An academic in Geography of the physical environment and the climate

An academic in Geography of the physical environment and the climate

Référence du poste: 38632 / SC 041 / 2027

UCLouvain seeks to recruit

A full time academic in Geography of the physical environment and the climate

Main Campus: Louvain-la-Neuve

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.

Post description

Within the Faculty of Sciences and the Earth & 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 physical geography, with a focus on Earth Systems processes, including climate processes, and their multi-scale interactions with societal dynamics, as well as geospatial methods. Courses will be at the undergraduate as well as graduate levels and will include activities in the lab and in the field, in collaboration with the other teachers of the School of Geography. Where relevant, you will ensure the courses are accessible to students from outside of the School of Geography. You will eventually also take part in the teacher education programme in geography for secondary school.

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 physical geography, in relation to climate change, with an emphasis on the interactions between surface processes and human activities. Your work will adopt a systemic and spatial approach of human-environment interactions using quantitative methods (observational methods, experimental analyses, modelling). You will demonstrate your ability to integrate and collaborate with research activities in the Earth and Climate pole of the Earth & Life Institute and the rest of the institute. Your publication record should reflect your capacity to conduct research at an international level. Your ability to communicate your research effectively to both expert and non-expert audiences, including the public or stakeholders, will be considered an asset.
You will be expected to lead a research team, foster collaborations and will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses.

• In addition …
Once tenured, you will coordinate the teacher training programme for the School of Geography and 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

You have a PhD in Geographycal Sciences or in a similar domain.

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 are comfortable working as part of a team of academics and integrate researc