To understand more about the world around us, researchers working in the laboratories of CNRS Physics combine experiment, theory and modeling. Their work includes the development of cutting-edge instrumentation and the creation of new physical objects or concepts. Research conducted at the INP focuses on understanding matter, radiation and their interactions. It has lead to tangible innovations and demonstrates modern society's need for basic research.
CNRS Physics administers over 70 laboratories and works to structure its various scientific communities. Its research covers a vast disciplinary field: the sciences of matter from the scale of subatomic particles to solids, radiation and all its interactions with matter, as well as the fundamental laws governing the physical world.
Physics has a very broad field of applications. This ranges from elementary particles to cosmology and from matter to waves. It also extends as far as micro- and nano-technologies, as well to chemical and biological processes. Physics is defined not only by the object of study but also by the approach, method and tools used. The INP strongly encourages interdisciplinary research with solid roots in its core subjects, an essential ingredient for a successful cross-fertilization of ideas. Thus, physicists design methods and tools (instruments, software and theoretical approaches) which go on to be used by communities working in other disciplines.
The INP federates scientific communities to work on ambitious targeted projects via the research structures that it oversees:
These structures bring together CNRS researchers, technicians and engineers, along with research and support staff from the stakeholders with whom the CNRS jointly manages its laboratories. These are mainly universities and other research organizations such as the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) or the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA). In total, in terms of personnel this represents:
Physics contributes to the progress and reputation of all French sciences at the highest international level. The fourteen Nobel Prize awards to French physicists testify to this. The last three were awarded to: Albert Fert in 2007 for his discovery of giant magnetoresistance and his contribution to the development of spintronics; to Serge Haroche in 2012 for the development of pioneering experimental methods enabling the measurement and manipulation of individual quantum systems; and to Gérard Mourou in 2018 for the development of a method for generating ultra-short, high-intensity optical pulses.
Currently, two thirds of the INP's scientific publications result from international collaborations. The international visibility of the INP is based on coherent international partnerships, particularly in Europe, Canada, Japan, the United States, Latin America, Russia, China and Singapore. This has led to several forms of collaborative structures including:
The INP is committed to promoting research developed in its laboratories. It encourages new partnerships to help satisfy society's need for innovation. It works upstream to detect, evaluate and stimulate the innovative potential of its teams' and units' projects and then supports their initiators in the development and transfer of innovations and of breakthrough technologies.
The publication of the results of their work is critical for physicists. It is the first step in the dissemination and the transfer of their basic research and leaves a lasting trace of their work. The main objective of publications is for them to be read, compared with other results, and then to have their subjects taken further.
CNRS Physics is taking action to foster gender parity and equality on a daily basis in laboratories and to encourage young women to pursue careers in the field of physics. CNRS Physics has made this topic a priority by establishing a gender parity and equality team responsible for monitoring and implementing relevant measures. The work of our female researchers, lecturer-researchers, PhD students, engineers, and technicians is highlighted, along with best practices from CNRS Physics laboratories and the CNRS in this field. An annual training course has also been created to support women in their career paths within CNRS Physics laboratories.
The gender equality policy of CNRS Physics is part of the broader parity policy framework of CNRS. In this context, the institute has implemented a plan to improve gender parity and equality in its laboratories, with two main objectives:
The CNRS Physics gender parity and equality policy was developed based on the following observations:
The CNRS Physics policy to improve gender parity and equality in its laboratories is structured around three main pillars:
In collaboration with the Île-de-France Shared Training Service (IFSeM), CNRS Physics offers a specific training program titled “Women in Physical Sciences: Enhancing Skills, Building Confidence, and Sharing Experiences.” This is aimed at researchers, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff, providing tools to help them thrive professionally within CNRS Physics laboratories.
Co-leads : Bertrand Georgeot, Marie-Pierre Valignat
Members : Nina Bouchelaghem, Marta de Frutos, Séverine Martrenchard, Franck Menounga, Margaux Monvoisin, Lauren Puma
Contact us : inp-celluleparite@cnrs.fr
Find out more on MDPF's website
A practical information sheet on the rights of young parents working as researchers can be found on the EFIGIES website.
Find out about actions to prevent harassment - Mission pour la Place Des Femmes au CNRS (Mission for the Place of Women at the CNRS).
On February 26, 2019, the CNRS signed the Agreement on Commitment to gender stereotype-free communication, from the High Council for Equality between Women and Men (Convention d’engagement pour une communication sans stéréotype de sexe, du Haut conseil pour l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes). The CNRS and its bodies will formulate recommendations and proposals to ensure stereotype-free communication.
Read the Guide to stereotype-free communication.
Read the "Women in physics" news from CNRS Physique.
Personalized support is a system designed for researchers at CNRS Physics. It aims to address a professional issue identified either by the individual or by a third party. It is essential that the person concerned is willing to participate in this support. The reason for and content of the sessions are strictly confidential, and anonymity is fully guaranteed.
This support system complements, but does not replace, other existing forms of support such as training, mentoring, or human resources actions. It also does not substitute systems dedicated to addressing psychosocial risks and conflict situations (support hotlines, incident reporting, mediation, etc.).
Note: This service is limited to CNRS researchers, as separate support systems for research support staff are managed at the regional delegation level.
CNRS Physics places particular importance on the quality of the onboarding process and career support for new staff, especially in the beginning stages, to ensure successful integration and personal development within the workplace community.
Recognizing the diversity of research careers and roles, CNRS Physics is implementing a nationally coordinated mentoring program. Initially, this initiative is available to research fellows who have been appointed within the last five years in its laboratories, as a complement to any local programs.
The CNRS Physics’ mentoring program state of mind
Mentoring is a relationship in which one person (the mentor) supports and advises a colleague (the mentee), sharing their professional experience and personal insights from similar situations. It is not mandatory or systematic and may involve any early-career researcher.
Le mentorat se distingue du suivi scientifique par la section après le recrutement. Il se distingue aussi des outils mis en place par les laboratoires et les délégations régionales pour l'accueil des entrantes et entrants.
Objectives
Mentoring can address various aspects of professional life, including career development, time management, work-life balance, managing workplace relationships, visibility in the lab or internationally, responding to calls for proposals, etc.
Guidelines
Mentoring is initiated by the mentee and is based on mutual willingness. Although it involves a difference in experience, it does not establish a hierarchical relationship. It is a professional relationship grounded in listening, respect, and trust, with a shared commitment to confidentiality.
Implementation of Mentoring at CNRS Physics
Coordination Committee
A coordination committee composed of individuals from CNRS Physics and its Scientific Steering Committee (CSI) oversees the mentoring activities, including matching mentors and mentees.
At the national level, CNRS Physics has created a pool of experienced professionals who have volunteered to serve as mentors. Each mentoring pair is linked to a reference person from the coordination committee, who can offer additional support throughout the mentoring process.
Forming Mentoring Pairs
Anyone interested in participating in the mentoring program should send a brief request explaining their motivation to the coordination committee at: INP-mentorat@cnrs.fr.
A committee member will then contact the individual to clarify goals and expectations and to propose a suitable mentor. Following this exchange, the mentor and mentee will meet for a first session to discuss the objectives and structure of their mentoring relationship. If both parties agree on the goals and terms of the mentoring process, the mentor-mentee pair is officially established upon signing the Mentoring Charter.
On the occasion of the publication of a recommendation by its Scientific Council regarding emeritus status, CNRS Physics wishes to reiterate several important points, largely based on the CNRS HR Department’s Emeritus Circular.
Emeritus researchers are retired staff members who hold the status of voluntary collaborators. They do not qualify as permanent researchers, and in particular, they can no longer supervise or lead research teams. Likewise, they can no longer respond to calls for proposals in their own name or by delegation, nor sign partnership agreements.
The continuation of their scientific activities—something CNRS Physics naturally views very positively—may require resources (workspaces, travel funds, access to instruments and other resources) that the laboratory provides for them. However, the allocation of such resources must not come at the expense of active researchers, who take priority. CNRS Physics believes it is up to the laboratory’s leadership to assess the level of support that can be granted to these retired colleagues, who are sometimes distinguished and often still very active, while ensuring that this does not impact the professional development of active researchers, especially early-career scientists.
Finally, CNRS Physics encourages each laboratory to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of emeritus researchers in its internal regulations and to involve the laboratory council in the consultation process when the unit’s leadership is issuing a first emeritus appointment or its renewal.
