Research Professor in Earth Surface Processes in the Anthropocene

The Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, invites scholars to apply for a full‐time research professorship in the Research unit Geography and Tourism. This position is funded by the Special Research Fund (BOFZAP), established by the Flemish Government.

We are looking for motivated and internationally oriented candidates with an excellent research record and with educational competence in the field of earth surface processes in the anthropocene. The appointment is expected to start on October 1, 2021.

Applications will be evaluated in parallel and independently by 1) the KU Leuven Research Council in a competitive process across academic domains and 2) the faculty advisory committee. During the first 10 years, the teaching obligations as a research professor will be limited. Afterwards, the position will be transformed into a regular professorship.

The main mission of the department is to carry out state-of-the-art scientific research with respect to the functioning of geo- and ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales, including the interaction between humans and the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources. The Research unit Geography and Tourism conducts research and provides academic training in the interrelated fields of earth surface processes and climate, society and space, tourism research and education in geosciences. This research unit has systematically been given a high ranking for research and education quality by independent accreditation committees. The research unit has internationally renowned experience in studying earth surface processes. Pioneering work on process geomorphology, later connected to bio-geochemistry and landscape evolution both in natural and anthropogenic conditions have been performed here. With increasing pressure on the earths’ surface from anthropogenic activities (agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure, dams, ..), a process-based understanding of human-landscape interactions is key to understand and predict rapid transformations in the landscape and to guide adaptations of human activities. To strengthen these activities, the research unit is looking for an internationally-oriented candidate with a strong track record in earth surface processes.