Permanent full-time scientific position - Faculty of Sciences - Field: Marine Biology

JOB REFERENCE:

PSRA260301

Permanent full-time scientific position

Faculty of Sciences

Field: Marine Biology

Start date: 01/12/2026

The University of Liège is the largest 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

The full-time position as first assistant in the field of Marine Biology within the Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution. This post, based in Liège, will provide support to practical and field teaching (Master’s in Oceanography, MER, ECT+, Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences, Master’s in Biology of Organisms and Ecology) and will ensure smooth relations between Uliège and the STARESO SAS station (a public-private partnership) regarding national and international research into marine biology/ecology in the field.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

In accordance with their fields of expertise, the candidate will participate in the organisation of practical work and field internships for the Master’s in Oceanography, ERASMUS Mundus MER and ECT+, the Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and the Master’s in the Biology of Organisms and Ecology.

They will also contribute towards preparing and invigilating exams, supervising and jointly supervising dissertations, and supervising and jointly supervising doctoral theses.

By means of example, the assistant may intervene in the following courses:

Bachelor’s level

Supervising practical/field activities:

• The Study of oceans and coastal management (OCEA0053-1, 40 hours TD, 6 days internship at STARESO in July, 15-20 students)
• Biodiversity and Ecology – Field internships (BIOL518, 11 days internship at Saint Malo, 55-75 students)

Master’s level

Theory and practice:

• Marine Ecology (OCEA0088 and OCEA0057 – 10 hours theory, 5 hours TD, 50-75 students)
• Internship (OCEA0088, 4 days internship in May, 25-35 students)
• Marine Ecology field trip (OCEA0057 20 hours TD, 8 days internship at STARESO in May, 25-35 students)

Supervising practical/field activities:

• Biological Oceanography (OCEA0019 20 hours TD, 8 days internship at STARESO in May, 25-35 students)

The candidate will be encouraged to propose optional courses in relation to their specialist subject.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

The general field of research is Marine Biology in the field, including research work aiming to study communities of unicellular and/or multicellular marine organisms, in relation to their environment.

The applicant will develop international-level innovative research and may draw on the tools available within the laboratories in the department, the related research units and the STARESO SAS station. This research must align with the statements, objectives and outlooks set out by the European Marine Board (www.marineboard.eu) in its “Navigating the Future VI – Position Paper 28 – 2024” document, to which ULiège contributed and which sets out, at the European level, areas for short-, medium- and long-term research in the field of oceanography (including marine biology). The successful applicant will be based at ULiège, will conduct part of their research at the Underwater and Oceanographic Research Station (Calvi) in the Mediterranean and may explore other geographic areas over the course of their career.

SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY

The selected candidate will join the Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution (BEE) and will participate in the various activities and missions of the BEE Department and the Faculty of Science, including:

• Promoting and managing relations between the STARESO SAS station and ULiège, supporting research and teaching collaborations in marine biology, in line with the University’s strategy and the strategic direction of the STARESO SAS station.
• Representing ULiège to STARESO SAS and other relevant regional, national and international bodies.
• Promoting courses in Oceanography and Biology (student fairs, Master Day, welcome day).
• Establishing connections with professionals in the field.
• Promoting research results with the general public.
• Active involvement in various bodies within the University.
• Providing administrative and logistical help with the Master’s ERASMUS Mundus MER, ECT+ internships
• Participating in the organisation of the CORSICA competition organised by Uliège.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED / PROFILE

• Hold a doctorate in science (or equivalent qualification), at the latest by the date the application is submitted.
• Demonstrate research experience in the field of marine biology/ecology in the field and demonstrate a good understanding of marine and coastal ecosystems and related environmental challenges.
• Demonstrate strong ability to teach marine biology and marine ecology, both in terms of theory and practice in the field, at Bachelor’s and Master’s level.
• Demonstrate the scientific qualities required to design and run interdisciplinary research programmes in marine and coastal Mediterranean environments.
• Be able to teach and communicate in French and English.

Additional strengths:

• Hold a diving qualification.
• Have maritime navigational skills (safety rules, steering)(taking samples from a boat)
• Have post-doctoral experience abroad and/or demonstrate good integration and collaboration in international networks.
• Demonstrate research experience in the Mediterranean environment.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

1. The selection procedure will take place in accordance with the regulations applied within the University of Liège.
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%7C640426. To be eligible, applications must be submitted no later than 27 February 2026 (before midnight Belgian time).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

The following documents must be uploaded in PDF format to the online application platform (see link in the “APPLICATIONS” section).

Each bullet point = 1 PDF

• Cover letter.
• Curriculum vitae.*
• Copies of diplomas and certificates (including diving certificate if applicable)
• Research appendix: A research report including a report of prior and ongoing scientific activities (max. 2 pages), a research project (max. 2 pages), a description of planned integration into the University of Liège and how plans to effectively liaise between the STARESO SAS station and ULiège (max. 1 page).
• Teaching appendix: A teaching report including a report on prior and ongoing teaching activities (max. 2 pages) as well as a brief description of the vision and development of teaching activities in the field in relation to the position and proposed courses relating to their specialist subject (max. 2 pages).
• Complete list of publications.*
• Other documents required: A copy of five of the most representative publications of the applicant’s career (possible to use a hyperlink) and justification for choosing these five publications.

The format expected by the Faculty of Sciences for the CV and list of publications is set out HERE.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The appointment will be made for a two-year renewable term and may lead to a permanent appointment after an evaluation or, in certain exceptional circumstances, immediately on a permanent basis.

INFORMATION

Information about the nature of the position may be obtained from the Head of the Department of Biology, Ecology and Evolution: Ms Monique Carnol – tel.: +32 (0)4 366 3845 – m.carnol@uliege.be

Additional information may be obtained from: Ms Ninfa Greco,Administrative Director of the Faculty of Sciences – tel.: +32 (0)4 366 50 41 – N.Greco@uliege.be

REMUNERATION

The salary grids and their rules of application are available from the Human Resources Department of the University: Ms Valérie Melotte – Val.melotte@uliege.be