as ranked by the 2024 Shanghai Rankings. The IPGP brings together about 150 tenured researchers with a high international profile, over 10% of whom being for instance AGU fellows. Half of the hundred or so PhDs are foreign nationals. The IPGP houses state of the art geophysical facilities, its own mesocenter for parallel computing and data processing in the earth sciences, as well as unique analytical resources, notably in geochemistry, magnetism and experimental petrology. The IPGP develops space activities for Earth observation and planetology supported by CNES and major space agencies in Europe (ESA), the USA (NASA).

The IPGP studies the Earth and the planets from the core to the most superficial fluid envelopes, through observation, experimentation and modelling. Special attention is given to long-term observations that are essential for the study of natural systems. Main research themes include :

– the study of the structure and internal dynamics of planets and their evolution through geological time
– the study of natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides or magnetic storms
– measuring, understanding and modelling the functioning of our planet’s surface, also called the “Critical Zone”
– the study of the primordial processes that led to the formation of the Solar System and the emergence of life on Earth

The IPGP oversees national observation services in volcanology, seismology, magnetism, gravimetry and erosion. The Earth’s magnetic field has been continuously measured for 140 years, while the IPGP’s permanent observatories monitor the four active French overseas volcanoes in the islands of Guadeloupe (La Soufrière), Martinique (Montagne Pelée), La Réunion (Piton de la Fournaise) and Mayotte (submarine Fani Maoré volcano). The Martinique observatory is the second oldest volcanological observatory in the world. In addition, the IPGP equips and maintains, in partnership, two global geophysical networks that monitor magnetic field variations (BCMT) and global seismic activity (GEOSCOPE). IPGP monitors erosion processes through the OBSERA observatory in Guadeloupe. IPGP also hosts the INSIGHT-FSS observatory dedicated to the monitoring of the seismic activity of Mars and the Moon.

The IPGP and UPCité, in collaboration with other institutions, offer several undergraduate programs including on Geosciences, Earth Politics, Environment and New Energies, and Waste Management and Treatment. The IPGP and UPCité offer eight Master’s degrees in Earth Sciences, Planetary Sciences, and Environment, and a doctoral degree through the STEP’UP, Earth and Environment Science and Physics of the Universe in Paris doctoral school. The IPGP operates across six sites: two in Paris (Cuvier and Lamarck), and the observatories located in Chambon-la-Forêt (Orléans forest), Guadeloupe, Martinique, and La Réunion. The institute employs approximately 460 people, including 280 permanent staff across IPGP, UPCité, CNRS, IGN, and UR.

Mission

The Director of the IPGP is responsible for the scientific and administrative management of the institute and for the activity of the IPGP observatories, in particular the monitoring of the French active volcanoes. As the head of IPGP, the Director oversees the smooth operation of the institute, represents it in all civil matters, and chairs the Scientific Council (SC), which advises on scientific policies. The Director works closely with the Board of Directors (BOD) and with the Pedagogical Council (PC), which provides advice on training and education. Surrounded by a leadership team, the Director of IPGP oversees the planning, decision-making, and allocation of human and financial resources, and ensures the oversight of the Research, Observation, and Teaching structures and programs under IPGP’s responsibility.

Qualifications and Application

The term of office is five years (for a French civil servant) or three years (if not a French civil servant), with the possibility of an immediate renewable term. The position is open to qualified candidates of any citizenship who meet the requirements for managing a research institute or department in the main research areas of the IPGP. Experience in leading research institutes or equivalent entities is highly desirable. Familiarity with the administrative context of French research and proficiency in French language are advantageous.

Applications must be submitted to the Chair of the Board of Directors (BOD) by November 15, 2025 and should include :
– a detailed curriculum vitae
– a statement outlining the candidate’s qualifications and work experience
– a document specifying the candidate’s vision and plans for the future development of the IPGP

Applications should be sent to :
M. Olivier Peyret
Président du Conseil d’Administration de l’IPGP
Institut de physique du globe de Paris
1 rue Jussieu, 75005 Paris
Email :
Candidates will be invited to an interview with the BOD in December 2025.

For more information and contextualization of the position, interested parties may contact the Chairman of the BOD or the General Director of IPGP Services, M. Antoine Charlot (email: ).