1. you have a doctoral degree in behavioral sciences, preferably in educational sciences, educational studies, psychology, or in a related discipline, provided you can present relevant experience and/or expertise in the field of educational policy in primary schools;
2. you have a strong research record with international publications in peer-reviewed journals;
3. Mastery of the Dutch language at CEFR level C1 is required at the start of employment, in order to be able to teach in Dutch immediately.
4. Proficiency in English is required
5. a good contact with the primary school network is recommended, as is international research experience;
6. you have excellent and demonstrable teaching skills and are willing to develop them further;
7. you have (potential) leadership qualities and good communication and organizational skills;
8. you are collegial and can work well as part of a team.
At the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences (PPW) of KU Leuven, a full-time academic position (ZAP mandate) relating to educational policy in primary schools is vacant within the framework of the new Master of Primary Education. This vacancy will have KU Leuven (Leuven) as its main location.We are looking for motivated candidates with a strong research record and excellent teaching skills in the relevant field. KU Leuven is a leading academic institution in Europe whose mission is to deliver excellent academic teaching and research. LocationWith the Master of Primary Education, the government and Association KU Leuven aim to contribute to strengthen the pedagogical and didactical expertise of primary school teams. Teachers will expand their knowledge and skills with research-based insights to investigate the current challenges faced by primary schools and to translate these challenges into concrete actions at both the classroom and school levels. With this vacancy, the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences aims to purposefully expand its teaching staff for this new master's program. This vacancy focuses on systematic research of and theory building on current (school-)educational issues and school concepts in support of a contemporary educational policy in primary schools. The candidate will be asked to develop a research program on a number of such educational issues and school concepts (e.g. on contemporary school models and projects, challenges around parent involvement, approaches to care, language and inclusion, issues related to authority and sanctioning, ...). In doing so, the candidate is asked to pay attention to how engagement with and meaning for concrete primary school practices will be realized. Provided the focus on educational theory development, different research approaches and methods are possible and perhaps desirable given the complexity of the research domain. In addition, you will be asked to initially teach a number of course in the master program in primary education and the associated preparation program and will be expected to take a leading role in this master's degree. We offer full-time employment in an intellectually challenging research environment. Depending on the candidate’s record and qualifications, she/he will be appointed at one of the academic staff grades. Candidates who have recently obtained their PhD are recruited as assistant professor in a tenure track position with evaluation after 5 years. In case of positive evaluation after 5 years, the candidate will then be appointed to the rank of associate professor. In Belgium, assistant professors are allowed to be main supervisor of a PhD and can autonomously apply as principal investigator for research grants. KU Leuven is offering financial resources to new professors to start up their own research lines. They can also apply for own project funding. KU Leuven is well equipped to welcome foreign professors and their families and offers practical support in terms of immigration and administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching... To facilitate scientific integration and research in the first phase, start-up funding of 110.000 euro is offered to new professors, who do not have substantial other funding and are recruited at least 50%.KU Leuven aims to create an environment in which all talents can develop to their maximum potential, regardless of gender, age, cultural origin, nationality or disability. If you have any questions regarding accessibility or support options, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.