About this role
An academic in Geography of the physical environment and the climate Référence du poste: 38632 / SC 041 / 2027 UCLouvain seeks to recruit A full time academic in Geography of the physical environment and the climate Main Campus: Louvain-la-Neuve About us UCLouvain is the leading French-speaking university in Belgium and is also widely recognised internationally. 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 20 faculties, 23 research institutes, 5 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 3 incubators, which is fuelled further by being at the centre of a region driven by technological innovation. UCLouvain has a strong tradition of international collaboration in both teaching and research. These partnerships take shape through numerous exchange agreements, its firm commitment to the European alliance Circle U. and the network The Guild, as well as the welcoming of a large community of international researchers, supported by the Louvain Welcome Desk. The University's staff policy is based on five pairs of values which are fundamental pillars of the way the University operates, works and lives together: https://uclouvain.be/fr/emploi/politique-personnel.html Post description Within the Faculty of Sciences and the Earth & 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 physical geography, with a focus on Earth Systems processes, including climate processes, and their multi-scale interactions with societal dynamics, as well as geospatial methods. Courses will be at the undergraduate as well as graduate levels and will include activities in the lab and in the field, in collaboration with the other teachers of the School of Geography. Where relevant, you will ensure the courses are accessible to students from outside of the School of Geography. You will eventually also take part in the teacher education programme in geography for secondary school. You will also be expected to supervise Master’s theses. • Research You will develop your research activities, including the lead of research programmes in the field of physical geography, in relation to climate change, with an emphasis on the interactions between surface processes and human activities. Your work will adopt a systemic and spatial approach of human-environment interactions using quantitative methods (observational methods, experimental analyses, modelling). You will demonstrate your ability to integrate and collaborate with research activities in the Earth and Climate pole of the Earth & Life Institute and the rest of the institute. Your publication record should reflect your capacity to conduct research at an international level. Your ability to communicate your research effectively to both expert and non-expert audiences, including the public or stakeholders, will be considered an asset. You will be expected to lead a research team, foster collaborations and will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses. • In addition … Once tenured, you will coordinate the teacher training programme for the School of Geography and 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. Who we’re looking for Education You have a PhD in Geographycal Sciences or in a similar domain. 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 supplemented this with an extended stay or significant experience abroad, outside the institution that awarded your doctorate. 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. What we offer Tenure after positive assessment of the probationary period – typically four years. This type of career entitles you to a public sector pension. Appointment as lecturer or professor according to your previous academic experience, as determined by the Rectoral Council. Teaching load capped at 90 hours for a full-time tenure-track position, and 150 hours once tenured. An attractive and progressive salary according to seniority and the promotion process. A start date of 1 September 2027 at the earliest. An integrated leadership and management training programme, including a range of pedagogical, linguistic and other training courses. Benefits including transport, family, culture, commercial, etc. Official policy that supports equal opportunities and promotes diversity within academic and all other categories of staff. Specific emphasis on a work-life balance. Practical Information Application deadline: 5 November 2026 at noon (UTC+1 Time Zone) Starting date: September 1st 2027 Location: Science and Technology Sector (SC) (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/SC) (ELI) (https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/ELI) Need more information? Questions about this position: Prof. Pascal Lambrechts, Dean SC – [email protected] Prof. Marnik Vanclooster, President ELI – [email protected] Questions about the procedure: Madam Céline Brauns, Rector’s Office – [email protected] Questions about online application: Madam Andreea Chiriac, Rector’s Office – [email protected] Interested? Applications must be submitted exclusively via UCLouvain’s online recruitment system; submissions through other channels will not be considered. Full details regarding the application procedure are available at: https://www.uclouvain.be/en/careers/submit-your-application Applications must include one single PDF file containing the following documents: a cover letter (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile); a detailed and up‑to‑date curriculum vitae (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile); a copy of the official doctoral degree certificate; a complete publication list, including a summary of three recent and significant publications; a teaching statement; a research statement presenting the proposed research programme for the next five years. Shortlisted candidates invited for an interview will subsequently be asked to provide: a PhD project proposal, with a view to the possible recruitment of a doctoral candidate during the first year of appointment; three to five letters of reference, submitted directly by referees according to the instructions provided by the University.