The Faculty of Psychology and Educa4onal Sciences (PPW) at KU Leuven has a full-time academic positon (ZAP mandate) available in the field of experimental clinical psychology. We are looking for motivated candidates with a strong research record and excellent teaching skills in the relevant domain. KU Leuven is a leading academic institution in Europe with a mission to achieve excellence in academic education
and research.
The research conducted at the Center for Learning and Experimental Psychopathology (CLEP) focuses on the broad intersection of learning and psychopathology, with a clear emphasis on an experimental psychological
approach to psychopathology. CLEP conducts experimental research in the lab to unravel processes and mechanisms involved in the development, maintenance, and reduction of emotional problems and maladaptive behaviors. The central focus of the research lines in this
research group is the role of learning and memory in anxiety and depression from a learning theory perspective.
Therefore, we are specifically seeking a colleague whose research aligns with the broad intersection of elementary learning processes and psychopathology. Ideally, the candidate's research also addresses the clinical translation of fundamental knowledge. Historically, this
unique combination of fundamental expertise and clinical translation has been a special strength of CLEP that we aim to preserve.
Duties
Research
The successful candidate is expected to:
● Develop or expand a strong and innovative research program in the field of experimental psychopathology.
● Foster collaborations with members of the research unit, the PPW faculty, KU Leuven, and relevant research centers nationally and internationally.
● Secure external research funding.
● Publish in international peer-reviewed journals.
● Supervise doctoral students in a high-quality manner.
Teaching
Teaching responsibilities include:
● Teaching in the areas of behavior therapy and the psychology of learning in the Bachelor's and Master's programs in Psychology.
● Supervising bachelor projects, master internships and master's theses in the field of experimental psychopathology.
● Contributing to the optimization and further development of education within Clinical Psychology.
The candidate should also be willing to participate in teaching related to first-line psychological healthcare as part of potential future
curriculum reforms. The assignment of teaching tasks will be achieved by mutual agreement and taking into account the
candidate's profile. The candidate is expected to develop her/his teaching in line with the teaching philosophy of KU Leuven based on
activating, research-based and practice-oriented teaching.
Service
The candidate is expected to:
● Take on internal academic service tasks within the research unit, faculty (including involvement in the faculty's academic practice center, PraxisP), and academic community.
● Actively engage in the dissemination of scientific knowledge to professionals and the general public.
● Develop a strong international academic network in the field.
● Establish (inter)national networks with organizations active in the field of experimental psychopathology.
● Be willing to eventually take on a coordinating role in Continued Education (adult behavior therapy, first-line psychological healthcare).
Profile
● You hold a PhD degree in behavioral and social sciences, preferably in psychology, or a related discipline, with relevant experience in the field of behavior therapy.
● You have a strong research record of international publications in peer-reviewed journals.
● International research experience is recommended, particularly academic work at an international research institution and/or involvement in an international research network.
● Given your teaching responsibilities in clinical education, it is important that you have a background in clinical psychology and clinical experience. Specifically, as you will be primarily involved in courses related to behavior therapy, it is essential that you are a recognized (cognitive-behavioral) therapist with clinical experience in that approach.
● You have excellent and demonstrable teaching qualities and are willing to further develop them. Teaching experience in the psychology of learning, behavior therapy, and general clinical skills is an asset.
● You possess (potential) leadership qualities and excellent communication and organizational skills.
● You have a collegial attitude and are good at teamwork
● The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in administrative meetings. Within 5 years of
appointment, the candidate is expected to acquire the legally required proficiency in Dutch (CEFR C1 level) to be eligible to teach
courses in Dutch.
Offer
We offer full-time employment in an intellectually stimulating and internationally oriented research environment. The candidate will be hired as an assistant professor in a tenure track position with evaluation after 5 years. Pending a positive evaluation after 5 years, the tenure
track leads to an appointment as associate professor. In Belgium, starting from the level of assistant professor, individuals have the right to supervise doctoral students independently. There is also startup funding available to initiate one’s own research line, and you will be entitled to apply for internal and external research funds as principal investigator.
In addition to your motivation letter, you also submit a research and teaching statement (maximum 3 pages each). The Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences values open science and supports transparent, reproducible research. Applicants are asked to document how they have pursued open science practices in the past and/or will do so in the future.
KU Leuven is well-equipped to welcome foreign professors and their families, offering practical support in immigration, administration, housing, childcare, Dutch language learning, partner career coaching, and more. To facilitate scientific integration and research in the initial
phase, new professors who are hired for at least 50% receive a starting grant of €110,000 if they do not have substantial other funding.
KU Leuven aims to create an environment where all talents can fully develop, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality, or disability. If you have ques4ons regarding accessibility or support options, you can contact us at diversity.HR@kuleuven.be.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Filip Raes, tel.: +32 16 32 58 92, mail: filip.raes@kuleuven.be or Prof. dr. Tom Beckers, tel.: +32 16 32 61 34, mail: tom.beckers@kuleuven.be.
For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
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.