DECADOCS is a pioneering research and training programme enabled by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) aimed at reinterpreting the concept of decadence. Traditionally associated with decline, decadence will be explored through new perspectives, focusing on sustainability, transnationalism, and sensoriality. The programme offers tailored intersectoral training in collaboration with museums, archives, galleries, and other partners, reinforcing its scientific and social impact.
‘Decadent Aesthetics in British and European Cinema, 1890-1930’
🇬🇧 & 🇫🇷
Goldsmiths, University of London and UBE
The project, Decadent Aesthetics in British and European Cinema, 1890-1930, focuses on the vital role that decadence played in cinema beyond the fin de siècle and offers new ways of reimagining and understanding the literary and cultural history and legacy of decadence. It investigates different adaptations of decadent literary texts between 1890 and 1930 in Britain and Europe and interrogates how film directors and producers appropriated the literary decadence of the fin de siècle, with the aim of defining what might be labelled as the ‘decadent aesthetics of cinema’. One of the foundational tasks of the project will be to map and compare the development of national and international forms of decadent cinema over time with a view to identifying and analyzing a decadent aesthetics. The successful candidate will write a thesis of approximately 100,000 words and contribute to a website of resources on decadent British and European film.
Supervision for this project will be divided equally between Goldsmiths University, London and Université Bourgogne Europe, Dijon, France, with a 9-month period of secondment at The Cinema Museum (Kennington, London) and a 6-month period of secondment at the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux Pathé (Paris, France), where the successful candidate will receive additional training and support.
Goldsmiths is a vibrant university nestled in the lively atmosphere of Southeast London. It is recognised as a leading university for research with nearly four-fifths of research by academics considered ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, according to the last Research Excellence Framework (2021). Our students come to study with us from around 130 countries, which has helped make us the 69th ‘most international’ university in the world (QS World University Rankings 2022). The School of Music, English, and Theatre at Goldsmiths has a constellation of colleagues working on ‘the long nineteenth century’ in literary and cultural studies. The Decadence Research Centre (DRC), established and directed by Professor Jane Desmarais, hosts the Open Access journal Volupté and the British Association of Decadence Studies (BADS). Research students benefit directly from this intellectual and creative culture, as well as from proximity to the British Library and the University of London Library, and from other research resources, such as the University of London’s School of Advanced Studies and its specialised seminars and training opportunities.
Université Bourgogne Europe hosts some 40,000 students from some 120 nationalities. Located in the heart of the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, UBE is a multidisciplinary public university with a rich academic heritage dating back to 1722. With over 1,000 doctoral candidates, UBE offers a vibrant and supportive environment for advanced research and academic growth. It hosts 13 doctoral schools spanning a wide range of disciplines—from natural sciences and engineering to humanities and social sciences. It collaborates closely with prestigious research institutions such as CNRS, INRAE, and INSERM. Doctoral students have access to cutting-edge laboratories, specialized libraries, high-performance computing centres, and advanced scientific equipment. With over 300 international partnerships, UBE offers joint PhD programs, research mobility opportunities, and dedicated support for international doctoral candidates. UBE provides transversal skills training, career development workshops, and strong links with industry and public institutions to support postdoctoral career paths. Based in Dijon—a city of art, history, and gastronomy—UBE offers an affordable, culturally rich, and student-friendly setting, with a strong commitment to sustainability and quality of life.
The University of Goldsmiths and Université Bourgogne Europe are equal opportunities employers and are committed to principles of equality and encouraging diversity and inclusion in recruitment and in the workplace. We celebrate the diversity of our staff and students and work to support an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.
The position lasts for four years; the successful candidate will get a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years; prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years is to be expected.
A university PhD training programme is part of the agreement and the candidate will be enrolled in Goldsmiths’ Graduate School and ED 592 LECLA at UBE.
The offer starting date is flexible but must be before December 2025.
Requirements
Research Field
Literary studies; film studies
Education Level
Master’s Degree or equivalent in the arts and humanities, especially in the relevant fields of film studies, literature, or art studies
Skills/Qualifications
We are looking for highly motivated and talented candidates, with:
- A Master’s degree in literature, film studies, or a related field
- A clear interest in collaborative multidisciplinary research.
- A clear interest in archival research.
- A strong academic performance.
- A proactive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills.
- A high level of proficiency in written and spoken English and French.
Specific Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English
Experience in decadence studies, interdisciplinary research and/or knowledge of other languages is considered as an asset
Key responsibilities
The position is available for 48 months and the key tasks as a PhD student are:
- To manage and carry out the research project including:
- a digitization of archival material documenting and showcasing neglected early cinematic artworks in an open-access web platform for scholars and the general public at the Cinema Museum;
- creating a digital resource on decadent cinema from the Fondation Jérôme Seydoux Pathé;
- To write a PhD thesis
- To write articles for scientific peer-reviewed journals
- To attend and participate in research and training activities within the international DECADOCS network and local courses of the doctoral programme
- To teach and disseminate research in the scientific community (international conferences) and non-scientific community, by outreach and public engagement, notably by organising screenings of decadent cinematic worksin Britain and France to disseminate the genre to selected representatives of the film industry and general audiences including students.
Languages
Native or near native proficiency in English; proficiency in French
Eligibility criteria
Researchers funded by Doctoral Networks
- must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
- can be of any nationality
- should not be enrolled in another doctoral programme during the project
- should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date
Selection process
Application
If you meet our qualification criteria and have not resided in the UK for more than 12 months during the last 3 years, you are invited to upload the following documents in a single PDF format:
- a cover letter stating your motivation to apply for the position and your key competencies relevant for this position
- an up-to-date CV, including details of your BA and MA degrees
- copies of your diplomas and transcripts of records (BA and MA)
- evidence of proficiency in academic English
- the names and contact details of two referees
- a sample of academic writing (5,000 words max)
Our selection procedure is merit-based and follows the guidelines of the recruitment of European Commission’s European Code of Conduct for researchers: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code
Applications are now closed.
Interviews will take place online from 17 to 22 November 2025.
Contact
Jane Desmarais, Goldsmiths University
Send your application in a single PDF document labelled ‘name.applicationIRP7’ to Profs Desmarais and François-Denève
DECADOCS 