About the organisation
UCLouvain is in the top 1% of universities worldwide. Founded in the heart of Europe in 1425, the university brings together 40,000 students and 6,000 staff members on nine campuses in Brussels and Wallonia. Research and education activities are organised in 14 faculties, 22 research institutes, five learning centres and 18 libraries. UCLouvain also has two university hospitals.
UCLouvain is a major player in the transition to a sustainable society. The challenges of the ecological crisis are integrated into courses and the university develops numerous local projects (such as a university farm and sustainable campuses). As a digital university, UCLouvain is involved in open science and education, and trains academics in innovative teaching practices through its Louvain Learning Lab. Thanks to two science parks, the university’s research benefits from interaction with 250 companies and three incubators, which is fuelled further by being at the centre of a region driven by technological innovation.
UCLouvain has a long tradition of international collaborations for teaching and research through partnerships across the world. As a member of the Circle U. European University alliance, the university offers a unique opportunity to work in an environment of interconnected campuses across Europe (London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Pisa, Belgrade, Aarhus and Oslo).
The university has a gender and inclusion policy which prioritises equity and respect. Working at UCLouvain means contributing to the development of every individual’s skills and promoting the values of equality, transparency and efficiency.
Within the Science and Technology Sector, the position to be filled will be attached to the Faculty of Science (School of Geography), and the Earth and Life Institute. The Institute brings together over 400 scientists covering a wide range of disciplines in the field of the Earth and Life system. ELI researchers aim to understand the fundamental processes of the Earth & Life system at different scales and to design sustainable solutions for the Earth and Life system problems that challenge our current societies. The institute promotes interdisciplinarity and stimulates interactions between scientists with complementary expertise.
About the position
Within the Faculty of Science and the Earth and Life Institute, Science and Technology Sector, this position will include the following teaching, research and community service duties:
Teaching
You will teach mainly in the field of human geography as well as spatial and quantitative methods at both advanced (master) and basic (bachelor) levels, including on the field, and in a collaborative manner. You will teach in the various study cycles run by the faculty, mainly in the School of Geography, and possibly in other faculties in the sector.
You will also be expected to supervise Master’s theses.
Research
You will develop your research activities, including the animation of research programs, in the field of human geography and particularly on the interactions between human activities and the environment in an increasingly connected and urbanized world. Your research will use a systemic approach and geospatial data analysis methods. You will have to show your potential for integration and collaboration with research within the institute but also outside the institute (for example with the Louvain research institute for Landscape, Architecture, Built environment).
You will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses.
In addition …
Once tenured, you will carry out various service activities and responsibilities within the institution, such as being a member of a programme committee or examination committee, or having management responsibilities within the faculty or research institute.
You will also contribute to serving society, particularly in the economic, social, cultural or development cooperation fields. Finally, you will ensure, through research and teaching activities, the university’s international visibility.
About the requirements
Education
You have a PhD in Geographical Sciences (or in a domain that can be considered as equivalent).
Experience
You have a proven track record in university teaching, with evidence where possible by formal evaluations. Your scientific experience is demonstrated by publications of international standing.
You have extended experience abroad or at least outside your home institution.
Skills
You are comfortable working as part of a team of academics and integrate research results into your teaching. You are capable of conducting high-level scientific research, from obtaining funding to team management. You are creative, open to pedagogical innovation and multidisciplinary.You can communicate in French and English. If this is not the case, you undertake to acquire a command of these two languages within two years of taking up your position. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
Specifically:
Your ability to communicate your research to an audience of experts but also non-experts (general public, stakeholders, ...) will be considered an asset.