Full-time academic position - Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech - Field: Agroeconomy and development

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.

Within the University of Liège, the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech Faculty (GxABT) offers people the opportunity to develop their scientific careers in a creative atmosphere which encourages multidisciplinary approaches to cutting-edge research and high-quality teaching for the next generation of bioengineers. GxABT provides a supportive infrastructure, including professional development programmes, a welcome group for new academic staff, funding opportunities, and collaboration platforms to encourage successful research and scientific excellence.

Situated in the French-speaking part of Belgium, the GxABT campus is just a short distance south of Brussels, the cosmopolitan capital of Europe (30 minutes by train). The town of Gembloux combines the serenity of a peaceful way of life with practical access to urban amenities.

JOB DESCRIPTION

A full-time, indivisible academic position in the field of Agroeconomy and Development within the only department at GxABT. This position includes teaching and research activities as well as services to the community.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

The teaching load includes between 10 and 15 course credits, including: Policies and strategies relating to the food processing industry; International economics and developing countries; The economics of agricultural product sectors; Analysis of tropical markets; Project management; Political and social economics (taught jointly). The basic classes in the Bachelor’s programme are taught in French. The subjects taught, both on the macro- and micro-economic scale, must go beyond the agricultural sphere to take into consideration the specificities of the four Master’s programmes in bioengineering. The Master’s courses (Master’s in Bioengineering and others) may be taught in either French or English. The teaching load also includes managing or supervising internships, final dissertations, doctoral theses, and various projects.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Research should be developed on the following themes: Analysis of agricultural and food production systems; Problems linked to development issues, particularly food security and sustainable development; Agricultural policy; Managing and evaluating agronomy projects. Applicants must put forward a detailed research plan lasting four years and covering these themes. In addition, a concrete vision of research in the long-term should be presented, including how it would be integrated within GxABT and collaboration with other regional, national, European, and international stakeholders. These research activities should cover tropical agro-ecosystems, encouraging synergies with research activities that have already been developed at GxABT and which could be developed from the field laboratory. They will include, in particular, the preparation of surveys and the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. To support their plan, the successful applicant will have access to the existing research and technology infrastructure within the TERRA research unit of GxABT and can count on collaboration with colleagues working within these structures. This includes the technical and scientific human resources which are shared within the “Modelling and Development” research group.

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY

Activities relating to services to the community will be progressively identified, taking into account the needs of the University and the individual’s skills, in partnership with the deanery and departmental authorities. Depending on the individual’s areas of interest, they will thus make a valuable contribution to scientific communication, promoting the Faculty, and external and international relations, as well as to the management of shared research infrastructures.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED / PROFILE

• Hold a research doctorate with significant post-doctoral experience evidenced through high-level international publications in the relevant field;
• Demonstrate solid field experience in a country in the South;
• Show evidence of recognised international collaborations relevant to the themes of the vacancy and a desire to develop these partnerships;
• Demonstrate the skills to fund and lead scientific research and lead a research team;
• Demonstrate the ability to teach in French and English or commit to be able to do so within two years of being appointed. Where relevant, prior teaching activities should be mentioned;
• Be able to work within a research and teaching team encompassing different disciplines and be able to use the human and material resources which are shared within GxABT and Uliège, as well as to develop research and development activities in partnership with other stakeholders;
• Be available for various events relating to services to the community;
• Have good communication skills;
• Adhere to the quality management and continuous improvement system established by the University.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Applications will be examined by a Faculty Committee responsible for selecting applicants to be interviewed. They will explain their decisions in terms of this vacancy notice and the applicants’ qualifications and skills. The Faculty Committee will conduct interviews, which will cover the applicants’ CVs, their teaching and research plans, integration into the University, and French and English skills. The interview will include a mock teaching exercise, the modalities of which will be set by the Faculty Committee. This interview should be held – in principle – before the end of 2025 or at the start of 2026. 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%7C626368. To be eligible, applications must be submitted no later than 05/12/2025 (before midnight Belgian time).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Cover letter (one page, highlighting the applicant’s strengths in relation to the vacancy and explaining their reasons for applying for the position).
• Curriculum vitae strictly following the model which can be downloaded HERE.
• Copies of diplomas and certificates.
• Copies of the most representative publications (maximum five).
• Teaching plan (maximum 5 pages, including a long-term vision of teaching and its practical implementation over the coming four years).
• Research plan (maximum 5 pages, including a long-term vision of research in the applicant’s future team and its practical implementation over the coming four years).
• Plan for developing services to the community and integration within Uliège (maximum 1 page).

These documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the online application platform.

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

Those wishing to apply for the post are invited to consult the Faculty website at www.gembloux.uniliege.be and the TERRA research unit website at www.terra.uliege.be to familiarise themselves with the organisation and activities at the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech campus. Further information may be obtained from the Dean of the Faculty of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, only at the following e-mail address decanat.gembloux@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 2025).
• Meal vouchers with a face value of €5.
• 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).