Reference: 36612 / TECO 009 / 2025

UCLouvain seeks to recruit

A full-time academic in Practical Theology

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

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and the Institute of Religions, Spiritualities, Cultures and Societies are the world's leading French-language institution in this field (together ranked 23rd in the QS ranking in 2022 and 2023).
Post description

Within the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies and the Religions, Spiritualities, Cultures, Societies 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 practical theology, in particularly questions of transmission and relevance of the Catholic faith in today's world and religious pedagogy. You will teach in the various study cycles managed by the faculty. You will also direct master's theses and be involved in continuing education and distant learning. You will be responsible for the aggregation in theology and religious studies.

Research

You will develop your research activities, including the lead of research programmes management in the field of practical theology, and more particularly in the field of transmission of faith and religious education. You will supervise doctoral theses. Investment is expected in research networks on the transmission of faith.

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 religious, 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 Ph D in Theology or a comparable field. You have completed this with an extended study period abroad or significant experience outside your home institution. A degree in didactics is an asset, as is a canonical doctorate in theology (STD).

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 work well as part of a team of teachers 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 multidisciplinarity.

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:

• You are available to take on editorial duties in the related journals of the faculty or institute (especially the journal Lumen Vitae and the Cahiers internationaux de théologie pratique).
• You are familiar with the situation of religious education in Belgium, or you are willing to learn about it quickly.
• You are a person of dialogue who likes teamwork and take responsibility in serving the people around you.

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

(THER) (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/THER)

(RSCS) (https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/RSCS)
Need more information?

Questions about this position:
Prof. Olivier Riaudel, Dean THER – doyen-ther@uclouvain.be

Prof. Geert Van Oyen, Président RSCS – president-rscs@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 Ph D 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