What is the job title?
- In French-speaking Belgium the academic job title is “Chargé(e) de cours” (“Lecturer”). The title is automatically applied to those with little or no academic experience (less than eight years since the PhD).
- Those with more than eight years’ academic experience in Belgium or abroad in a position covering all three missions – teaching, research and serving society – could nevertheless be appointed “professor” straightaway. The decision, which rests with the UCLouvain authorities (the Rectoral Council), is taken on the basis of an analysis of the candidate’s previous career, including whether the previous appointment was temporary or permanent, the university of origin, experience in previous posts, awards, etc. (non-exhaustive list).
- The title “full professor” cannot be conferred on appointment, but rather only by internal promotion, in accordance with the Academic Staff Regulations.
Note: Lecturers may use the title “professor” as soon as they take up their duties, as part of their academic responsibilities (Art. 8 of the Academic Staff Regulations).
Is the appointment temporary or permanent?
In principle, the selected candidate will be appointed on a temporary basis, for a probationary period usually lasting four years.
If they deem it appropriate, the UCLouvain authorities have the option of:
- reducing the length of the probationary period;
- immediately appointing the selected candidate on a permanent basis, provided that, at the time of the employment offer, he or she holds a permanent academic post at another university institution comparable to UCLouvain; this can never be the case if the selected candidate is not fluent in French and English from the time of appointment.
The decision to modify the probationary period rests with the Rectoral Council.
At the end of the probationary period, the appointment will be confirmed as a permanent appointment if merited by the job evaluation.
The evaluation will generally focus on:
- teaching skills and the ability to teach in both French and English;
- integration into the scientific community and, more specifically, into a promising research team;
- integration into the faculty and institute of assignment, and more broadly into the university, both scientifically and in terms of relationships;
- the continuation and prospects of scientific production.
All of these objectives are defined individually at the start of the term of office with the vice-rectors for personnel and sector policy, the dean and the institute president.
How is salary determined?
The salary will depend on the academic title at which you are recruited and the seniority recognised at the time of recruitment.
What is the teaching load?
In the case of a temporary appointment, the teaching load is limited to an average of 90 hours (lectures) per year for a full-time teaching load and for the entire probationary period.
In the case of a permanent appointment, the average teaching load is 150 hours per year for a full-time load.
What are the social benefits for UCLouvain staff?
- Free public transportation: UCLouvain employees may travel to and from work free of charge by train or other means of public transportation (tram, bus);
Please note: If the successful candidate's place of residence is not in Belgium, travel expenses (between home and place of work) will only be reimbursed for one year from the date of appointment. After that, they will no longer be covered by the institution.
- Other benefits may be explained to candidates who receive an employment offer.
Do I need to take up official residence in Belgium?
Candidates who are not domiciled in Belgium are required to take up residence in the country as soon as possible (within 12 months at the latest if they are EU citizens), as their teaching and research responsibilities will require them to be regularly present in their office and/or laboratory. This also meets certain requirements of the social and fiscal legislation on employment in Belgium, as well as the regulations on the single permit (non-EU).
