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Applying for a Chargé/e de Recherche de Classe Normale (CRCN) position with the CNRS is a highly competitive process. The key to a successful application lies not only in the quality of your scientific contributions but also in your ability to meet the stringent requirements of the application process. Understanding the required documents and how they align with the expectations of the CNRS and its evaluation committees is critical.

This blog post breaks down the required application documents for the CNRS concours into two layers. First, we will review the official requirements listed in the CNRS applicant guide. This will give you a picture of the top-level requirements for the entire concours, across all sections. And second, we will explore additional details provided by the specific astronomy section’s website, which often includes tailored advice for our field. These follow of course the general CNRS rules, but their website often offers a more fine-grained explanation of the expectations of the astronomy committee in particular.

This post specifically reviews the requirements for the 2025 CNRS concours, as these can vary from year to year. The most recent example is how a full publication list is not part of the required documents anymore. As of 2024, and continued in 2025, this requirement has been replaced by a commented list of the applicant’s seven most impactful productions. This post focuses solely on listing the requirements, and we will write a separate blog post about the evaluation criteria at a later date.

Official Requirements Listed in the Applicant Guide

The official requirements for the CNRS concours are outlined in the CNRS applicant guide, providing a broad overview applicable to all disciplines. For candidates applying to a Chargé/e de Recherche de Classe Normale (CRCN) position, the required documents fall into two main categories: documents to write and prepare by the candidate and auxiliary information to upload. You are likely to spend a lot of time writing and iterating on the documents you have to write, your dossier, but you should pay close attention to all the additional documentation you will have to include in your application, in particular potential official translations of your foreign degrees and thesis committee reports.

The documents you will need to write in order to form your dossier:

  • CV: The candidate’s academic and professional background.
  • Past Work Report: A summary of past research achievements.
  • Summary of Previous Work: A concise, 12-line summary of the previous point to include in the application form.
  • Research Project: A clear and structured presentation of the candidate’s proposed research program.
  • Commented List of Research Products: Up to seven of the candidate’s most impactful works over the course of their career, with comments on their significance and the cant to the past research and proposed project.

Candidates are expected to write and prepare these key documents with careful attention to detail. Importantly, there are no strict length limits for these documents as imposed by CNRS. However, the astronomy section does have concrete length requirements, which we will cover in the following section.

Auxiliary documents are essential for validating your credentials and meeting administrative requirements. These include:

  • Doctorate Degree or Equivalent: A copy of the doctorate degree, or, if not yet defended, the authorization to defend the thesis.
  • Thesis Committee Report: A document detailing the evaluation of the candidate’s thesis by the examining committee.
  • Translation of Foreign Degrees: For candidates with foreign qualifications, translations of the degree into French by a sworn translator are required; this remains (highly!) recommended for the thesis committee report.
  • PhD Thesis: Recommended if the thesis is already defended.

For foreign degrees, obtaining a certified translation in advance is essential to avoid delays. While submitting the PhD thesis is optional, it can be a strong addition to the application if it reinforces the candidate’s profile.

Recommendation letters are another key component of the application, though the general CNRS guidelines do not specify the number or origin of these letters. They must be submitted directly by the referees through a separate portal link provided by CNRS.

These official guidelines ensure that candidates meet the foundational requirements of the CNRS concours. In the next section, we delve into the additional specifications imposed by the astronomy section, which often include more detailed formatting and content expectations tailored to the field.

Section-Specific Requirements: Astronomy Section Website

The CNRS astronomy section’s website provides additional specifications that candidates must follow to tailor their applications to the expectations of the astronomy recruitment committee. These requirements refine the general CNRS guidelines and are critical for applicants targeting astronomy positions.

First, there are specific formatting and content expectations for the key documents:

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV): The CV should provide a detailed summary explicitly distinguishing the candidate’s various research activities. A length of 2 to 4 pages is generally advised, and it is important to ensure the CV is well-organized and annotated as per the astronomy section’s preferences. A full list of items to include in the CV is provided on the website.
  • Work Report and Research Project: Both the work report and the research project should be concise yet comprehensive. Typically, each of these documents should be around 4 pages, but the total length for both combined must not exceed 8 pages. Flexibility is allowed; for example, candidates can submit 5 pages for the work report and 3 pages for the research project if it better suits their narrative.

Next, the astronomy section provides guidance on recommendation letters:

  • Number and Type of Recommendation Letters: Candidates should limit themselves to a maximum of three letters of recommendation. It is preferable to include at least one letter from a member of the proposed host laboratory.
  • Support Letters from Research Unit Directors: A letter of support from the director of the proposed host research unit is not required from the Section 17 and if they are submitted, will not be read.

By adhering to these tailored requirements, candidates can present their applications in a manner that aligns closely with the expectations of the astronomy committee.

Conclusions

Successfully completing the CNRS application process requires careful attention to all requirements: the official CNRS guidelines, and the additional specifications imposed by the astronomy section. By addressing each of these thoroughly, candidates can ensure their applications meet the standards expected by the evaluation committees.

Starting early is essential to navigate potential challenges such as preparing translations, obtaining recommendation letters, and fine-tuning application documents. Proactive preparation will minimize last-minute stress and increase the chances of success.

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