Academic staff socio-ecological inclusion and sustainability transitions

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp 

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape. 

The Faculty of Social Sciences has the following full-time (100%) vacancy:

Academic staff in the field of Socio-ecological inclusion and sustainability transitions

As a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP), you will contribute to the University of Antwerp’s three core tasks: education, research and services. Your role may also include organisational and managerial aspects. 

Education 

• You will provide high-quality education in the new interuniversity MA in Sustainability Transitions and Socio-ecological Justice, a master program organized by the University of Antwerp (Faculty of Social Sciences), University of Ghent and the Free University of Brussels.
• You will (co-)teach the following courses in Dutch: ‘Socio-ecological justice and inclusion’ (6 ECTS), ‘Methods and skills in transition practices’ (6 ECTS), ‘Master thesis studio: transdisciplinary research’ (6 ECTS) (x2).
• The University of Antwerp’s contribution of expertise to the new master program focuses on (1) socio-ecological inclusion along different axes (class, gender, ethnicity, age, etc.); (2) the transformation of institutions along socio-ecological lines; and (3) methods and skills for social inclusion in sustainability transitions.
• You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes. Given the strong transdisciplinary nature of the new master program, you will be expected to disseminate the experiences of the programme with transdisciplinary teaching to the academic and practitioner community.
• You will supervise students and their Master dissertations.

Research 

• You will expand high-quality social scientific research on socio-ecological inclusion and the socially (un)just nature of sustainability transitions and the transformation of institutions along socio-ecological lines.
• You will acquire and manage national and international research funding. 
• You will publish in international journals.
• You will develop an international scientific network.
• You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

Services 

• You will play a role in the provision of both academic services, amongst others in the educational commission of the new interuniversity master program, and service to society, within the institution and externally.
• You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, and so on. 

Profile 

• You hold a PhD in Social Sciences, Human Geography, Anthropology, Spatial Planning or Educational Science.
• You can demonstrate two years of postdoctoral experience (or equivalent).
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies. You have established an excellent research portfolio.
• Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision. You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• The master program is fully taught in Dutch. You should obtain a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in Dutch by the time the master program starts (academic year 2025-26). The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations.
• A B2 proficiency in Dutch at the moment of hiring is highly recommended.

What we offer 

• We offer a full-time appointment as a member of the Senior Academic Staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP). The level of your appointment (assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Junior ZAP members are usually offered temporary appointment as a tenure track assistant professor for five years, which is then followed by permanent appointment as an associate professor. Appointment as an associate professor or higher leads to permanent appointment (tenure) after a maximum of three years. A favourable performance appraisal is always required for permanent appointment.
• We offer, after a positive evaluation of a PhD project you conducted, an attractive starter package consisting of a four-year PhD project and €15 000 of consumables to boost your research from the start of your employment at the University of Antwerp.
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for Senior Academic Staff (ZAP) and calculated proportionally on the basis of your employment percentage.
• You will receive ecocheques, and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting. 
• The planned start date is 15 September 2024 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at the City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 21 May 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don’t forget to include the following documents:
  • (1) your motivation letter
  • (2) the completed job application appendix for ZAP with Orcid ID
  • (3) your academic CV
  • (4) a proposal for the structure of the course ‘Socio-ecological justice and inclusion’
• The prior conditions are conditions of admissibility.
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.  If you are invited to the selection interview, you will also be asked to propose a topic for a four-year PhD project.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact prof. dr. Stijn Oosterlynck (chair of the educational commission of the MA in Sociology, stijn.oosterlynck@uantwerpen.be) or prof. dr. Petra Meier (dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, petra.meier@uantwerpen.be).

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.