Postdoctoral researcher and design educator 100% I Project duration 3 years

Postdoctoral researcher and design educator 100% - Project duration 3 years

100% fixed term- Project duration: 3 years

LUCA School of Arts
Location: Campus Genk

LUCA School of Arts is a creative hub for nearly 5,000 people: over 4,000 students and 800 staff members. We provide an educational and research environment in which they can further develop their creative talents. We do this through higher-education programs in the broad domain of the arts and through artistic research, embedded within the associated Faculty of Arts at KU Leuven. LUCA has campuses in four cities: Ghent, Brussels, Leuven and Genk. LUCA is a member of the KU Leuven Association and the European University Alliance FilmEU.

The anticipated starting date is 01/09/2026 .

Assignment

You will work on a project aiming to strengthen the international visibility and attractiveness of the European programs and research at LUCA Campus Genk. The project focuses on attracting a diverse group of international students to the European master programs and establishing new European research trajectories.

Alongside this vacancy for Project and Research Associate – Care, the project will also recruit a Project and Research Associate – Sustainability, a Communications Officer, and a Project & Community Manager. You will join a team of researchers and lecturers.

You will collaborate closely with the researchers and lecturers of the Caring and Design Research cluster and with the European master Response-Able Futures .

As a project and research associate, you will work on specific thematic areas relevant to this domain and the region. You will establish connections between the theme and local organisations (profit, non-profit, cultural) and integrate the outcomes into the educational programs.

You will work intensively with the Project & Community Manager on defining the theme, implementing the project, and disseminating results, given the importance of local embedding. You will focus on one main theme, while making clear links to adjacent themes and establishing their presence within the international programs.

You will be responsible for acquiring various European-oriented research and educational projects that act as leverage for the research and educational activities.

Responsibilities

• In close consultation with the content coordinators of this project and the Research & Projects Office, you develop a detailed timeline and action plan, focusing on the acquisition of European educational and research projects in which local partners play a key role.
  
  
  • You map out a network of relevant local stakeholders.
  
  
  • You integrate local stakeholders and challenges into the various educational formats of the European master programs.
  
  
  • You deliver a (limited) number of masterclasses within the relevant European master programs.
  
  
  • Together with the research coordinator and project coordinator, you help define the project’s content trajectory and hold regular meetings in which you critically discuss progress and outcomes.
  
  
  • You participate in the meetings of the research cluster, the European master, and the project team.
  
  
  • You support the Project & Community Manager in developing a long-term vision and plan for the sustainability of the European master programs at LUCA Genk.
  
  
  • You attend relevant regional and local events to represent and disseminate the research and educational work.

Profile

• You hold a PhD with a topic linked to the broad field of design (product design, game design, interaction design, visual design, architecture, …).
  
  
  • You have experience with, or at least a strong affinity for, the broad design field and the topic of care.
  
  
  • You have experience with project-based work and acquisition, can maintain oversight, and meet deadlines efficiently.
  
  
  • You have strong organisational skills and combine a hands-on mentality with a highly reflective mindset.
  
  
  • You have strong academic writing skills and communicate confidently and fluently in meetings, presentations, etc.
  
  
  • You have proven proficiency in English. During the selection process, you may be asked to provide a TOEFL (or equivalent) certificate with a minimum score of 79. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset.
  
  
  • You are collegial and able to collaborate effectively.
  
  
  • You support the mission, vision and policies of LUCA School of Arts.

Offer

LUCA offers a full-time fixed-term contract (100%) for a period of 3 years in the position of Research Staff Member (salary scale 502).
The project runs for three years and may be extended.

Commuting costs using public transport or bicycle are reimbursed. You receive a teacher’s card, discounts via collective purchases, and the option to take out a hospitalisation insurance at a favourable rate.

While remote work is possible, we expect a minimum presence of three days per week on campus in Genk. Your work may also involve some international travel and occasionally evening work (e.g., attending local pitching or networking events).

Upon hiring, up to 10 years of relevant professional experience may be recognised. If teaching experience exceeds 10 years, all teaching experience will be taken into account.

You will join an environment where respect and integrity define our core approach, where sustainability and diversity are seen as assets, and where quality is our driving force.

LUCA aims to allow all talents to flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or disability. We welcome all talented individuals who recognise the added value of diversity and want to help shape an inclusive organisation.

Interested?

Your application file must include:
• a motivation letter
• a CV
• a portfolio including 5 relevant items (publication, design, research or educational contribution), with a maximum of one explanatory paragraph per item
• a diploma certificate (and, if applicable, an equivalence statement for the required diploma)

Applications can be submitted until 15/08/2026 via the CV Warehouse job application system. Only complete applications will be considered.

A first selection will be based on the application files. Afterwards, you may be invited for an interview.

More information can be obtained from Niels Hendriks, project lead: Het emailadres op luca-arts.cvw.io bekijken

For questions about the application procedure, contact: Het emailadres op luca-arts.cvw.io bekijken

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