The Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at KU Leuven invites applications for a part-time (60%) Professor in Adapted Physical Activity, focusing on therapeutic applications. You will be part of the renowned research group 'Adapted Physical Activity and Psychomotor Rehabilitation', which is embedded within the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences under the Biomedical Sciences Group. Our department consistently ranks highly in research and teaching quality, as assessed by independent accreditation committees.
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Duties
Research
As a successful candidate, you will develop an innovative research program centered on adapted physical activities for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities and/or neurological or psychiatric conditions. Your research will emphasize participation and integration within mainstream or G-sport (adaptive sports) activities. The practical implementation of your research could also contribute to G-sport policies in Flanders or Europe.
You will leverage both national and international networks to enhance your research impact and actively seek collaboration with colleagues from other research groups within the department. You will also have the opportunity to engage with rehabilitation departments at the University Hospitals Leuven (UZ Leuven), specifically UZ Pellenberg.
Your research findings will be published in leading academic journals, and you will secure funding for your work. You will further build on your international collaborations and supervise PhD candidates. The practical application of your research results, particularly in clinical practice or societal settings, is a key aspect of your role.
Teaching
You will deliver high-quality education in the field of Adapted Physical Activity, teaching both Bachelor’s and Master’s students within the Rehabilitation Sciences and Movement Sciences programs. You will also teach integrative case studies in Rehabilitation Sciences and take a leading role in organizing Bachelor internships for students in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy.
In these tasks, you will collaborate with colleagues from the Bruges campus, and you will be actively committed to maintaining the high standards of education and innovation at KU Leuven. You will contribute to the broader educational mission of the faculty and university by supervising Master’s theses and PhD students. Your teaching approach will align with KU Leuven's vision for active, research-based education, and you will take advantage of the professional development opportunities offered by the university.
Service
You are willing to provide scientific, social and internal services, of course taking your part-time appointment into account.
Profile
- You hold a PhD in Biomedical Sciences (FABER), Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, Movement Sciences, or a related discipline.
- You have a proven research track record in the field of adapted physical activity, demonstrated by publications in high-impact journals and participation in international research networks.
- You possess strong teaching skills, and teaching experience is an advantage. Courses will be thought in Dutch and English, so proficiency in both languages will be required. Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required standard.
- You are a collegial team player with leadership abilities within an academic context, and you have excellent organizational skills.
- The working language at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not have sufficient proficiency in Dutch at the time of appointment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable your participation in administrative meetings. Achieving proficiency in Dutch is required for permanent appointment.
Offer
KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that excels in both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is strongly interdisciplinary and collaborates actively with partners worldwide.
We offer you a part-time (60%) position in a stimulating intellectual environment. You will be based in Leuven, a historical yet vibrant city in the heart of Belgium, located 20 minutes from Brussels and less than two hours from Paris, London, and Amsterdam.
Depending on your experience and qualifications, you will be appointed in one of the ranks of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, full professor, or senior full professor. Junior researchers typically start as assistant professors on a tenure track for five years, with the potential for a permanent appointment as an associate professor following a positive evaluation.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching,...
To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant of 110.000 euro is offered to new professors without substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Thierry Troosters, tel.: +32 16 33 07 98, mail: thierry.troosters@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Davy Vancampfort, tel.: +32 16 37 65 64, mail: davy.vancampfort@kuleuven.be. For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.
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.
