An academic in Educational Policy and Governance

UCLouvain; Louvain-la-Neuve; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tenure after probation

Lecturer or professor appointment

Leadership training program

Transport benefits

Diversity and equal opportunity policy

Job summary

UCLouvain in Belgium invites applications for a full-time academic position in Educational Policy and Governance within the Faculty of Educational Sciences and IACS. The appointment begins in 2027 and includes teaching, research, and community service duties.

You will teach in French (with English as a working language), supervise PhD theses, lead research in education policy and governance, and contribute to national and international collaborations and social impact initiatives.

Qualifications

• PhD in Educational Sciences or equivalent.
• Proven university teaching track record.
• Publications in education or related fields.
• Experience abroad or international collaboration.
• Ability to work in a teaching team and integrate research into teaching.
• Fluency in French; English proficiency expected; other languages a plus.

Responsibilities

• Teach primarily in political, institutional, cultural, and social approaches to education; contribute to research methodology courses.
• Supervise Master’s theses and participate in program activities.
• Develop and lead research programmes in education policy and governance; engage in national and international collaborations.
• Contribute to society through educational policy research and outreach activities.

Skills

Teaching ability

Research leadership

Interdisciplinary collaboration

French language fluency

English language ability

Team collaboration

Education

PhD in Educational Sciences or equivalent

Job description

An academic in Educational Policy and Governance

Reference: 38734 / EDUC 007 / 2027

UCLouvain seeks to recruit

A full-time academic position in Educational Policy and Governance

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 Educational Sciences (EDUC) and theInstitute for the Analysis of Change in Contemporary and Historical Societies (IACS),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 political, institutional, cultural, and social approaches to education and teaching, in the various courses managed by the faculty. In addition, you will offer courses in research methodology. Through your teaching, you will contribute to equipping students with the analytical tools necessary for a critical and rigorous understanding of contemporary educational dynamics. You will support them in developing the capacity to examine education policies through their discursive, symbolic, and institutional dimensions.

You will teach across the various degree programs managed by the Faculty, particularly within the Master’s program in Educational Sciences and Master’s of Teaching (initial teacher training). Teaching is primarily conducted in French and may include evening and Saturday sessions.

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 education policy and governance. Your research will contribute actively to the advancement of this field at both national and international levels, engaging with contemporary transformations in education systems.

You will be encouraged to explore the following areas in particular:

• The design, framing, and development of education policies, particularly in relation to emerging normative trends and frameworks, such as inclusion, digitalization, sustainability, professionalisation ;
• The evolution of education governance and policy, and their impact on institutions, organizations, and professionals;
• The implementation and reception of education policies;

You will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses.

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 Educational Sciencesor 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 teaching team and integrate research results into your teaching.

You are capable of conducting high-level scientific research, from obtaining funding to team management. You demonstrate strong experience in scientific collaboration and teamwork, whether through collective research projects, interdisciplinary networks, or institutional partnerships.

You are creative, open to pedagogical innovation and multidisciplinary.

You are fluent in French.Courses related to the position are taught in French. You can communicate in 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 have in-depth knowledge of current issues and emerging trends in the field of education policy and governance.

You have broad methodological expertise, including a strong command of various research approaches, particularly those relevant to your field of study.

You show a genuine interest in interdisciplinarity and in innovative approaches to higher education.

Knowledge of the education system in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is a plus.

A teaching credential is an additional 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

Need more information?

Questions about this position:

Location:

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