Professor in Teaching and learning processes in the geosciences

In the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Faculty of Science, Department of Earth and environmental sciences, there is a full-time academic vacancy in the area of teaching and learning processes in the geosciences on campus Leuven.
The main mission of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences is to conduct high-quality scientific research regarding the functioning of geo- and ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales, including human-environment interactions and the sustainable management of natural resources. Members of the department contribute to education in various degree programs centered on geo- and ecosystems, including bachelor's and master's degrees in geography, geology and bioengineering, and master's programs in tourism and sustainable development. In addition, through the Master of Teaching in Science & Technology, the department also contributes to the training of future geography teachers. To strengthen this program and to develop research into teaching and learning processes in the geosciences, the department is looking for internationally oriented candidates with a research track record and excellent educational competence in the field of geosciences. Candidates are expected to observe teaching assignments in Dutch, hence, a command of Dutch at CEFR level C1 is required when you are recruited.

As a researcher on teaching and learning in a STEAM-domain, the candidate will be a member of LESEC. LESEC stands for Leuven Engineering and Science Education Center. It is a community of researchers and practitioners contributing to the advancement of education in the Science, Engineering and Technology group through research, networking and the exchange of experiences.
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Duties

Research

You are expected to develop an international-level research program that focuses on teaching and learning processes in the broad domain of geosciences and sustainability. Your research can focus on subject-specific themes within the subject of geography and/or iSTEM in high school education, as well as on teaching and learning processes in university education on geosciences and the broader theme of sustainability (sustainability thinking), which can be interwoven in different disciplines. Research into (geo)science education, the development and evaluation of citizen science projects, and/or the optimization of adoption processes for sustainability in society are also among the possible research themes.
We welcome candidates who link their strong scientific expertise in an interdisciplinary context to the various geoscientific disciplines within the department and to other pedagogical expertise outside the department. You will also set up partnerships outside the department, and will perform research in collaboration with the Leuven Engineering and Science Education Center (LESEC) of which you will be part. You will publish at the highest scientific level, acquire funding for research, expand international cooperation and supervise doctorates of international level.
The aim of the research is to contribute to the understanding of the teaching and learning processes regarding geoscientific subject content and sustainability, with the aim of increasing the quality and efficiency of education in the geosciences and integrating sustainability aspects more explicitly in our different educational curricula.

Teaching

You ensure high-quality education within the area of geography education within the Master of Teaching in Science and Technology, with a clear commitment to the quality of the programme as a whole.
You also contribute to the pedagogic project of the faculty/university through the supervision of master theses and as a promoter of PhD students.
You develop your teaching in accordance with KU Leuven’s vision on activating and researched-based education and make use of the possibilities for the educationalist professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.

Service

As academic staff of KU Leuven, you play an important role in society through your research and teaching, but also through your active participation in the public debate, and by contributing to policy-supporting projects for governments of local, European and/or international level. In particular, you will maintain the relationships between academia and secondary education in the domain of geography. You will take an active role in councils, educational committees, university working groups, in particular of the department and faculty to which you belong.

Profile

• You have a degree of Doctor of Science: Geography, Geology, Bioscience Engineering or related discipline.
• Having obtained a teacher degree at a university with a focus on geography teaching is a plus.
• You have a strong research record in the field of geosciences. The quality of research is proven by  publications in leading journals. International experience is an important advantage. Experience with subject-specific research in learning processes is not required at the start of the mandate but is a plus, while having a strong interest in developing such research is essential.
• You have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is an advahttps://set.kuleuven.be/LESEC/about-lesecntage.
• You possess organisational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also possess leadership capacities within a university context.
• It is important that you can immediately take up teaching assignments in Dutch. As a result, you will have a command of Dutch at CEFR level C1 when you are recruited. A good command of English is a requirement. If you do not have sufficient knowledge of English as an academic language when you are recruited, KU Leuven provides a training offer to acquire the necessary level of language knowledge.

Offer

• We are offering full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our university has a strong multi- and interdisciplinary focus, and strives for international excellence. In this regard we actively work together with research partners in Belgium and abroad and provide our students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.
• You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.
• You will be part of LESEC, the Leuven Engineering and Science Education Center. Not only will this help build a network of researchers in STEAM education, it also provides support in grant writing (by a project coordinator) and possibilities for joint PhD supervision.
• Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed as an associate professor.
• 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%.

More information

LESEC

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Patrick Degryse, tel.: +32 16 32 64 60, mail: patrick.degryse@kuleuven.be. For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
Add to your application following documents (more information is available on the KU Leuven job site):
- your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and service to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);

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