An academic in Communication and Cultural Organizations

UNIVERSITÉ CATHOLIQUE DE LOUVAIN; Louvain-la-Neuve; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tenure after probation

Lecturer/Professor appointment

Teaching load flexibility

Salary progression

Start date 2027

Leadership training

Transport benefits

Diversity and equal opportunity

Job summary

UCLouvain seeks to recruit a full‑time academic in Communication and Cultural Organizations. The role includes teaching across the School of Communication, leading research in cultural practices, and supervising Master’s and PhD work.

The position will operate mainly in Mons and Louvain-la-Neuve, with collaboration across cultural institutions and local partners. The successful candidate will join ESPO/IACCHOS and contribute to international visibility, interdisciplinary teaching, and public

Qualifications

• You have a PhD in Information and Communication Sciences or equivalent.
• You have a proven track record in university teaching with publications.
• You have international experience and can collaborate across disciplines.
• You can work across Mons and Louvain-la-Neuve campuses and supervise theses.

Responsibilities

• Teach in information and communication sciences, culture, and sociology of cultural organisations.
• Develop research in social sciences, lead programmes, and supervise PhD theses.
• Contribute to service activities, committees, and cross-campus coordination.
• Collaborate with cultural institutions and engage with local and international partners.

Skills

Teamwork

High-level research

Pedagogical innovation

Multidisciplinary

Education

PhD in Information and Communication Sciences

Job description

An academic in Communication and Cultural Organizations

Reference: 38660 / ESPO 081 M / 2027

UCLouvain seeks to recruit

A full-time academic position in Communication and Cultural Organizations

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.

Within the Faculty of Economic, Social and Political Sciences and Communication (ESPO) and theInstitute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS), Social Sciences and Humanities Sector, this position will include the following teaching, research and community service duties:

• Teaching

You will primarily teach in the field of information and Communication Sciences (specifically in communication and culture) and the sociology of cultural organisations. Your expertise lies in the study of organisations in the cultural sector, including in relation to issues of democracy/democratisation and cultural mediation. The courses you will be responsible for are part of the programmes offered by the School of Communication, which operates at the Mons and Louvain-la-Neuve campuses. The courses taught could include, for example: Sociology of Culture, Cultural Mediation, Anthropology of Culture, Sociology of Collective Action, Sociology of Professions (this may be subject to change). Your main place of work will be in Mons. Some of the courses taught could be delivered in collaboration with local cultural institutions. You will also contribute to programmes delivered in collaboration with the School of Political and Social Sciences, particularly for sociology courses. You will teach across the various study programmes run by the Faculty. You will also supervise Master’s theses.

• Research

You will develop research activities in the social sciences, including leading research programmes and supervising PhD theses, on cultural practices and organisations in a broad sense (museums, cultural centres, third places). Your work will focus on their modes of organisation, communication, and mediation, as well as on the links between collective action in the cultural field, citizenship, democratisation, and transformations in cultural policies. A strong theoretical background in the field is expected, along with the ability to connect your research both to the concerns of local cultural actors and to the international literature, as well as ability to conduct qualitative or mixed research methods (e.g. discourse analysis, mixed methods in communication research, organisational ethnography, participatory methods integrating art, culture, or communication). Part of the research will be conducted in collaboration with cultural institutions in Mons and the Hainaut region. You will join the Institute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACCHOS) and will also collaborate with the Institute for Language and Communication (ILC).

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 may also be involved in developing certificate-level training programmes. These assignments and tasks may require you to travel between the Mons and the Louvain-la‑Neuve campuses. You are also expected to maintain links with cultural and local organisations in Mons.

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 Information and Communication 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 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:

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

Need more information?

Questions about this position:

Applications must be submitted exclusively via UCLouvain’s online recruitment system; submissions through other channels will not be considered.

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.