About the employer

KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.

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The Work and Organisation Studies (WOS) research unit is an interdisciplinary group of approximately 50 researchers (professors, postdoctoral researchers and doctoral students) across three campuses: Leuven, Antwerp and Brussels. WOS employs researchers from a variety of backgrounds (including management, economics, psychology, sociology and history), who combine different theoretical and methodological perspectives to study all aspects of work. More specifically, research at WOS aims to expand knowledge about the well-being of employees and jobseekers, and about the organisational practices, policies and processes that influence the nature and conditions of work and the organisation of labour in society. Research areas include Human Resource Management, Leadership & Organisational Behaviour, Quality of Work, Careers & Employability, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Organisations in Society. The Faculty of Economics and Business has four campuses. This position is connected to our campuses in Leuven, Brussels and Antwerp. KU Leuven is a research-intensive institution and is Europe s most innovative university (ranked first in the Reuters ranking).

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Responsibilities

Research:

You are an ambitious, internationally oriented researcher with specific expertise related to (strategic) HRM in SMEs. You are able to further develop this research line independently and aim to publish internationally. You have a strong interest in fundamental research while also paying attention to the valorisation and societal impact of your research.

Teaching:

You will teach the Strategic HRM course at the Brussels campus and the Personnel and Organisation course at the Antwerp campus.

Profile

You hold a doctoral degree in the Humanities and Social Sciences (e.g. applied economics, psychology, sociology or educational sciences), or you will defend your doctorate in the very near future;
You have research experience in themes related to WOS s key research areas. You have a record of scientific output to support this (e.g. conference presentations and publications in academic journals);
You have strong writing skills and an analytical and critical mindset;
You have an excellent command of English and Dutch, both written and spoken;
You are collegial, have a proactive and autonomous work attitude, and have a strong affinity for scientific research;
Teaching experience is a plus.

Offer

A 60% appointment as a postdoctoral assistant in a stimulating work environment for the period from 1 November 2026 to 31 August 2027.
This position is remunerated according to salary scale 44.
The main place of employment is the Leuven campus.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Sophie De Winne, mail: sophie.dewinne@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. .