Full-time academic position - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine - Field: Biochemistry of metabolism and of integrative systems

JOB REFERENCE:

PA260602

Full-time academic position

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Field: Biochemistry of metabolism and of integrative systems

Start date: 01/09/2026

The University of Liège is the biggest French-speaking public university in Belgium. It employs more than 5,700 staff members across four campuses, including 3,600 active teachers and researchers in all fields of the human and social sciences, science and technology, and health sciences. It hosts nearly 27,000 students of 123 different nationalities in one of the most multicultural and dynamic cities in Europe, less than an hour from Brussels and Cologne, two hours from Paris, and three hours from London and Amsterdam.

Actively involved in the social and environmental transition, ULiège supports students to fulfil their roles as responsible citizens (training in sustainable development, Green Office, etc.) and promotes ethical, multidisciplinary and open research. ULiège is committed to the region in which it operates and contributes towards local socio-economic development. It has developed numerous partnerships, notably with the university hospital. International and united, it participates in the European University of Post-Industrial Cities, UNIC initiative and has one of the most extensive collaborative networks in the world.

ULiège offers attractive career prospects in a high-quality working environment, promoting well-being, diversity and equality of opportunity. Since 2011, ULiège has been proud to display the European Human resources strategy for researchers (HRS4R) label, which reflects its commitment to open, transparent and merit-based procedures. In addition, it recognises the quality and diversity of research in line with the recommendations of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA). ULiège encourages its academic staff to travel internationally and welcomes international researchers through its EURAXESS centre.

JOB DESCRIPTION

A full-time academic position, indivisible position, in the field of “Biochemistry of metabolism and of integrative systems” within the Department of Functional Sciences (DSF). This position includes teaching and research activities as well as services to the community.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

1. The position to be filled falls within the field of biochemistry of domestic animals, a fundamental pillar of the scientific, medical, and clinical training of veterinary medicine students. It includes the teaching of metabolic biochemistry and cross-disciplinary modules covering biochemical and cellular approaches to so-called “integrative” systems (endocrine and nervous systems). The position involves approximately sixty hours of theoretical lectures and primarily concerns teaching at the first and second cycle levels. Participation in third-cycle teaching within the framework of doctoral training in Health Sciences is also expected, amounting to around ten hours per year.

The relevant first-cycle course units are as follows:

• VETE-0005: Biochemistry of Domestic Animals II. A complete first-cycle course focused on intermediary metabolism, major synthetic and degradative pathways, energy balance, and associated regulatory mechanisms ;
• VETE-2105 : Physiology of Domestic Animals III (Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology). Module: “Cellular and molecular bases of hormone action” ;
• VETE-2102 : Physiology of Domestic Animals I (General, Muscle, Neurophysiology, Thermoregulation, and Exercise Physiology). Module: “Cellular and molecular bases of neuromuscular function”;
• VETE-2065: Veterinary Pharmacology. Module: “Molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in metabolic regulation and integrative systems”;
• VTFE0005-1 : Final dissertation (8 weeks) [supervision of final dissertations].

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The DSF is recognized for its commitment to strategic research activities covering physiology, immunology, infectiology, biochemistry, and toxicology. In line with its strategic plan, the DSF aims to continue its strong commitment to scientific excellence and academic freedom, particularly in the field of integrative biochemistry, in connection with the “One Health” framework and the cellular mechanisms of regulation.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• developing a research laboratory of excellence in a strategic field related to biochemistry and health in the broad sense. This activity will represent at least 50% of the position, including the supervision of doctoral students and the establishment of an autonomous and structured research team built around a coherent, innovative, and ambitious project;
• maintaining and strengthening their ability to propose, manage, and publish high-level scientific research within their area of expertise;
• establishing or consolidating a network of collaborations within the University, as well as at the regional, national, and international levels.

Adjustments in the distribution of teaching responsibilities among instructors are possible. The final organization of the teaching duties will be decided by the departmental council according to the profile of the recruited person. By the 2026–2027 academic year, curricular reforms may also lead to the partial transfer of some subjects to the first bachelor year and an adaptation of the course units.

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY

1. Active participation in services to the faculty and university community is expected. These activities will include involvement in various faculty and/or university governance bodies (for example: departmental and faculty councils, doctoral college, research council), as well as in different working groups, juries, and committees.

2. The selected candidate will also provide continuing education.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED / PROFILE

Required qualifications

• Hold a doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field of Life Sciences, broadly defined;
• Be able to communicate effectively in either French or English, and commit to achieving a sufficient level proficiency in French by the end of the probationary period.

The candidate must demonstrate:

• teaching talent, including the ability to convey knowledge clearly, to engage with students, and to foster teaching based on reflection, common sense, and active participation;
• the ability to build, lead, and develop an autonomous and well-structured research team;
• teamwork skills, capacity for cross-disciplinary collaboration, and flexibility in pedagogical organization.

Evaluation criteria (non-hierarchical)

• Scientific excellence, demonstrated by bibliometric indicators weighted by seniority and disciplinary field;
• Sustained and recent research activity in the field of Life and Health Sciences, including the ability to apply for and obtain funding, an active collaboration network, involvement in project management, and (co-)supervision of doctoral theses;
• Credibility of the proposed academic development plan, notably the ability to articulate a medium-term (5–10 years) strategic research vision, taking into account local, national, and international opportunities and specificities;
• Teaching qualities, demonstrated through concrete experience (oral presentations at conferences, teaching activities, public lectures, pedagogical projects, outreach interventions, etc.), as well as a willingness to innovate and to engage in cross-disciplinary teaching approaches;
• Clear potential for cross-disciplinary integration, both with fundamental and clinical sciences.

Assets

• Hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree;
• Have completed a mobility stay of more than six months outside the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

1. Each candidate’s file is reviewed by a faculty committee, which selects the applicants to be interviewed, providing justification for its decisions based on the call for applications and the candidates’ qualifications and achievements. The committee then conducts the interviews. The interview focuses in particular on the candidate’s curriculum vitae, teaching and research plans, and integration within the institution. The selection process includes a public lecture.

2. Our institutional policy is based on diversity and equal opportunity. We select candidates based on their qualities and regardless of their age, sexual orientation, origin, beliefs, disability or nationality.

APPLICATIONS

Applications should be made using the online form available on the following website: https://my.uliege.be/portail/go_xt.do?a=o%7C11004%7Ce%7C639013. To be eligible, applications must be submitted no later than 28 February 2026 (before midnight Belgian time).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Cover letter;
• Curriculum vitae (download template HERE);
• Copies of diplomas and certificates;
• List of publications;
• Report on previous activities (teaching, research, and civic engagement), maximum 15,000 characters, including spaces;
• Document presenting the teaching project (maximum 15,000 characters, including spaces);
• Document presenting the strategy for developing a research team and research activity (maximum 15,000 characters, including spaces).

Any exceeding of the character limits will not be considered.

These documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the online application platform (see link in the "APPLICATIONS" section).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The position is awarded either for a fixed term of four years, or, in certain exceptional circumstances, immediately on a permanent basis.

If a fixed term contract is awarded, an evaluation will be carried out at the end of the third year.

• If the evaluation is negative, the person’s appointment will end after the fourth year.
• If the evaluation is positive, the person will be appointed permanently.

INFORMATION

Any information regarding the position may be obtained from the Chair of the Department of Functional Sciences: Mr. Thomas MARICHAL – Tel.: +32 (0)4 366 40 30 – t.marichal@uliege.be

Additional information may be obtained from: Ms Ludivine COUNASSE,Administrative Director of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – tel.: +32 (0)4 366 41 54 – L.Counasse@uliege.be

REMUNERATION

Basic appointments are made at the grade of lecturer.

The gross monthly salary at the start of the scale (on a full-time basis) is currently €5,992.58, to which is added an end of year allowance (in December) and a holiday allowance (in June).

In exception circumstances, the Faculty may submit a substantiated application to obtain a higher grade in the salary scale (length-of-service bonus).

The career of full-time teaching staff includes the grades of lecturer, professor, and full professor. Career development (after the recruitment grade) is possible through the promotions’ procedure, the terms and conditions of which are defined by the Board of Directors.

Please contact the Human Resources department for further information on careers, salary scales, and the terms and conditions of their application: Ms Valérie MELOTTE – Val.melotte@uliege.be

Benefits

• “Statutory” position which can lead to a public sector pension if the appointment is permanent.
• Financial contribution to private relocation expenses.
• Possibility of assistance with access to the labour market for partners.
• University of Liège professional relocation allowance of €2,500 for a full-time position.
• Initial and ongoing teaching training provided by the Institut de Formation et de Recherche en Enseignement (IFRES).
• Wide range of training courses available.
• Welcome seminar and introduction to the bodies and operations of the Université of Liège (two-and-a-half days in September).
• Meal vouchers with a face value of €5 per working day.
• Full refund of public transport costs between the home and the workplace.
• Flat-rate payment for travel by bicycle.
• Call for proposals for the allocation of teaching and research credits.
• Help with setting up research projects.
• Preferential rate for registration for a ULiège course, also applicable to children.
• Possibility of preferential conditions for taking out private insurance.
• Preferential rates and reductions in a wide range of fields - shops, leisure, culture, training, sport, etc. (Benefits at Work).