An academic in Biochemistry
Reference: 37708 / AGRO 019 / 2026
UCLouvain seeks to recruit
A full-time academic in Biochemistry
Main campus: Louvain-la-Neuve
About us
UCLouvain is in the top 1% of universities worldwide. Founded in the heart of Europe in 1425, the university brings together 40,000 students and 6,000 staff members on nine campuses in Brussels and Wallonia. Research and education activities are organised in 20 faculties, 23 research institutes, 5 learning centres and 18 libraries. UCLouvain also has two university hospitals.
UCLouvain is a major player in the transition to a sustainable society. The challenges of the ecological crisis are integrated into courses and the university develops numerous local projects (such as a university farm and sustainable campuses). As a digital university, UCLouvain is involved in open science and education, and trains academics in innovative teaching practices through its Louvain Learning Lab. Thanks to two science parks, the university’s research benefits from interaction with 250 companies and 3 incubators, which is fuelled further by being at the centre of a region driven by technological innovation.
UCLouvain has a long tradition of international collaborations for teaching and research through partnerships across the world. As a member of the Circle U. European University alliance, the university offers a unique opportunity to work in an environment of interconnected campuses across Europe (London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Pisa, Belgrade, Aarhus and Oslo).
The position will be attached to the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (AGRO), a recognized player in the teaching of engineering sciences and technologies in the field of life sciences, in connection with societal and environmental issues, and to the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), which constitutes an ambitious research environment in molecular and cell biology and biochemistry.
Job description
Within the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering (AGRO) and the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology (LIBST), part of the Science and Technology Sector, this position will include the following teaching, research and community service duties:
1. Teaching
You will teach mainly in the field of biochemistry, in the various cycles of study managed by the Faculty. You will also be expected to supervise Master’s theses. More specifically, you will be involved in basic biochemistry courses for bachelor bioengineers, and even for other audiences, as well as in more advanced biochemistry-related courses (bioinformatics; biochemical analysis methods; other, depending on your profile and changes in course curricula). General chemistry (equilibrium chemistry) could also be part of your duties. Finally, you will be expected to contribute to integrative activities such as projects or internships, which are part of the bioengineering curriculum (at the bachelor or master level). Eventually, you could be the academic of reference for the “biomolecules and cells”, “human health”, “food and quality”, “food nutrition and health” or “data science” options.
2. Research
You will develop your research activities, including the lead of research programmes, in the field of biochemistry or molecular biology. You will be responsible for the supervision of PhD theses. More specifically, your research activities will be closely linked to one or more of the LIBST Institute's research areas (biomembranes and biological surfaces, protein and genome dynamics, cell metabolism, stress responses and adaptations, developmental processes, nutrition or toxicology), and will draw on innovative approaches such as genetic engineering, advanced imaging, “-omics” approaches, etc. Your research activities will have a strong link with your teaching, ensuring continuity between biochemistry/molecular biology and their application in the “food/health” or “biotechnology” areas covered by the AGRO Faculty. Expertise in the development of analytical methods, from data acquisition to treatment, will be an asset.
3. In addition …
Once tenured, you will carry out various service activities and responsibilities within the institution, such as being a member of a programme committee or examination committee, or having management responsibilities within the faculty or research institute. You will also contribute to serving society, particularly in the economic, social, cultural or development cooperation fields. Finally, you will ensure, through research and teaching activities, the university’s international visibility. Depending on your expertise, you could be involved in the management of technology platforms such as MASSPROT, IMABIOL, CICN, FERM, MOCA, MASSMET, etc.
Who we’re looking for
4. Education
You have a PhD in Agricultural Sciences and Biological Engineering, chemical sciences, life sciences, veterinary sciences or a comparable PhD degree, with a specialization in biochemistry/molecular biology.
5. Experience
You have a proven track record in university teaching, with evidence where possible by formal evaluations. Your scientific experience is demonstrated by publications of international standing.
You have supplemented this with an extended stay or significant experience abroad, outside the institution that awarded your doctorate.
6. Skills
You are comfortable working as part of a team of academics and integrate research results into your teaching. You are capable of conducting high-level scientific research, from obtaining funding to team management. You are creative, open to pedagogical innovation and multidisciplinary.
You can communicate in French and English. If this is not the case, you undertake to acquire a command of these two languages within two years of taking up your position. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
Specifically:
- You are motivated and equipped to teach large groups of students at the beginning of their bachelor’s degree.
- You can demonstrate a versatile scientific culture and have a great ability to establish links between disciplines related to bioengineering, at the crossroads between life and engineering sciences, which will enable you to lead integrative teaching activities (projects, internships).
What we offer
7. Tenure after positive assessment of the probationary period – typically four years. This type of career entitles you to a public sector pension.
8. Appointment as lecturer or professor according to your previous academic experience, as determined by the Rectoral Council.
9. Teaching load capped at 90 hours for a full-time tenure-track position, and 150 hours once tenured.
10. An attractive and progressive salary according to seniority and the promotion process.
11. A start date of 1 September 2026 at the earliest.
12. An integrated leadership and management training programme, including a range of pedagogical, linguistic and other training courses.
13. Benefits including transport, family, culture, commercial, etc.
14. Official policy that supports equal opportunities and promotes diversity within academic and all other categories of staff.
15. Specific emphasis on a work-life balance.
Practical Information
Application deadline: Wednesday 12, November 2025 at noon (UTC+1 Time Zone)
Starting date: 1stSeptember2026
Need more information?
Interested?
Apply only via the online application (applications submitted via any other channel will not be considered).
To be considered, your application must contain within a single PDF:
16. motivation letter (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile);
17. current curriculum vitae (to be included in the single PDF as well as in your candidate profile);
18. copy of your official PhD diploma;
19. full publication list and summary of 3 most significant recent publications;
20. research strategy, i.e. your future 5-year research programme;
21. teaching programme, i.e. your vision and teaching methods;
22. If you are shortlisted and invited to an audition, you will be asked to submit: a Ph. D. project, with a view to taking on a doctoral student in the first year of your appointment; 3 to 5 letters of recommendation must be uploaded by your referees in accordance with the instructions you will be given.