UCLouvain-Apply-for-an-academic-position

UCLouvain has an academic recruitment policy that is widely open to the outside world, both in Belgium and internationally. Thus, in recent years, most of the applications submitted have been from foreign candidates or candidates holding a doctorate (PhD) from a foreign university.

This policy also aims to balance the respective percentages of men and women engaged in academic careers at UCLouvain. Although there has been an improvement, the effort is being pursued in order to progressively reach a gender balance in this career. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

The opening of academic positions at UCLouvain is decided each year by the University’s Rectoral Council. It follows a precise procedure, described below and based on the Regulations Univeristy Statute (revised early 2010 - only in French).

What is the entry rank?

The entry grade in the academic career in Belgium is the grade of ‘Chargé-e de cours’*. It will automatically apply to those who have little or no academic experience (less than 8 years since the PhD).

Those who have more than 8 years of academic experience in Belgium or abroad in a position covering the three missions – teaching, research, services – could nevertheless be appointed to the rank of professor. This decision, which is made by the Rectoral Council, is based on an analysis of the candidate’s previous career, and in particular the temporary or permanent status of the previous appointment, the university of origin, the experience in the different missions carried out, the prizes obtained, etc. (non-exhaustive list).

The grade of ordinary professor is not accessible upon hiring, but only by internal promotion, according to the rules of the Statute.

Will the selected candidate be hired on a temporary or permanent basis?
Whether a candidate is hired permanently or temporarily depends on his/her experience.

A new academic with limited experience – or who is making a change of direction – will be appointed on a temporary basis, for a probationary period of usually four years.

If it deems it appropriate, the Rector’s Council has the possibility of immediately appointing the successful candidate on a permanent basis, provided that at the time of the proposal he or she has a permanent academic title at another university institution comparable to UCLouvain. This can never be the case if the candidate is not operational in French and English at the time of appointment.

At the end of the temporary period, the appointment will be confirmed as a permanent appointment if the evaluation of the activities is favourable.

The evaluation will generally focus on

Pedagogical skills and ability to teach in both French and English;

Integration into the scientific community and, more specifically, into a promising research team;

Integration into the faculty and institute of assignment, and, more broadly, into the university, both scientifically and in terms of relationships;

The continuation and perspectives of scientific production.

All of these objectives are defined individually at the beginning of the mandate with the Vice-Rector for Staff Policy, the Vice-rector of the Sector, the Dean and the President of the Institute.

(*) An Associate Professor may use the title of “Professor” once he or she takes up his or her duties.

How is the salary determined?
The salary will depend on the academic grade of hiring, and on the seniority that will be recognised at the time of hiring here (in FR only).

The simulations in this document (only in French) give an idea of the gross amounts of the scales, full-time, according to a given seniority and family situation.

Teaching load
In the case of a temporary appointment, the teaching load is limited to an average of 90 hours of ‘face-to-face’ teaching (‘volume 1’ identified by the teaching programs). This is per year, for a full-time load, and for the entire probationary period.

On permanent appointment, the teaching load is an average of 150 hours per year for a full-time load.

What are the social benefits for UCLouvain staff?

Free public transport (SNCB/NMBS, TEC, De Lijn, STIB/MIVB): UCLouvain employees can benefit from free travel to and from work by train, or by any other public transportation (subway, tramways, bus);

Other benefits: other benefits granted to UCLouvain members may be communicated to the candidate who receives an employment proposal.

Residency in Belgium
Successful candidates who are not domiciled in Belgium are requested to have their residence in Belgium as soon as possible (within 12 months at the latest); their teaching and research responsibilities will require their regular presence in their office and/or laboratory. This also meets certain requirements of the social and tax legislation on employment in Belgium.