An academic in Psychopedagogy of basic learning in mathematics

 

Reference: 36736 / EDUC 002 / 2025 

 

UCLouvain seeks to recruit 

full-time academic in Psychopedagogy of basic learning in mathematics 

 

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 9 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 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'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

UCLouvain collaborates within a consortium of four university colleges (EPHEC, Vinci, HELHa and Hénallux), the UCLouvain St-Louis Brussels and the University of Namur  in implementing the reform of initial teacher training.
In view of these joint degree programs between UCLouvain and the four university colleges, the holder of this position will teach in the pedagogical departments of these university colleges, which are located at ten sites.

 

Post description


Within the Faculty of Educational Sciences and the Psychological Sciences Research Institute, Social Sciences and Humanities Sector, this position will include the following teaching, research and community service duties:

  • Teaching 

You will teach mainly in the field of psychopedagogy of basic learning in mathematics, in the various courses managed by the faculty. You will also be expected to supervise Master’s theses. 

You will teach mainly in the field of initial teacher training, within the various study cycles (co)managed by the Faculty of Educational Sciences, and in particular within the Bachelor's and Master's degrees in teaching in sections 1, 2 and 3.
Sections 1, 2 and 3 are those that train teachers from, respectively, kindergarten to the 2nd year of primary education, from the 3rd year of kindergarten to the 6th year of primary education, and from the 5th year of primary education to the 3rd year of secondary education (in line with the Decree of 7 February, 2019 defining initial teacher training). The different programs will open progressively: from September 2023 for section 1, section 2 and section 3 and from September 2024 for the Advanced Master in Teacher Education, the evolution of the volume of teaching hours will be progressive.

You will collaborate with school-internal and school-external professionals within the field of compulsory education.

Most of the teaching assignments will be situated at the pedagogical departments of the university colleges, courses will be given in French, and you may be required to work on evenings and on Saturdays.

  • Research

You will develop your research activities, including the lead of research programmes in the field of psychopedagogy of basic learning in mathematics, and particularly interventions through which teachers can support pupils' learning. You will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses.

Your research will be conducted within the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Socialisation, Education and Training (https://uclouvain. be/en/chercher/girsef). This field,at the intersection of cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, didactics and neuroscience, responds to a need to strengthen knowledge of the cognitive and affective processes underlying children's basic mathematical learning, which will serve as a foundation for the subsequent acquisition of numerical, logical and geometric skills.

  • 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.

You will be in charge of coordinating the teaching of psychopedagogy of basic learning in mathematics in Bachelor and Masters degrees in teaching.

You will be involved in coordinating teaching activities relating to teacher training.

You will be required to develop cooperation with partners in the education system, schools and higher education institutions involved in teacher training, as well as with stakeholders in the field of compulsory education and professional circles.

 

Who we’re looking for


  • Education

You have a PhD in Educational Sciences, Psychology or in a domain that can be considered as equivalent.. You have completed it with an extended study period abroad or significant experience 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.

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

You have proven skills in teaching elementary school mathematics.

You have a professional experience in compulsory education and/or in teacher training.

  • 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 in English. If this is not the case, you undertake to acquire a command of these languages within two years of taking up your position. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Specifically: 

- You will develop research within an interdisciplinary framework.
Knowledge of the compulsory educational school system in Wallonia-Brussels Federation and professional experience in compulsory education or teacher training are assets for the position.

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 2025 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: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at noon (UTC+1 Time Zone)

Starting date: September 1st 2025 

Location:

Social Sciences and Humanities Sector
(EDUC) (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/EDUC)
(IPSY) (https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/IPSY)

Need more information?


Questions about this position:

Prof. Mariane Frenay, Dean EDUC – doyen-educ@uclouvain.be
Prof. Martin Edwards, President IPSY – president-ipsy@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:  

 

  • motivation letter (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile);
  • current curriculum vitae (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile);
  • copy of your official PhD diploma;
  • full publication list and summary of 3 most significant recent publications;
  • research strategy, i.e. your future 5-year research programme; 
  • teaching programme, i.e. your vision and teaching methods;
  • If you are shortlisted and invited to an audition, you will be asked to submit:
    • a Ph. D. project, with a view to taking on a doctoral student in the first year of your appointment;
    • 3 to 5 letters of recommendation must be uploaded by your referees in accordance with the instructions you will be given.

 

For full details of the application: https://uclouvain.be/en/careers/application-aca.html