Academic position in Terrestrial Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation

Reference: 35427 / SC 018 / 2024 

UCLouvain seeks to recruit 

A full-time academic in Terrestrial Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation 

Main campus: Louvain-la-Neuve

About us

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 Biology) 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.

Post description

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 biology. You will teach in the various study cycles managed by the faculty. You will teach basic courses in ecology and biology of organisms in the Bachelor of Biology program and advanced courses from the Master program in Biology of Organisms and Ecology in the field of terrestrial ecology and conservation of biodiversity, with a specific emphasis on the practical aspects of biodiversity conservation in highly disturbed environments.

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 terrestrial ecology and biodiversity conservation. This implies that part of the research is carried out in the field, whether by means of observational or experimental approaches. You will develop an in-depth naturalistic knowledge of (semi-natural) ecosystems in Belgium. The integration into research of quantitative analysis methods (e.g. -omics approaches, ecological modelling, analysis of ecological data) is also desired. Research will necessarily have to focus on study systems allowing the involvement of stakeholders outside the university ("science-policy gap bridging") and directly related to the conservation of biodiversity in temperate Western Europe (including in Belgium).

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.

Who we’re looking for

• Education

You have a PhD in Biology (or in a domain that can be considered as equivalent). 

You have extended experience abroad or at least outside your home institution.

• 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.

• 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: 

You show an interest in popularizing science and raising awareness in society and the general public of the challenges and solutions related to the biodiversity crisis.

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 2024 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: Monday, November 13th at noon (UTC+1 Time Zone)

Starting date: September 1st 2024 

Location:

Science and Technology Sector
Faculty of Science (SC) (https://uclouvain.be/fr/facultes/SC)
Earth and Life Institute (ELI) (https://uclouvain.be/fr/instituts-recherche/ELI) 

Need more information?

Questions about this position?

Prof. Pascal Lambrechts, Dean SC – doyen-sc@uclouvain.be
Prof. Marnik Vanclooster, President ELI – president-eli@uclouvain.be

Questions about the procedure?
Cécile Lion, Rector’s Office, cecile.lion@uclouvain.be

Questions about online application?
Andreea Chiriac, Rector’s Office, secretariat-vrpp@uclouvain.be

Interested?

Apply only via the online application (applications submitted via any other channel will not be considered). 
To be considered, your application must contain within a single PDF:  

For full details of the application : https://uclouvain.be/fr/emploi/candidature-aca.html