PhD Position: The Impact of Adult Education on Young Adults in Second-Chance Education
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
The research unit Work and Organizational Psychology and Educational Sciences (O2L) investigates the relationship between people, work, and organizations, with the aim of contributing to healthy, sustainable, and productive ways of working together. O2L conducts research on interventions to foster innovative education within the domain of Professional Training & Development & Lifelong Learning. Want to learn more about our research unit?
Website unit
Project
Within the domain of Professional Training & Development & Lifelong Learning at O2L, we are looking for a PhD candidate with an interest in adult education and lifelong learning. Specifically, you will contribute to research on the impact of adult education on young adults enrolled in second-chance education (TKO) at Centres for Adult Education (CVO) in Flanders. The project examines, on the one hand, the mental well-being of young adults in TKO, and on the other hand, interventions that support teachers and pedagogical support services in CVO's TKO programmes. We collaborate closely with participating CVOs across Flanders and set up learning networks. As a doctoral researcher in adult education and lifelong learning, you will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Sofie Cabus. In addition, you will provide limited support in teaching (e.g., supervising project work, administrative tasks).
Profile
* You hold a Master’s degree in Psychology or Educational Sciences, a Master’s in Economics and Business, a Master’s in Social Sciences, or another relevant social sciences discipline, with excellent academic results. Students who will obtain one of these degrees later this academic year are also eligible.
* You have affinity with and interest in adult education and lifelong learning.
* You have affinity with and interest in quantitative data collection methods (e.g., survey research, administrative data) and qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, learning networks, focus groups).
* You work in a structured way. Skills in planning and organizing (research) projects are an asset.
* The learning networks with CVOs will be conducted in Dutch.
* You have a good command of English.
* You enjoy writing and write well. Being results-oriented is an advantage.
* You are eager to communicate your results, both in scientific outlets and to broader audiences.
* You enjoy working independently, while also being able to collaborate closely with participating CVOs and the Research Institute for Work and Society (HIVA).
Offer
* We offer a full-time doctoral scholarship for a period of four years, subject to a positive evaluation after the first year.
* As a doctoral researcher, you will work in a stimulating and challenging international environment with a high degree of flexibility and autonomy.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. Dr. Sofie Cabus, mail: sofie.cabus@kuleuven.be. We expect your CV, motivation letter, and at least one reference we may contact by 25 May. After the CV screening, interviews will follow. During the interviews, we will ask you to give a short presentation related to the topic of the PhD. Applications for this vacancy can be submitted until 25/05/2026 via our online application tool.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
Application deadline: 25 May 2026.
#J-18808-Ljbffr