Reference: 38733 / EDUC 006 / 2027
UCLouvain seeks to recruit
A full-time academic position in Psychology of School Learning and Digital Technologies
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.
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
Post description
Within the Faculty of Educational Sciences (EDUC) and the Psychological Sciences Research Institute (IPSY), 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 initial teacher education, within the various degree programs (co)managed by the Faculty, and in particular within the Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in teaching for Sections 1, 2, and 3, as well as the Master’s programs for Section 4 & 5, or in educational sciences.
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are those that train teachers to teach, respectively, from entry into preschool through second grade, from third grade of preschool through sixth grade, and from fifth grade through the third year of secondary school, in accordance with the guidelines of the decree defining initial teacher training dated February 7, 2019.
You will also teach one course in the master’s program in teaching for Section 4 & 5, in developmental and learning psychology and/or a course with similar content in the Masters of Educational sciences (FOPA), an adult education program. You will also be expected to supervise Master’s theses.
You will collaborate with stakeholders in the school system and professional circles within compulsory education.
The teaching load is largely carried out at teacher training colleges, in French, and may involve evening and Saturday classes. In this context, instruction will focus primarily on educational sciences and the psychology of learning.
You will also provide more specialized university-level instruction, in both initial and continuing education, on the cognitive aspects of learning, particularly as they relate to digital technologies.
Research
You will develop your research activities, including the lead of research programmes in the field of psychology of learning in preschool, elementary, and/or secondary education. Your research will contribute actively to the advancement of this field at both national and international levels, engaging with contemporary transformations in education systems.
This research will aim to deepen our understanding of the contribution of cognitive processes to learning, particularly in relation to digital tools. More specifically, the research program associated with this position should inform scholarly discourse and lead to advances in areas such as: cognitive processes specifically engaged in digital learning environments, for exemple, regarding memorization, informational and/or cognitive overload, attentional processes, and information processing across multiple formats; the development of a critical and reflective stance toward digital tools among learners and educators; and the effects of the digital divide on learning.
You will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses.
You will conduct your research within the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Socialization, Education and Training (GIRSEF) (https://uclouvain.be/fr/chercher/girsef.))
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 Psychological sciences or Educational 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 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 have a perfect command of the French language upon taking up the position.
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 models and theories in the psychology of learning, specifically in an educational context and regarding their cognitive dimensions.
You can demonstrate your ability to apply this specific expertise in the context of learning in a digital environment.
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.
You are comfortable engaging with experts in digital tool development because you have at least a basic understanding of their field (programming, machine learning, learning platform design, multimedia, virtual reality, etc.).
You have a teaching credential.
The following are additional advantages
You have professional experience in compulsory education settings.
You have an understanding of the compulsory education system in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
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
(EDUC) (https://uclouvain.be/en/faculties/EDUC)
(IPSY) (https://uclouvain.be/en/research-institutes/IPSY)
Need more information?
Questions about this position:
Prof. Mariane Frenay, Dean EDUC – doyen-educ@uclouvain.be
Prof. Isabelle Roskam, President IPSY – president-ipsy@uclouvain.be
Questions about the procedure:
Madam Céline Brauns, Rector’s Office, celine.brauns@uclouvain.be
Questions about online application:
Madam Andreea Chiriac, Rector’s Office, secretariat-vrpp@uclouvain.be
Interested?
Applications must be submitted exclusively via UCLouvain’s online recruitment system; submissions through other channels will not be considered.
Full details regarding the application procedure are available at: https://www.uclouvain.be/en/careers/submit-your-application
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.
