An Academic in French Literature

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

The Saint-Louis - Brussels campus (until recently Université Saint-Louis - Brussels) is characterized by its focus on humanities and social sciences, its pioneering experience in evening and Saturday classes, its 30-year record of successful multilingual initiatives, and the specialization and influence of its center and research institute, the IRIS-L, in several cutting-edge sectors. This perspective coheres with a desire to promote interdisciplinarity where appropriate, a culture of proximity and a focus on human relations in all our activities, and a resolute openness to the economic, social, cultural and religious diversity characteristic of the Brussels-Capital Region, the main seat of the European Union's institutions and the capital of the Belgian State. 

Post description

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

• Teaching 

Teaching duties will focus on the history of modern and contemporary French literature (late sixteenth - twentieth centuries), as well as on the analysis of literary texts and on issues of philology.

• Research

You will be attached to the IRIS-L Institute (an institute federating the research entities of the Saint-Louis site in Brussels), and more specifically to the Centre Prospéro - Language, Image and Knowledge (https://www.centreprospero.be). This research unit brings together specialists in literature and philosophy. The focus of the Prospéro center is on literary theory, aesthetics and the philosophy of literature.  

In addition to developing your own research, you will regularly take part in the life of the Center (regular participation in activities and development of new lines of research, organization of scientific events, solicitation of research funds, etc.).

• 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 French Literature.

• 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. 

You have an extensive international research network.
You also have experience in handling institutional responsibilities.

• 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: 

A specialization in literary history is required. Mastery of eighteenth- and/or nineteenth-century literary history 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 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
(PHLB) (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/PHLB)
(IRIS) (https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/IRIS)

Need more information?

Questions about this position:

Prof. Philippe Desmette, Dean PHLB – doyen-phlb@uclouvain.be
Prof. Isabelle Ost, Président IRIS – president-iris@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/en/careers/application-aca.html